Page 110 of Burn It Down

“And move out of that house?” Asher pushed.

“Yes. As soon as we get back, I’ll sort it.”

“Good. You’re ours now, sweetheart. It’s about time that was reflected in all things.”

“I agree.”

As sounds of celebration rang out, I grimaced.

This was a big step, turning something temporary into something permanent. This sort of commitment was a big one. Aurora making such a decision with all of this going on, all this displacement and danger, being in hiding, it worried me that she could be overcompensating for the lack of security prevalent at the moment.

I liked the idea of her having a safety net from them.

But, of course, Asher didn’t. Because he recognized it for what I also did… her not being all in, her putting up a barrier to keep them at a distance.

He didn’t like things being up in the air. He dealt in absolutes and that was where he was most comfortable.

Before I could think more on it, Asher’s voice rang out.

“Lance, you gonna emerge from the shadows anytime soon?”

Little shit.

I pulled from my cover and walked out onto the porch.

Aurora’s eyes lit up, harkening back to the days when she used to run and jump into my arms as a little girl when I’d come home from work.

That spark diminished all too quickly and she glanced around nervously at her boyfriends, clearly worried about my reaction and picking up on the tension that had swept over them all in response to my presence.

Asher took the cigarette from between her fingers and nudged her gently.

She came to me then and wrapped her arms around me.

I hugged her back, holding her to me. “You’re back,” she said, smiling as we pulled apart.

“He’s been back for a while now,” Asher said. “Isn’t that right, Lance?”

“It’s my prerogative to observe and analyze for my daughter’s wellbeing.”

“Dad, you were spying on us?”

“Spying is such an ugly word. I was merely taking an interest.”

“And?” Asher challenged as usual. At least his hostility was checked now.

“Dad?” Aurora asked, worriedly.

Dammit. I didn’t like seeing that look on her face. She’d been through enough as it was. Despite me not wanting this for her—them or this life—she was already deeply entrenched in it. And even when I’d pulled her out, she’d still been bound by it, to them. This was what she wanted. They were who she wanted. The more I fought against that and made my distaste and disapproval known, the more I’d drive a wedge between us, the greater the chance of me pushing her away. Maybe for good this time. Because she clearly didn’t need me. She’d demonstrated how capable she was and I’d determined the rest from my sources and spying.

I rubbed the arm of Killian’s hoodie she was drowning in. “I’m glad you’re taking care of each other. That’s what matters.”

“It… it is?” Aurora asked, incredulously. “To you, I mean?”

I swallowed down all the rest and forced the confirmation past my lips, “Yes.”

Killian and Jonah smiled.

Asher? Well, Asher couldn’t take things at face value. He arched an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

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