↳ 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 ー 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘

𝐗𝐋𝐈 ー 𝐚 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐬

◉

"Wake up, my love."

Kaden's eyes blink open to the familiarly soft voice, feeling a hand on his chest that falls when he sighs. He runs his fingers through his freshly washed hair and rubs his eyes at the sunshine illuminating the bedroom. His dazed expression bringing a beloved smile to her lips.

"Sorry, I didn't want to wake you but you were doing that frowny face again. Bad dream?"

"Sort of. What time is it?"

"Some time in the afternoon."

"The afternoon?" He sits up.

"Before you say anything, I didn't want to wake you unless necessary. You need your rest. I know it's been a week since you came back to me but you were gone for almost a year." She curls into his side after he pulls her closer. "Besides, I spent the morning with Grayson."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," she croons while he plays with her hair. "Helped him organise his knives because they were ridiculous, I'm surprised he let them get that bad with his OCD and everything. I also made him order some clothes online. He hated it which was funny to watch."

"He'll do just about anything for you."

She chuckles and pecks his cheek.

○ ○ ○

Opening the door to greet the officer on the doorstep, Sierra gives him a quick once-over. "They're not home at the moment but I can let them know you're here."

"Actually I wanted to speak to you," Charlie confesses. "I think it's best this stayed between us, for now at least."

She frowns and pulls her cardigan around her body, arms folded to shield herself from the cool air. "Alright..."

"We got a call down at the station not too long ago. From Blayk and Esmee Roman."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Afraid not. Fortunately there's a lot of us working shifts tonight so we have everything covered. I don't have to tell you that I have no intention of arresting either of them, it'd be awkward if I did. But if Mr and Mrs Roman hear that no action has been taken..."

Shaking her head, she exhales. "You know I stuck my neck out for them? I defended them and they didn't even deserve it."

"People can be deceitful." She raises her brows in silent agreement. "I thought it would be best to inform you rather than them. I think they'd take the news better if it came from you."

"Thank you, Charlie."

He nods. "If there's anything I can do to help let me know. The Romans aren't perfect but they don't deserve this. No one does."

"Actually, there is something you can do for me."

○ ○ ○

With the windows down and the radio blasting, she rests an elbow on the door with her free hand draped over the wheel. The sleek car speeding along the dark, empty road with the sun setting in the horizon.