“I don’t know why you lived in that sad little house when you could afford this.” She pulls back and smiles at me. “But I’m glad you did.”
“Mom, you can’t go from calling it cute to sad.”
We both ignore Cassandra.
“I’m glad I did too.” My words feel so inadequate for how true they are.
Mrs. Cantrell hooks her arm in Cassandra’s. “Show me inside.” As they pass me and head up the steps, I hear Mrs. Cantrell say, “Your house is cute. His was sad.”
Both houses are equally destroyed now, but it’s still a fair description.
Mr. Cantrell stops before me, making no attempt to follow the ladies.
I’m significantly larger than he is, but I suddenly feel like I’m back in my teenaged body. Trying to stand straighter. Trying to prove I’m worthy.
I take a breath.
I’ve battled against so many odds.
I’ve fought for my life and survived.
I can do this too.
“I love your daughter,” I tell him. “Cassandra is… She’s my everything. And I’d like to ask you for her hand.”
Mr. Cantrell looks past me to the mansion at my back. “I wasn’t in communications in the army. I wasn’t even in the army.” He pauses, and my nerves spike. “I was with something else.”
I swallow. “Three-letter agency?”
He doesn’t confirm.
“I saw a lot of shit. Most of it had nothing to do with wars, but I saw a lot of dangerous men.” His eyes move back to meet mine. “They’re easy to recognize when you know what to look for.”
I fight my body’s instinct to move back and hold his gaze.
He dips his head like he’s making a decision. “I knew what you were the first time we met.”
His words feel like ice across my skin. “If you try to stop me—”
I cut myself off because I don’t know how to finish that sentence. I won’t ever give her up, but I’d never do anything to hurt the man who raised her.
“I still know some people. And that night when Cassie was stuck in Mexico, after her bus got hijacked and then miraculously saved… I had some images sent my way.”
I brace myself. Ready for the questions. Dreading his rejection of me.
But then he takes a step closer and reaches up to grip my shoulder.
“Thank you.” He fights to keep his composure. “I owe you my life. She—” He nods toward the house. “She is my life.”
Tightness grips my throat.
His love for her is what my parents had for Freya. And I watched it destroy them.
But his girl is still here. And he’s one of the parents that understands just how precious that is.
“I would do anything for her.” My voice cracks on the truth.
“I wouldn’t accept anything less.” The hand on my shoulder squeezes. “That girl is a handful. She needs someone dangerous to protect her. So yeah, son, you have my blessing. And that makes you family. Meaning you have my wife too. However you need us.”
Son.
I nod.
Then I nod again.
Because fuck, it feels good to have a family.
Epilogue
Payton
My heart squeezes as I watch Hans walk Mrs. Cantrell up the aisle.
She’s openly crying, clinging to his arm, and it’s clear to see that she’s never been happier.
Cassandra’s parents know all about our little band of heathens. And they love us.
I squeeze my hands together against my chest.
Mr. and Mrs. Cantrell have become parents to all of us, and their acceptance is more than I ever could have hoped for. Nero is more than enough, but this… I look around at the people gathered… This is family.
I take a deep breath.
The aisle is short, just a few rows of chairs set up in King’s backyard. So after a few more steps, Hans stops with Mrs. Cantrell at the first row, bending to let her kiss his cheek.
In contrast to his adorable soon-to-be mother-in-law, Hans looks like a warrior, with his hair flowing in the late October breeze and his jaw clenched tight.
She says something to him, and when he pulls her into a hug, I lift the tissue clutched in my hand to the corner of my eye.
He really is the perfect match for Cassandra, my newest best friend.
Mrs. Cantrell pats him on the back as she pulls away, then waves to all of us with a watery apology.
Val is in the row behind her, sitting with Dom, and she puts her hand on Mrs. Cantrell’s shoulder.
I wish my husband was at my side. I would love to lean against him right now. But he’s not next to me because he’s standing before us all, next to Hans.