Page 46 of The Hitman
But when she reaches the last step, she relents, grabbing the arm he offers to steady herself.
The scar parting her thick raven hair looks less angry. Her vision returned to normal a few weeks ago, and the physical therapist who comes to work with her each week says her motor skills have improved dramatically.
I’m inspired by her determination every day, especially when she’s giving Jaxon a heart attack.
I make my way over, giving her a big squeeze once she’s solidly on her feet. “You’re doing great, Isa.”
“Thank you, Callie.” She pats my back, side-eyeing her brother when we part. “I love you, but I don’t understand how you put up with him.”
Jaxon scoffs as he trails us into the kitchen, and I suppress a giggle. “Trust me, it’s a daily struggle.”
He pinches my ass just as Leo and his grandparents enter through the sliding glass doors, and his dad arches a brow at us.
Leo charges inside first, breathless and barefoot, cheeks flushed from laughter. “Grandpa says he can run faster than Uncle Jax!”
“Not a chance,” Jaxon replies, ruffling Leo’s windblown hair. “But I’d pay good money to watch him try.”
Jaxon’s dad launches into a story of his glory days of track-and-field while Leo heads straight for Isa and gives her the biggest hug. He squeals as she showers his cheeks with kisses.
The scent of roasted garlic and honeyed carrots fills the air, mingling with the coconut breeze that drifts in from the patio.
Our dinner is simple—grilled fish from the local market, fresh fruit and roasted vegetables, and warm bread. My mouth waters as we all crowd around the table Jaxon and his father built, but for as much as I want to devour the meal I made, my stomach violently pitches with nausea.
I grimace before looking up to find Isa’s eyes on me. She glances at my stomach before pursing her lips.
“I’ll tell him tonight,” I mouth, grinning when her face practically glows with excitement.
Jaxon takes the seat beside me, his hand resting lightly on my knee beneath the table. His parents settle at the ends, trading stories with Isa about her rehab wins, about Leo’s obsession with drawing dragons and his love for his new teacher—who totally doesn’t make me jealous—and about the mango tree in the yard that refuses to bloom.
Dinner with the Knights is chaotic, a little loud, but mostly, it’sperfect.
I catch Jaxon watching me as I refill Leo’s cup, and something unspoken passes between us. Some shared understanding that this, right here, is what we were fighting for all along.
A seat at this table. A meal with no exit strategy. And I realize something now… The thing I once craved when I first started mynanny job, the thing I thought I’d never be invited into is dinner—with them.
Withmyfamily.
Later, once the dishes are cleared and margaritas are made, Jaxon and I stand on the front porch. He rests his chin on my shoulder, and in the silence, I gather the courage I need to break the news about the tiny heartbeat I’m carrying.
Part of me fears he might freak out. I don’t want this baby to feel like a burden, like it’s one more precious life at risk of being hurt. But then, the other part of me knows it’s something he’s yearned for, just like I have.
“There’s something I want to say to you,” we say at the same time.
Our laughter is soft as we turn to face each other.
His gaze is warm, his strong features so handsome in the setting sun. But it’s the ring he lifts between us that makes me gasp.
Jaxon’s family piles at the front window, peering at us with goofy smiles.
I laugh through the tears clogging my throat.
“Callie—” Jaxon starts.
“Yes,” I whisper, nodding before he can say another word. “Yes. I will marry you.”
He grins, sexy and brilliant, melting my heart with the adoration in his gaze. “So sure about forever, are you?”
I sniffle when he slides the ring on my finger. “How could I not be?”
