Wrecked Palace

She sniffed through a laugh. “Not scared of much, but tears do you in, huh?”When it came to Caelyn, they certainly did.

If you would’ve told me two months ago that this man would be sitting at my breakfast table playing along with our family’s silly traditions, I would’ve said you’d taken an extra hard hit to the head. But here Griffin was, and it was like he belonged with us in that extra seat at our table.

I’d learned too late that losing the good was far worse than remembering the bad.

I plucked the kitten off Griffin’s leg and cuddled it to me, flipping it onto its back. “I’m pretty sure it’s a she.”Griffin peeked over my shoulder. “How do you know that?”I pressed my lips together to hold in my laughter. “No balls.”“I guess that’s solid evidence.”“We can call her Luci!” Mia cheered.Griffin looked from the kitten to Mia to me. “I guess I have a cat.”

“Do you hate me a little bit right now?”It was on the tip of my tongue to say that, no, I loved her. The urge shocked the hell out of me. But it shouldn’t have. “Not even a little bit.”“I’m glad.”

“Thank you,” she mouthed.I couldn’t even form silent words. Because what did you say to a woman who had given you everything and didn’t even realize it?

As I stared at the photo, I realized one thing. I was in love with Caelyn O’Connor. Had been for months. A woman who I hadn’t even kissed. The knowledge had me questioning my sanity a bit.

I hadn’t realized how empty my life had been. Not until they had filled it. Even if they did bring a devil cat with them.

The truth was, I would give anything, pay any price, if I could just keep this family safe. Because somehow over the past few months, they’d come to mean everything to me.

“Sometimes, you have to do what’s right for yourself. Even if that means letting someone else down.”