Page 341 of Power Play

“I don’t want it.”

The words came out colder than I intended, and both women flinched. I forced my hands to remain open at my sides.

“I spent six months learning what they did to her. I held her through panic attacks. I watched her tear herself apart over every phone call. I went into that house knowing exactly who Lance was because Charm taught me. None of it changes who she became when he turned it against me.”

“She loves you,” Bliss whispered.

“I know.”

Her eyes searched my face as though the answer confused her.

“Love doesn’t change it,” I said. “That’s what all of you need to understand before she arrives. I know she loves me, and I’m still done.”

Silence settled through the lodge.

Cade moved closer until he stood slightly in front of Bliss. He wasn’t blocking her from me as much as reminding both of us where the emotional lines had been drawn.

“She won’t corner you,” he said.

“Thank you.”

Easton nodded. “If the girls want to talk to her, they can do it in the second cabin.”

Aura looked at him. “She’s our friend.”

“And Ryan’s our brother.”

“I know that.”

“Then we’re clear.”

There was no cruelty inside the exchange. Easton loved Aura enough to understand why she wanted to protect Charm. He also knew I had spent my entire life surviving people who expected me to accept pain because the person causing it had reasons.

Rider took a beer from the case. “I’m still available for sled enforcement.”

Vivi looked at him. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing legal.”

“That doesn’t answer the question.”

“It usually doesn’t,” Skylar told her.

The conversation broke apart around us. Cade began unpacking groceries. Bliss and Aura carried bags upstairs while Easton and Rider argued over who got the room nearest the game area. Vivi asked me to show her the second cabin, and I walked her through the snow to confirm that the upstairs room with the blue blankets still suited her.

Normal life filled the spaces Charm had been meant to occupy.

By the time we returned to the main lodge, music played softly from the kitchen. Bliss had arranged food across the island while Cade tried to stop Briggs from opening everything before dinner. Aura stood near the fireplace unfolding one of the blankets she brought, and Easton had challenged Rider to pool before either of them unpacked.

The lodge looked almost exactly like what I imagined, and that was the cruelest part.

Everyone I loved was there. The fire burned while snow fell beyond the windows. Laughter traveled from the lower level, and the kitchen smelled like coffee, bread, and whatever Bliss had started cooking. I built the weekend for my family, and it should have felt complete without Charm.

It didn’t.

Her absence remained visible in every room. There was a space beside Bliss on the couch, an empty stool near the island, and the closed door of the master suite upstairs.

I didn’t mistake the emptiness for hope. A missing limb still hurt after the body accepted it was gone.