Page 101 of Jolt's Vengeance

"You okay?" he asks softly, his voice pitched low enough that only I can hear.

I nod, not quite trusting my voice.

He doesn't push, just pulls me a little closer, a silent offering of support.

It's moments like these that make me wonder how I ever thought this thing between us was just a bit of fun.

There's a depth to Jolt that constantly surprises me, hidden beneath his easy going exterior.

"I'm glad you're here," I finally manage, my voice barely above a whisper.

His answering smile is soft, genuine in a way that makes my heart stutter. "Wouldn't want to be anywhere else, Aggie-girl."

The moment is broken by a shriek of laughter from Conrad, who's now wielding his telescope like a sword, chasing a giggling Sorcha around the room.

"Oi! Watch where you're swinging that thing!" I call out, more amused than actually concerned. "You'll take someone's eye out!"

Conrad calls back, not sounding sorry in the slightest. "Sorry, Aggie!"

Davina rolls her eyes again—I swear, one of these days they're going to get stuck that way—and goes back to tapping away at her new laptop.

The familiarity of it all washes over me: the chaos, the constant low-level bickering undercut with pure love.

It's home, in all its messy, wonderful glory.

I catch my Mum's eye from across the room where she's perched on Da's lap in his favorite armchair.

She gives me a knowing look, her gaze flickering between me and Jolt.

I feel my cheeks heat up, but I don't look away.

There's approval in her eyes, and maybe a hint of relief.

I know she worries about me, off in Vegas on my own.

Well, not entirely on my own anymore, I suppose.

"So, Jolt." Da's gruff voice carries easily over the commotion surrounding us. "How do you feel like prospecting is working out for ya?"

I tense slightly, unsure how this conversation will go.

Da's part of the Montana charter, sure, but Jolt’s forging his own path in Vegas.

Jolt, to his credit, doesn't miss a beat. "It's been an experience, sir. Challenging, but rewarding. I've learned a lot."

Da grunts noncommittally. "I bet. Vegas is a different beast altogether from what we deal with up here."

"That it is," Jolt agrees easily. "But at its core, it's about family, right? Looking out for your brothers, protecting what's yours. That's universal."

I watch Da carefully, seeing the way his eyes narrow slightly as he considers Jolt's words.

There's a tense moment where I'm not sure which way this is going to go, and then—Da nods, a small smile breaking through his usual stoic expression.

"Well said. You've got a good head on your shoulders."

Mum shouts at Conrad and Sorcha, “Get back in here you two! Plenty of other gifts to be opened, don’t ya think?”

Conrad doesn’t have to be told twice.

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