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As comfortable with his sexuality as Bull was, he still had a fear of “pushing” his sexuality onto other people—something he had been accused of most of his life by his family. I knew I would have to talk to Bash or Fee to make him realize he might lose something great by doubting his relationship with Logan and with us.

“Beth know you got eyes on her new friend?” Bull changed the subject, and I accepted it.

“Please. She’s loving it. Although at this point, if anything went wrong between us, I think she would choose Lilah over me. They’ve grown close. Lilah doesn’t treat her differently. Mom has been doing much better the last few weeks, less bad days. I’m not saying it’s because of Lilah, but I definitely think the positive influence, having their craft nights to look forward to, is helping.”

Talking about Ma’s health was hard. For so long, she was all I had. My everything when we had nothing, not even hope. With a story and a hug, she made the best of even the worst situations. Beaten but not broken. That was her saying.

Fat raindrops started leaking from above, splashing down onto our shirts as we hastily crossed the backyard to get inside. By the time we made it indoors, lightning was streaking the sky, and the main room was buzzing with people. Families that had their own houses had packed up to stay here, knowing the generator and supplies we kept at the clubhouse would surpass whatever they had at home. Maddox came running through the group of people, plowing straight into Bull’s leg.

“Unk Bull. Pick me up, pwease!” he asked, his smile looking so much like his mom, Bailey.

“Oh, good. There you guys are.” Fiona yelled from across the room, where she was talking to Match. Pushing through the group with Birdie in her arms, she headed straight for us. Bull was standing up, Maddox on his shoulders, giggling as Fee reached us.

“Here. Hold her.” Fee shoved Birdie into my arms before I could reply. Clumsily, I held the baby close, her small body scaring me more than anything I could imagine. I held her tightly to my chest, afraid that if I made one wrong move, she would slip. She blinked up at me with Bash’s blue eyes. The pacifier in her mouth dropped, her face scrunching in frustration. I could tell her temper was flaring as she struggled to figure out where it went. Before she could start crying, I managed to get the pacifier back to her just in time.

Red hair and a short fuse, just like her mama. Speaking off, Fiona was crouched, digging through her bag. The amount of noise she was making was alarming...What does she have in there?

“Aha!” With a victorious shout, she stood up, taking a minute to adjust her glasses. In her hand was the old, worn-out paperback copy of Mistborn I had lent her during her pregnancy.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to finish it. Birth and all that. But you were right. I loved it. Vin is a badass. I don’t know why it took me so long to read it. I ordered the second one.” Fiona loved to read—something we had in common.

Growing up, reading was an escape. I could pick any place in this world or another to escape to. Poems memorized, their cadence and phrases repeated as a form of meditation. Birdie poked my ear as if demanding my attention. Adjusting her in my arms, I held her close, rubbing her back in a calming motion.

“It’s a classic for a reason. At least the good part of waiting so long to try it means you’ve got plenty of the series available now.” I rocked from side to side as I spoke, Birdie’s head resting on my shoulder as her weight settled against me.

“No spoilers!” Fee yelled, and instinctively, I covered Birdie’s ears. She woke up for a second, looking around sleepily before dropping her head back down to my shoulder, pacifier forgotten as drool seeped through my shirt.

“See? I told you she likes you,” Bash said, coming to stand beside Fee and quickly tucking her into his side.

“Who? Your wife or your daughter?” I waggled my eyebrows as his face morphed to anger. He never used to get riled up so easily. Now, he was a full-on papa bear.

“Relax. I’m kidding. Glad I don’t scare the living shit out of your kid.”

“That’s not what he meant!”

“That’s what I meant.” The contrasting statements made me laugh as Fee stared Bash down. He shrugged, unbothered.

“Give me my niece!” Charlie swooped in and snatched Birdie from my arms. “Let’s go get you in your PJs and set up in the nursery,” she told Birdie in a baby voice. Without bothering to look back, she walked away heading for the fully stocked nursery the clubhouse now had.

“Thanks again, Scythe. This means it’s my turn to pick a book for you, though. Still trying to think of a good one.”

“You mean one I haven’t read?” I challenged. She scowled.

Guard and Cece entered the clubhouse, Bash and Fee excusing themselves to greet them. With a moment to myself, I took out my phone. Lilah and I had texted that morning, but once we got news that the storm was coming in faster than expected, it had been all hands on deck.

Eliot: Weather is gonna get bad tonight. Do you have everything you need?

I typed quickly, eager to hear from her.

Another half hour passed, and everyone had made it to the clubhouse. The storm was picking up speed outside, the rain falling in heavy sheets, trees and branches bowed in the wind. I checked my phone and was surprised to see no response from Lilah.

Eliot: Lilah? Are you okay?

“Yo, Scythe. I need a hand,” X called out as he headed toward the infirmary. The wind picked up, the heavy exterior of the clubhouse barely buffeting the sounds. Lights flickered, and a collective hush ran throughout the place. After a few minutes, the power shuttered back on, Keys coming out to confirm the generator was on.

Checking my phone again, a feeling of anxiety welled in me. Before I could make a decision, though, my phone started ringing, the care agency’s number flashing on my screen.

“What happened?” I panicked.