Page 82 of Skin Deep

“All right, you two lovebirds,” Aleksi called and yanked open the sliding door on the van. “Sometime today.”

We parted from our embrace, but I held onto his hand as we walked back toward the van. I wasn’t letting him go; not now, not ever.

“Daddy!”Lettierandownthe porch steps as soon as I got out of the van and threw her arms around me.

I picked my little girl up and squeezed her tight, fighting tears. The thought that I almost hadn’t come back to her…

But that hadn’t happened. We were back together, and we were alive.

She seemed to sense that something had happened, even if she didn’t know the details, because she clung tightly to me and said, “Don’t ever leave me like that again, Daddy.”

“I won’t, Punkin,” I promised, kissing the top of her head. “I won’t.”

Tatty came down the steps and put her arms around War, who sighed and hugged her back. “I’m fine, Tatty,” he said. “We’re okay.”

She lifted her head and pinched his chin between two fingers, saying something quick and fierce in Russian before hugging him again.

I put Scarlett down because she was getting too heavy and starting to squirm, taking her hand instead. I picked up Charlie too, holding her for a minute, breathing in her scent, feeling her heartbeat against mine. I didn’t do that enough. I’d do it more going forward.

The four of us collected the few things we’d grabbed from War’s house from the van and made our way to the front porch where Xander stood, holding the door open, his arm in a neon pink cast.

Xander made a face when he saw War. “Bro, it’s so weird seeing you carry a diaper bag.”

“Get used to it,” War grunted. “How’s your arm?”

“It’s all right,” Xander said with a shrug.

I made it onto the porch and stopped to inhale the scent of freshly baked bread coming out of the kitchen. Beyond, I could hear the TV playing, though I couldn’t make out what was on.

River stepped into the hall and crossed his arms, eyeing Lettie. “There you are, tiny terror. Been looking for you.”

“Look who’s talking, Short Stack,” she retorted, hands on her hips.

“Small fry,” River returned.

“Shorty McShortface.”

River arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. “That’s the best you’ve got? I even gave you time to prepare.”

Lettie rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Grumpy Smurf.”

River snorted and jerked his head toward the living room. “You’d better hurry up, Mouse. Theo’s already startedZootopiawithout you.”

“How dare he!” She gave an irritated huff, pulled away from me, and stomped into the living room.

River looked War up and down. “So you didn’t die. That’s good. What now?”

War glanced over at Tatty as Annie came out of the kitchen, her glasses sitting low on her nose. “Now, we regroup. The job’s not done. I have a phone call to make, and then I need everyone ready to go at a moment’s notice.”

“You’re still going after the ripper?” Xander said behind us.

War nodded. “We’re seeing this through, but I’ll need help from everyone. Call everyone for a family meeting.”

“That can wait.” Annie shook her head, stepping forward. She wrapped an arm around War’s and started escorting him toward the stairs. “You’ve had quite a day, from the sounds of things.”

War pulled away. “I’ll rest once I’ve called Boone, Annie.” When she gave him a stern look, he added gently, “I promise. Just let me make this one phone call and then I’ll relax.”

Annie hummed, studying him carefully before calling out, “Shepherd, would you show Paxton to War’s old room? They can stay in there.”

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