Page 86 of The Pact
Because the only thing on my mind is the promise we made and honestly should have cashed in on months ago when we both turned thirty.
The pact.
By the time we leave the meeting, my head feels like it’s full of static.
Presley walks beside me through the parking garage, quiet in the way she gets when she’s thinking too hard.
I want to ask her to do this for me and the kids, but I don’t because I’m not sure I want to hear it yet.
So, instead, we drive home in silence.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Saint
When we pull into the driveway, Rhyan’s face appears in the window, both hands plastered on the glass, no doubt leaving handprints. Beside her, Remy lifts one hand and smiles.
My breath catches. This right here is what matters. Not the court, the Harts, my contract. Them.
I get out of the car, and before I reach the door, Rhyan throws it open and charges at me, wearing sparkly leggings, a dinosaur sweatshirt, and a tiara.
“You were gone one hundred years!”
I scoop her into my arms. “Feels like it was ninety-nine.”
“Too many!” she says, wiggling out of my arms.
“I agree, Ry.”
“Presley!”
Presley smiles and crouches down just as Rhyan launches herself into her arms. “Hello, my little dragon queen.”
“I made you a picture inside. It has blood.”
Presley blinks. “Awesome.”
“It’s from battle.”
“Obviously.” Presley smiles.
We walk into the house, and it smells like pasta and garlic bread. Alie is in the kitchen with Liam beside her, both of them somehow looking completely at ease in a house that was quiet before everything changed.
Alie turns and looks at my face and gives me a soft smile. “Dinner’s almost ready. Remy and Sera are watching a movie, and Rhyan is …” Alie looks behind me.
“I got her.” Presley walks in with Rhyan on her hip.
“Thanks for all this, Alie. It means a lot.”
“Saint, you would do the same for us. We’re glad to be here. Truly,” she says.
I nod and offer a smile.
“Come on, man. Let’s finish getting the table ready,” Liam says, walking over to me and patting my arm.
A few minutes later, we’re all sitting around the table, like one big family. It’s chaotic, but also … normal. Exactly what we all need.
Rhyan insists on sitting between Presley and me because, apparently, we’re part of her court. But I also think she finds comfort in being close to both of us.
