Page 119 of At the Edge of Surrender

I gave him a tight nod. “I know.”

The jut of his chin felt like a pact.

“Thank you, Theo.” There was a speck of confusion in Emery’s words, not sure why I’d insisted that he be here.

“My pleasure,” he told her.

“I hope your dinner was your pleasure because it was so, so good!” Maci peeped.

Theo laughed a warm sound. “Dinner was definitely my pleasure. Bye, sweet thing.”

He ruffled tatted fingers through her hair.

“Bye, Uncle Theo!”

My heart skipped a beat, unsure where the sentiment had come from, but fuck, it sounded right.

My daughter becoming a part of this family even when she didn’t know it.

We watched as Theo climbed onto his bike, the powerful engine rumbling when he kicked it over then took it to the driveway.

When he disappeared around the bend, I turned, my footsteps slow as I eased up the steps. I stopped at one lower than Emery, bringing us face to face.

Toffee eyes swam with uncertainty. With all the questions that blazed between us.

“Missed you,” I said.

Didn’t fucking care that it was inappropriate.

Against all the rules that she was setting for us.

The fire between us made it clear what we were supposed to be.

Giggling, Maci grabbed my face in both her little hands. “Ifinkyou missedbofof us.”

“Yeah, Angel Face, I definitely did.”

THIRTY

KANE

Me

Dinner was delicious. You didn’t have to do that, but I have to admit, I’m glad you did.

Little Warrior

It was nothing. I wanted to take care of you since you always seem to be taking care of us.

Me

Just imagine all the ways I’m really going to take care of you.

I sentit from where I lay in my bed, not ashamed for a second to launch the innuendo with it.

When it came to EmeryVoss, minehad been ringing in my head on repeat.Minewhen I had no right to make the claim, but it felt like it’d been purposed for me to do it, anyway.

Not because she was Maci’s aunt.

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