Page 56 of Before the Fall

“Look at you. All grown up now. Don’t be a stranger, okay? Just because you aren’t working for me anymore doesn’t mean you can’t come visit every once in a while.”

He extends his hand and I shake it. “Got it. Come back every so often, or I’m going to get a surprise visit from every Varens in this house.”

“You have to make sure to come back for Cason and Lily’s baby’s arrival. Or at least the christening. It wouldn’t be a party without you, Jaxon.”

“Damn right. Tell everyone I said I’ll see them later, okay?”

“Will do,” he says with a smile. “Take the SUV. I have a feeling you’ll need it.”

As I walk toward the door to go back upstairs to Tia, I roll my eyes. “Let’s not rush things, okay. We’re young. We’ve got lots of time.”

“Cason and Lily are younger, and they’re going on their second one,” he says behind me. “You guys need to catch up.”

For a moment, I get serious with him. “We have some stuff to work through on that front, thanks to your brother.”

Ryker frowns, letting out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry about that. Is she going to be okay?”

“I have a feeling when I tell her my news it’ll be a step in the right direction. I’ll be there for her.”

“You’re a good man, Jaxon. Don’t forget that.”

I shake my head at that idea. “That’s a first. I don’t think anyone would have ever thought to say that about me.”

“Well, you are. Go live your life and be happy. Just don’t forget us, okay?”

Stopping in the doorway, I nod. “Thanks for everything, Ryker. And thanks for not being like your brother.”

If Ryker was like him, he’d have no choice but to kill me to ensure I never leave the family.

But things are different now. Victor was the old way. Trafficking women, drugs, and guns. Killing anyone who crosses you. He never left the past, but Ryker knows the Varens family can’t live back there.

That’s why I know they’ll be fine without me. The new way doesn’t need enforcers much. Between the online gaming company Victor owns and the hackers he’s got working for him now, that world Victor and his kind have been clinging to will finally fade away for Ryker, Cason, and Kane.

I can only hope they’ll be as happy as Tia and I will be.

She’s sitting on the bed where I left her when I return to our room. I start packing her things up, and then grab my things to stuff into the bag.

Confused, she walks over and looks at my bad packing before looking up at me. “What’s going on?”

“Time for us to go,” I say brusquely, trying to keep the smile off my face.

“But I told you I don’t want to go. Not without you.”

Finally, I can’t hold back my happiness and smile at her. “Then I guess I’ll have to go with you.”

“What? What do you mean? Like driving me to my house and then leaving?” she asks, barely holding back the tears.

“No. I mean we’re going home, Tia. You and me. A fresh start for us.”

Her eyes grow big, and she throws her arms around me as the tears start again. “Oh, Jaxon! Really? You’re going to leave all of these behind? For me?”

“I can’t think of a better reason. Now let’s get going. We’ve got a long drive ahead of us.”

She kisses me and sighs. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you like the idea of living with me since I never asked and sort of sprung this on you.”

Tia gives me a big, beautiful smile. “I love the idea of us living together. Are you sure about this? I don’t want to be the reason you leave your life behind.”

I cradle her face and press my forehead to hers. “You’re the only reason I’d do anything, baby. I love you.”

“And I love you, Jaxon. Thank you for understanding.”

Holding her to me, I close my eyes and smile. “I hear that’s what good men do.”

“You are a good man, baby,” she whispers in my ear. “I suspect you always have been in all the ways that matter.”

That’s debatable, but if being with Tia means I need to be that kind of man, then that’s what I’ll be. She deserves that from the man who loves her.

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