Page 104 of Searching for Valor

When he finally slid from the driver’s seat, a soft murmur of voices caught his attention. He paused, scanning the porch, where two figures sat on the swing, silhouetted by the dim light. His heart sank and lifted all at once. Rhiannon. And Pierce.

“You’ve been waiting,” he said, the words more statement than a question.

Rhiannon stood, brushing her hands down her jeans. “We weren’t going to let you walk into that house without talking to you first.”

Pierce rose beside her, his movements unhurried, his expression calm. His hands moved, signing, “She insisted. You know how she is.”

Rylan huffed a quiet laugh, the tension in his chest loosening just a fraction. “Yeah, I do.”

Rhiannon elbowed Pierce lightly. “Don’t let him fool you. He wants this conversation, too.”

Rylan sighed and ran a hand over his face. All of the tension of the past few weeks seemed to settle into his bones all at once. “Yeah,” he agreed quietly. “We’re overdue.”

Rhiannon stepped forward, her brows pulling together as she studied his face. “Are you okay?”

He shook his head. “Not really. But I’m working on it.” He motioned toward the house. “Come inside. Let’s talk.”

The three of them filed into the house, Rylan flicking on lights as he led the way to the living room.

Jesus, he hated that Valor wasn’t here to greet him in a huff about dinner being late.

He sank into an armchair, his prosthetic arm resting heavily on his thigh. Rhiannon and Pierce settled on the couch across from him, their shoulders brushing.

For a long moment, no one spoke. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken words and old wounds. Finally, Rhiannon leaned forward, her elbows on her knees. "Ry, we're worried about you."

Rylan's jaw tightened. "I know. And I'm sorry. For... everything. For shutting you out. For being—” He hesitated, then gave her a rueful smile. “For being a jackass.”

Pierce chuckled silently, shaking his head as he signed,We’ve all been there.

Rhiannon’s lips twitched into a small smile, but she said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

Rylan shifted his weight, turning his gaze to Pierce. “And to you… I was wrong. About a lot of things. I didn’t trust you, and I should have. You didn’t deserve the way I treated you.”

Pierce’s hands moved fluidly, his expression steady.You were protecting her. I understand.

“That’s not an excuse,” Rylan said firmly. “You’ve done nothing but prove yourself. You’re good to her. Better than I ever gave you credit for. And I can see how much you love her.”

Rhiannon’s hand slipped into Pierce’s, her fingers curling around his. “He makes me happy, Ry. I’ve never doubted that he’d protect me. Just like you would.”

Rylan nodded, his throat tightening. “I know that now. And I’m sorry it took me so long to see it.”

Pierce gave a small smile, his hands moving with deliberate care.Thank you. That means more than you know.

Rylan swallowed hard, his voice thick as he continued. “I’m happy for you. For both of you. I trust you with her.”

Pierce blinked, surprise flickering across his face before he mouthed, “Thank you.”

“So does that mean you’ll be my Man of Honor?” Rhiannon asked with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

Rylan barked a startled laugh. "Your Man of Honor? Christ, Rhee."

She grinned, the mischief in her eyes softening into something warmer. “I'm serious. There's no one else I'd want standing beside me."

He shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. You two aren’t even engaged yet."

"About that,"Pierce signed, his expression turning serious."I wanted to ask for your blessing. Officially. I already have your father’s but it felt important to ask you, too.”

He glanced from Pierce to Rhiannon, then down at her empty left hand. He snorted. “You’ve already asked her, haven’t you?”

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