Ranger and Stephanie are Janet's.
Steph studied me until I began feeling uneasy, then she nodded. I don't have to explain my reasoning to her. If we didn't have Olivia to consider, she'd be right there beside me today. And we both know it.
"I'll never forgive you if you get yourself hurt."
"I understand," I said. "And I won't."
If anyone should be worried about staying alive, it's Crux.
She slipped her hand into the front pocket of my pants and grabbed my phone. She pressed her cheek flat against Olivia's and took a picture of the two of them. With a few deliberate taps, she made it my new home screen.
"I can't stop you from wanting to protect us," she told me, "but I can remind you of what you could lose if something goes wrong."
I slid my finger under the pale yellow puffed sleeve on Olivia's dress, inspiring a gummy smile as I tickled the baby-soft skin while I kissed her mother.
"I'll be home by five," I promised them.
Crux won't know what hit him, but everyone else will by then.
