Page 130 of Jay Bird

He had gotten used to moments like this far faster than he probably should have.

Willow slept beside him every night. Lily occasionally invaded their bed.

He couldn’t remember the last time he had been happier.

That should have scared the shit out of him, especially considering how hard he had worked for years to make sure he never put himself in a position where he could lose everything again. Instead, every change Willow and Lily had brought into his life felt strangely right, as if his house had been waiting for them even when he hadn’t known he was waiting too.

They reached another large tank, and Lily released their hands before pressing both palms against the glass.

“Turtle!”

Her squeal was loud enough to make several people nearby laugh.

Willow crouched beside her. “You found your turtle.”

Lily bounced excitedly.

Jay Bird smiled as he watched them, but movement reflected in the glass caught his attention, and his gaze immediately sharpened.

He turned slightly, taking in the families filling the exhibit behind them. A couple stood beside a stroller, several teenagers took pictures near another tank, and an older man walked past carrying a souvenir bag while a woman tried to corral three young children.

Nothing unusual.

Jay Bird looked back toward the glass.

That was the second time he’d had the feeling since they had arrived, and although he couldn’t explain it, he didn’t like it. There was no identifiable threat. He hadn’t noticed the same person repeatedly, and nobody seemed particularly interested in them.

Still, the hairs along the back of his neck weren’t settling.

Years of training had taught him not to ignore instincts simply because he couldn’t immediately explain them.

“Jay?”

His gaze shifted to Willow. “Yeah?”

She walked closer while Lily remained fascinated by the turtle.

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Her eyebrow rose. “You’re a terrible liar.”

Jay Bird almost laughed. “I’m actually an excellent liar.”

“Not with me.”

Well, hell. Apparently, he had become that transparent.

He looked toward Lily before lowering his voice. “Derek called last night.”

Willow’s smile disappeared. “Why?”

“Tink noticed some activity involving Mia and Riley. Somebody’s been looking into their backgrounds.”

He watched the color shift slightly in Willow’s face.

“Chen?”