Page 77 of Cold Carnage

"Thank you so very much," she said, her voice warm with sincerity.

"No problem," I replied, picking up the bags and gesturing towards the parking lot. "Let me walk you to your car."

We walked in silence until we reached a small, beat-up Honda parked at the far end of the lot. I noticed the way she glanced at me nervously before speaking.

"It's not much, but it gets us where we need to go," she said quickly, almost defensively.

I shook my head, feeling a pang of discomfort. "I'm not judging. You're doing great."

She looked relieved, nodding slightly. "Thanks."

"May I get a picture with you and my son?" she asked, pulling out her phone.

I nodded. "Of course."

She handed the phone to an event volunteer, who seemed more than happy to help. Dylan and I stood side by side, and his mother joined us, wrapping an arm around her son's shoulder. The camera clicked, capturing the moment.

Dylan turned to me, his eyes wide with excitement. "Can I get your autograph? I brought my jersey but my mom says it's rude?—"

"Mijo!" his mother exclaimed, looking mortified.

I chuckled. "It's fine."

Dylan darted to the backseat of the car and grabbed his jersey. I reached into my pocket for the Sharpie Paige had handed me earlier before we started shopping. With a practiced hand, I signed the jersey with a flourish.

"Here you go," I said, handing it back to him.

Before I realized what was happening, Dylan wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. I stiffened for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden affection. But then something in me softened, and I returned the hug.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"Anytime," I replied quietly, patting his back before stepping away.

His mother gave me one last grateful smile as they got into their car. Watching them drive off, a strange warmth settled over me—a feeling I wasn't used to but found myself welcoming, nonetheless.

"I knew it," a voice said from behind me.

I turned to find Paige standing there, her arms crossed and a smirk playing on her lips.

"Ryker Kane has a heart," she said.

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Don't get used to it."

She fell in step beside me as we headed back into the department store. The bustling noise of families shopping and kids chattering filled the air, creating a strange sense of normalcy.

"You did good," she told me, her voice softer than usual.

I nodded, glancing sideways at her. "This was… fun."

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I'm sorry, did you just compliment me?"

My lips quirked up at the corners. "Maybe you're not so bad at your job, Adams."

"Thanks for the support," she replied with a grin that seemed to light up her entire face.

"So, now what?" I asked.

"Now, you go home," she said simply.

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