Page 108 of Witness Protection

Cayden looked like a fish out of water, but he’d adapt. Hawk knew he would because he was making the same sacrifices for Sophia. Hawk didn’t know the first thing about playing house, but with their fucked-up threesome, they needed a place that was open-minded. That eliminated much of the map.

“This is why you wouldn’t show me the house, isn’t it? Where are we going to live, a damn hostel?”

“No, Cayden, it’s a real home. Not a hotel, not a rundown apartment, and not a place for a stakeout. That’s what we should all want. I mean, neither of us had that, so we should give that to Sophia.”

Cayden looked off at the ocean. “One day she’ll mourn and remember I killed her father. She’ll remember and hate me.”

The lull of the waves replaced their voices.

Hawk turned to the other man. “Then I’ll remind her of everything we’ve all been through. Remind her that she loves you.”

Cayden smirked. “You’re all right, Hawk. Sophia has good taste.”

“Come on.” He clapped Cayden on the back. “And don’t worry. You’ll approve when you see our man cave in the basement.”

They walked down to the water to get Sophia. He had the keys to their new home in his pocket. This was going to be the first day of the rest of their lives. They both needed to learn how to play nice, to take out the garbage, and mow the lawn.

There’d be a major learning curve.

“I love the smell,” she said. Sophia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“Smells like brine and dead fish,” said Cayden.

She opened her eyes and scowled. “Does not. If I remember, your old neighborhood smelled a lot worse.”

“You get used to it.”

“Let’s go, we have something to show you,” said Hawk.

They practically had to drag her from the shoreline, the bottoms of her pants already damp. Soon her pale skin would be sun-kissed. No more hiding the princess in the castle.

It was only a five-minute walk to the house. Waterfront, of course. Hawk had to compromise on wanting the best and providing the simplicity Sophia craved. The life Vasily provided was never meant for him. His real parents were poor immigrants struggling to keep their store open. Was that the reason slumming it terrified him so much? He wasn’t sure, but Hawk needed to remind himself to look forward and not back or it would drive him crazy.

“Mr. Tesino. I have everything prepared like you asked.”

One of the real estate agents they used to use waited on the sidewalk near the house, a file folder in hand. Hawk had left very specific instructions. He wanted this to be perfect for Sophia.

Cayden appeared less than impressed, but that only made two of them.

“Thank you. Will you give us an hour? We’ll handle the signatures after that.”

“Of course, sir.”

He walked out front. Cayden held Sophia’s hand as they followed. The flowers he’d requested were colorful and overflowing the gardens and planters. He stopped at the side entrance of the house and turned around.

“What do you think, baby?”

She cocked her head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“It’s home,” he said. “The little house by the ocean.”

Sophia kept quiet, looking from the house to him and back again. “I don’t understand.”

Hawk handed her the keys. “Open the door, Sophia. It’s your house. Our house.”

“For all three of us?”

“All three of us.”

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