Page 225 of Deadfall

I’d told my father more about my time with Sacha, including what had happened in the woods with the hunters, and the resulting training afterwards. Of course, he hadn’t been happy, but he knew the training had been invaluable and a huge reason why I got out of everything I went through, alive.

“Yeah, well, I don’t like the thought of him hurting you,” my father growled.

“We should go in a few months when spring hits.”

We arrived at the edge of the pool deck and watched Tex and Knox throw Sakari into the pool against his will. My father pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed as the man surfaced sputtering, and glaring murderously at the pair who stood just out of reach.

“I really hope Sakari doesn’t have his throwing stars on him,” he muttered.

Despite the ominous words, when I looked over, he had a calm look of contentment on his face. His arm tightened around my shoulders, and I leaned my head against him and soaked in the laughter and banter. It felt a bit surreal with the twinkle lights, and the smell of the grill Atlas manned while Nyx scolded him—it all felt so normal, so domestic.

“It feels strange,” I said.

“It’ll settle,” my father said quietly. “Adjusting is always a process.”

“What will happen with Mahoney?” I asked.

“What do you want to happen?”

“He deserves to rot down there for a bit, I think.”

“Well, we have all the time in the world now.”

That made me pause. Suddenly, the future was something tangible. A thrill shot through me because before, thoughts about my future were just that—thoughts, dreams—but, vastly unreachable. It wasn’t like that anymore.

“What do I do now, Dad?”

He turned to me and his hands settled on either side of my face. His thumb brushed over my scar, and a tender look broke through the usual stoic mask. For a moment the steel in his eyes softened, and he gave me a small smile.

“That’s the beauty of it, baby,” he said, his voice rough. “Anything you want.”

“What if–what if I don’t want to do it all alone?”

His eyes filled with a deep knowing. “You’re with your family now, Em. You’re not alone anymore.”

My eyes filled, and I gave him a watery smile back. The possibilities were endless and vast and filled with hope. I’d spent sixteen years surviving—enduring alone because that was what I’d been taught. That was what I learned I was capable of.

But, love taught me I didn’t have to do any of it alone anymore. I was home, I was safe, and I was surrounded by people who loved me.

I pulled my father in for a hug. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” my father kissed my hair. “Never doubt that.”

I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and turned to see Griffin walking with purpose across the pool deck. He was headed toward his sister and Knight, who looked like they were about to throw down. Well, Arkady looked like she was about to punch Knight in the face, and Knight looked irritated about something.

My father frowned. “What is that all about?”

“I don’t know,” I said.

I parted ways with my father and headed toward the group. I arrived just as Knight walked away, and Griffin told Arkady something along the lines of that she needed to behave.

“What the fuck, Griff?” Arkady exploded. “Are you on his side?”

“I don’t even know what the sides are!” Griffin scoffed.

“It shouldn’t matter,” Arkady sniffed. “You should always be on mine.”

“And I am,” Griffin insisted. “Always. You know that!”