Page 16 of Hartley

“It could be worse,” I told them. “At least it’s just one car and not more.” Jordan had hired additional guards since Ava came to live with us. They were people he was training to work for him while he moved others up, Vincent being one of them. Those on family detail were trusted more. The only reason Barry didn’t guard us was due to him being the head of security for Jordan and needed at the building to run things. He’d only step in to guard if it was a necessity.

Julia and Oleander talked while Ava looked out the window at the houses passing by. It was in the quiet moments when we didn’t need to say anything that she’d sometimes share a memory of her mom or talk to us about school.

At least we were able to bring her things to our place from the apartment she shared with her mom. Jordan’s men set up her bedroom as close as they could to the way it was with Ava’s help. She cried that night, lying on her bed, missing her mom. I hated how I couldn’t make it better for her. All I could do was look to the future and be there for her. Provide her with a safe and stable environment. Many wouldn’t agree Jordan was stable, but he was there for Hartley and me every time. He was steadfast in his strength and understanding of what we needed.

The rest of the contents of the apartment were stored on a lower level of the building in a safe space where, even if the city streets flooded, which they didn’t, nothing would get to Celine’s belongings. Well, now Ava’s. If Ava wanted to go through them, she could. If not, they’d still be there for her to do as she wished with. Nothing was thrown out. Not a single sticky note, brush, or spoon.

We finally pulled into my sister’s driveway. Both her andDana’s vehicles were there. It wasn’t surprising. Dana was working less at Untouchable. Dexen had been more flexible with the schedule. He even offered to give Dana extended time off with pay, but Dana said he needed to stay busy. While he wasn’t back to his regular hours yet, he still worked.

The other SUV parked next to us, Sheldon waving at Julia.

Carson didn’t come tearing out of the house like usual when we pulled up. Instead, it was Dana opening the door, greeting us. His dark hair was wet, like he’d just gotten out of the shower. He wore a T-shirt and jeans, and his feet were bare.

“Vail,” he said with a soft smile. He pulled me in for a hug. “It’s good to see you. It’ll be good for Cat too.” No one worried more about my sister than Dana. He loved her with everything he had. It was breaking him to see her upset.

“I’m glad we came.” Leaning back, I moved to reveal Ava, who stood behind me. “Dana, this is Ava.”

Dana smiled. “It’s nice to meet you. I hope you like chocolate. I baked a batch of white chocolate marshmallow muffins.”

“Um, what?” I asked. “How have I not had these?”

“I save them for special occasions.” He winked. “Plus, I literally made the recipe up today.”

Before I could say anything else, Carson rushed toward me, slamming into my legs. “Hey, buddy,” I said, lifting him into my arms and introducing him to Ava. He cuddled against me. It would never get old holding my nephew and niece, especially after the fear of losing them.

I walked into the house with Carson still against me and Ava behind me. Oleander and Sheldon filed in, with Vincent staying outside with Julia. Luckily, it was a beautiful day withonly a slight chill in the air. I couldn’t wait until spring gave way to summer.

Cat stood in the living room with Ivy in her arms. “Vail,” she said on an exhale. The moment Oleander was next to me, Cat handed Ivy off so she could hug me. Cat was as worried about me as I was about her.

Carson wiggled to get down, then took Ava’s hand in his, trying to drag her to his room to play.

“Why don’t we let Ava sit for a bit before you show her your toys,” Cat said.

Carson nodded but then looked up at Dana, who groaned and went into the kitchen, no doubt to get the muffins. That boy had his parents wrapped around his finger.

“Ava, this is my sister, Cat.”

Ava smiled nervously. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too, but there’s no need for formalities. Have a seat. Just watch that you don’t sit on one of the kids’ toys. Some of that stuff is pointy and doesn’t feel good if you land on it.”

Ava’s smile grew, and she sat in one of the chairs. “Thank you for inviting me to your house. Vail has told me a lot about you.”

Cat sat on the couch next to me and leaned forward to fake whisper, “Don’t listen to anything he says. They’re probably lies.”

That got a small laugh out of Ava, then her eyes widened when they latched on to Cat’s shirt. “You like Ruined and Relinquished?”

“Like them? I’m Dash Meadows’s number one groupie.”

“I think that’s Romeo or Tristan,” I cut in.

“Shush,” Cat chastised. “Dash sweat all over his own shirt and gave it to me. I cherish it like an award of my groupie status.”

“Ew, you haven’t washed it yet?”

She sighed dramatically. “I did, but only because Dana wouldn’t come near me if I wore it without it being clean. I’m very disappointed in him.”

“Yes,” Dana said dryly when he came into the room. “It’s my fault for not wanting my wife to wear another man’s sweat on her body.” He set a plate of muffins on the coffee table as well as small plates and napkins. “Ava, what would you like to drink? We have juice, milk, tea, and water.”

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