Page 120 of Cruel Hearts

“Do you like it?” she asks, self-consciously brushing her fingers at her hair. “You used to like my hair long.”

“You’re beautiful,” I say honestly, cupping her cheek and rubbing my thumb over her skin.

She smiles, but not the full-blown grin she used to display whenever she was happy.

I get it. She’s trying different personas.

I hold my arms out, and she steps into my embrace. Kissing her lips, I taste maple syrup. I lean against a chair, and cuddling Stella in my arms, I watch everyone eat and sip coffee and mimosas.

This is my team. These are my friends. Everyone from Denton to Douglas will help me do what I need to do to prevent Ash and his father from hurting anyone ever again.

It’s been a long time coming.

Mel hops up and pours two mimosas into delicate flutes. She hands them to Stella and me.

“I propose a toast,” she says, her voice clear and strong.

Paulo rolls his eyes.

She swats his shoulder. “Listen. We’re here because in some way, Ashton and Clayton Black have hurt us. They’ve tried to kill Stella multiple times. They murdered her foster mother. They hurt Quinn, almost ending her life as well.”

Stella stiffens, and I press my lips to the top of her head. “Shh.”

“They killed Zane and Zarah’s parents.”

Max squeezes Zarah’s hand.

“They’ve stolen our financial stability.”

Denton scoffs.

“They’ve taken our freedom.”

Nathalie looks down at her plate.

“We need to trust each other. We need to have each other’s backs,” Mel continues. “If anyone has an issue with anyoneelse, we need to know. Not to point fingers, but to resolve the situation. The whole of our mission is more important than our needs as individuals. I’m reminded of this every day I’m on the job.” She raises her flute. “So, I’d like to propose a toast. To those in this room who are willing to sacrifice. Or to those who already have. May the world be a better place after Ashton and Clayton Black are no longer walking among us.”

Douglas nods, one quick jerk of his head.

Paulo hoots, ready for action.

Nathalie sighs.

A look of confusion and fear crosses Zarah’s face, and she frowns. I’ll need to ask her doctor if there’s a way we can gradually expose her to everyday life without setting her back. Listening to details of what Ash and Clayton did to us and our family will be part of her recovery.

Max rubs her shoulder. “It’s okay,” he says and nods at Mel.

Everyone turns to me and Stella.

I raise my glass. “Hear, hear.”

Stella raises her glass, too.

As everyone sips and cheers, I catch Stella’s attention. “No matter what happens, no matter if we go our separate ways when all this is over, I promise to love you for the rest of my life.”

I tap my glass to hers and sip the sweet liquid.

Tears fill her eyes, and I pretend they’re happy ones.

Maybe someday, they will be.

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