Page 75 of Claim

Her nose scrunches up.

“He told you, didn’t he?”

“A little bit.” I don’t lie.

She sighs, stirring her coffee.

“I’ll have half, but you can have the bigger half,” she says with a grin.

“Deal.”

I’m not going to pry. I can just be someone there for her if she needs me.

“So, how does it feel having another sister-in-law?” I ask, twirling my wedding ring.

“Amazing. It’s nice for the balance of men to women to finally be even.”

She smiles brightly at me as I slice the cake in half, sliding hers over on a plate.

“I’m glad. I’ve never really had much in the way of family. It was just me and mom. I had no clue Jax and Katerina existed.”

“Well, you’ve found your way into a big and slightly crazy one now.” She brushes her bright blonde hair over one shoulder.

I hope I don’t lose this. It means more to me than I realized.

She takes a small sip, then looks up with her mug poised near her lips. “I have never seen Miki like this. It’s different, in the best way.”

“Really?”

She nods solemnly.

“Since the accident, he became an icy shell of himself. You seem to have dragged that spark for life back out of him. Even his eyes are brighter.”

Wow. I knew Miki was closed, but it’s sure nice to hear not only is he bringing me happiness, I am to him too.

There’s a pause as Lara takes a bite of her cake.

“Have you, umm, seen under his mask?” She almost whispers it, like it’s a banned topic.

“Yes.” I nod. “I have.”

Her mouth drops open and tears well in her eyes.

Shit. Have I said the wrong thing?

“I can’t believe it,” she mutters to herself.

That makes me sit up straight. “What do you mean?”

“Sorry.” She wipes her tears. “I just never thought Miki would find the strength to reveal himself. None of us have seen his injuries. We know what happened and we are all okay with the mask. We understand. But it’s a huge step for him. I’m just proud of him.”

She sniffles, so I hold my hand out across the table, taking hers and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“One day, he might have the confidence to leave the mask behind. But, I promise, he is perfect under that mask. The scars are there, but they don’t change who he is.”

She nods. I hope one day Miki feels like he can stop hiding. But I will support him however he decides.

“Thank you, Ana. Thank you for bringing my brother back to life.”

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