I nodded, because I couldn’t fucking speak.

“I’m proud of you both.” He lifted his eyes to mine. “I get it didn’t end well. But . . . but Claire told me how proud Mom was of you both, you and Dad. And I remember her saying that what you were doing was important. That you were both brave.”

“He’d be proud of you too, you know?” I said.

Zane smiled. “You think?”

“I know it. You were his life.”

Zane’s head dropped, and I threw my arm around his shoulders. “And you got me now. I ain’t your dad, but I’m your uncle, and I’m here whenever you need me.”

‘I know,” Zane said, and I led him outside.

Ash was straight over. “Zane, you shoot?” he asked. The two fuckers had hit it off from the minute Zane came to the compound two days ago. Knew they would. Good kids, the fucking pair of them.

“Nah, my aunt didn’t let me. Always wanted to though,” Zane said.

Ash looked at me. “AK’ll show you how, won’t you?” Zane looked up at me hopefully.

“Sure.”

“Now?” Ash said. “You gotta show Zane the target you can hit in the trees.” Ash turned to Zane. “Your uncle can fucking shoot. Never seen anything like it.”

“Can you?” Zane asked, and I saw the fucking pride in his eyes. “Show me, I mean. I know you’re good. Sniper and shit.”

“Sure,” I said. “Ash?” He looked up. “Talk a minute?” Ash’s eyebrows pulled down in confusion. “Zane, give us a few?”

Vike walked past just at that moment. “Zane! You can help me decide which tits I like better on these porn stars. It’s like fucking Sophie’s Choice!” He threw his arm around Zane’s neck and led him away.

I walked to the side of the cabin, taking a bottle of Jack from one of the tables. When Ash and I were alone, I said, “I ain’t had much time to speak to you over the past few weeks.” I took two shot glasses from my cut and poured out the Jack. I handed one to Ash. “But I’m gonna tell you what my brother said to me when I got my first kill.” Ash raised his eyebrows. “It gets easier,” I said, hearing fucking Dev’s voice in my head. “From this moment on, it becomes second nature and don’t bother you as much. I promise.”

“I know.” Ash lowered his eyes.

“You do?”

He shrugged. “Flame sat me down afterwards and talked to me.” He gestured to the bourbon. “He gave me a shot too.” He smirked. “Told me you did the same to him when he got his first kill.”

“I did.” I remembered.

Ash nodded. “He reminds me of you sometimes. I think . . . I think in some ways he models himself on you.” I was shocked, fucking rooted to the spot. “You mean a lot to him.”

“He means a lot to me too,” I said. “As do you, you little shit.” Ash laughed at me. “Speaking of, I’m getting some plans drawn up to get another bedroom in my cabin. Then you can come back home.” He’d been staying with Flame since Sapphira had moved in. Ash went silent, then looked away. “What?”

“AK . . . Flame has asked me to move in with him and Maddie.”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. “When?”

“A while ago.”

“And?”

A smile pulled on his lips. “I said yes.”

I blinked, not sure I could believe it. “You good with it?”

“Yeah,” he said with a sigh. “I want to. Since I’ve been staying there . . . he’s been good with me. Different. I . . . Better than I could have imagined.” He shrugged. “I like it.”

“Well, fuck, kid,” I said.

“AK?” he said. “I . . . I just wanna say thanks. For everything you’ve done since . . . you know, I came here. I . . .” He rocked on his feet. “You’re my brother too. Like Flame. And I . . . I just wanted you to know that I’m grateful.” I swore these fucking teenagers were gonna give me a fucking heart attack. Turning me into a weeping fucking pussy.

“Get here, fucker.” I pulled him into my chest and kissed his head. “You need anything from me, I’m right next door. You’re welcome anytime. Doesn’t work out with Flame, you’re back with me. Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he said and stepped back.

“She needs to be with her mom anyway,” Ash said. “Sapphira.” I nodded, knowing it was true. Little bitch was jaded at the world, a fucking hermit. “We ever gonna get to see her?” Ash asked. “We all wanna see what she looks like. Speak to her. Never got a chance to even see her at the shootout, and she’s been hiding ever since.”

“Maybe today. Bitch is real shy, kid.” Ash nodded. I held out my shot. “Well, kid. Here’s to you saving my ass and moving in with Flame.” He laughed, and we knocked back our liquor.

“We’d better go rescue Zane from Vike,” Ash said. I followed him back to the fire pit. Some of the brothers had returned from their hike to the waterfall. Styx and Ky had started the grill. They all looked good here.

Dev would have loved it.

“You’ll look out for him, yeah?” I said when I saw Zane’s eyes widen at something Vike had said.

“Yeah. I like him.” Ash put the shot glass on a table. “He’s like you in a lot of ways.” I glanced back across to Vike and Zane, who were sitting with Hush and Cowboy. Zane was laughing. “He’d make a good prospect too,” Ash said as he walked away. I met his black eyes. He was smirking. “Just saying.”

Ash walked over to Zane, and the two of them made their way to the target range. I followed behind. Another kid to teach how to shoot.

Two hours later, when night had fallen and the fire was lit, I sat down on a chair. Zane, Ash and Slash were across the pit, drinking beer and shooting the shit. I watched them, a new fucking trio.

Shit, I felt old.

Someone sat down in the chair to my right, another in the one to my left, as I looked around for Phebe and Sapphira. Sapphira hadn’t wanted to come out yet. Wasn’t sure if she ever would. She was freaking out.

I knew who sat beside me without even looking. “Your old lady making an appearance anytime soon?” Vike handed me a fresh bottle of Bud.