Page 30 of Echoes of Danger

“It’s one of the reasons we chose this land,” I admit. “We had actually planned to build our new clubhouse out here before we merged with the Obsidians.”

“Knox was telling me about that yesterday,” she says, still not looking at me. “Something about Taylor kicking the old club President’s butt.”

“Yeah,” I smile. “Something like that. It all worked out the way it was meant to, though.”

“Do you really believe that?” she asks. “That our lives are predetermined?”

I let out a slow breath, feeling her question settle over the silence like a heavy blanket.

“I don’t know if I’d call it predetermined,” I say finally, watching the way the sunlight catches the loose strands of her hair. “But I think… maybe some things are meant to happen. Or maybe we just find reasons to believe they are once they do.”

She shifts slightly, her gaze still fixed on the horizon. “Like what?”

“Like meeting the right people, being in the right place, even if it’s just for a moment,” I answer, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t think any of us are given a perfect plan. But I do think we’re given people who help us figure it out along the way.”

Finally, she turns to look at me, a faint smile playing on her lips. “So, do you think you’re figuring things out?”

“I’ve already had things figured out for a long while,” I admit. “I was just waiting on someone to figure things out on their end.”

Her smile falters, and a flicker of something unreadable crosses her face. “And what if that person never does?”

The question hangs in the air between us, unexpected, but I know she’s not looking for a simple answer.

“Then maybe that’s the risk we take,” I say softly, holding her gaze. “Putting ourselves out there. Trusting that they’ll catch up. Or… that they’re worth waiting for.”

She shifts, crossing her arms as if to guard herself from the weight of my words. “That sounds… painful.”

“Sometimes it is.” I swallow, my voice low. “But the pain’s part of it. You can’t feel the highs without a few lows along the way. And I don’t mind waiting. Not if it’s for something real.”

Her eyes soften, the hint of a question still lingering, but she doesn’t ask it. Instead, she gives me a slight, almost hesitant nod, like she’s holding something close. And for now, that’s enough. We fall back into the quiet, both of us lost in thoughts we’re not quite ready to share.

In the back of my head, I know that I need to be rushing us to the car, to King’s place, but right now, I want…no, I need this moment with her.

“I was going to leave,” she says softly, her head leaning against the tree. “I already had a couple of new nannies ready for you to choose after I left.”

“I know,” I admit.

“I wasn’t going to take Eli with me.”

“That part I didn’t know,” I say, shocked.

“Wait, what do you mean you knew?”

“Anytime my name, as well as the rest of the bodyguards, are mentioned online, we’re automatically notified,” I explain. “I knew the moment you placed the ad for a new nanny. Should have left my name out of it, baby.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” she huffs, tossing her hands in the air.

I take a step closer, feeling the weight of her frustration, but I can’t stop myself from reaching out. I tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, my fingers grazing her skin. Her eyes soften, and for a moment, I feel like I’m the only one in the world that matters.

“I didn’t say anything because I knew it wasn’t my place,” I tell her quietly. “You were making decisions for you and Eli, andI respect that. I didn’t want to be the guy who comes in and tells you how to live your life. Especially with everything you’ve been through.”

Her breath catches, her gaze dropping to the ground as if she’s trying to piece together my words. I take another step, keeping my voice low and steady.

“I’ve known from the moment I laid eyes on you, Delphi Mae… that you were it. I didn’t want to scare you off. I saw how hard things have been for you, and I couldn’t bring myself to push you into anything before you were ready. But I can’t stand by anymore.” I pause, letting my words sink in. “I want to fight for you, for both of you. I want you to know I’m not some guy trying to complicate your life. I just... I just need you to see that I can be trusted.”

Her gaze flicks up to meet mine, the weight of her uncertainty hanging in the air. I feel the pulse of my heartbeat in my throat as I search her face, desperate to know if she can hear me.

“You think I don’t see it?” she whispers, her voice trembling, almost as if she’s afraid to acknowledge it. “You think I don’t feel what you feel?”

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