When You Were Mine (Stone Lake 2)

“I’m not sure. I interviewed Darren, and I know he has a lot of anger and he’s definitely a cocky son of a bitch, but whoever this is seems to be targeting me. I don’t think Darren has enough hate directed at me to do this. He has hate for sure, but it seems to be directed at law enforcement in general—not just me.”

“You’ll figure it out,” Juniper says.

Gavin doesn’t reply. I lay my head on his shoulder, wishing I knew how to wave a magic wand and make everything better. Gavin and I have a lot we need to work through and concentrate on. Gavin needs time with our son and instead we’re forced to look over our shoulder and have police presence wherever we go.

Life has to return to normal… and soon, or I might go insane.

Gavin

“You’re quiet tonight, Moonbeam.”

“Is it wrong that I’m so happy?” she asks, surprising me.

“What?” I turn so I can see her. The room is almost dark, there’s some moonlight coming through the window, but that’s it. The house is silent, Joshua and Juniper asleep upstairs. Luna and I are in bed in her room. There are times when I think I should probably go back to the hotel, but the truth is, I don’t want to leave. Part of that is because I don’t want to leave my family unguarded, but the biggest reason is that now that I have them, I don’t want to give them up—not even for a minute.

“Today was Roy’s memorial service and Darren’s still out there on the loose, we’re surrounded by cops night and day and still…”

“Still what, Luna?”

“Still… I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life, Gavin. It’s almost like we’re a real family.”

“We are a real family, Luna. You need to see that, because I’m not giving you or Joshua up ever again.”

“We haven’t really sorted through anything and Joshua still needs time to adjust,” she warns, but that just makes me smile.

“Didn’t you see our son tonight laughing, Luna? He’s adjusting, sweetheart. Everything will be okay, I feel it.”

“I do too,” she whispers. “You’re sure this is what you want?”

“You and Joshua? Absolutely, Moonbeam.”

“No, I meant living here in Stone Lake and giving up your career with the Bureau.”

“I have money saved up, I don’t need to work, at least not for a while. I need to spend time with my son. I missed too damn much, I don’t want to miss more, and I have a lot to catch up on.”

“And that’s enough?”

“Babe—”

“I’m serious, Gavin. You’re giving up a lot and not getting that much in return.”

“Are you really saying that shit to me right now?” I all but growl.

“Don’t get mad.”

“Luna, how can you even think that way? Don’t you realize by now that I’ve spent my life dreaming of another chance with you? You’re all I want in this world—all I’ve ever wanted and now I get not only you but our son too. Trust me, Moonbeam, I’m exactly where I want to be for the rest of my life.”

“If you’re sure,” she says, and I can still hear the doubt in her voice, but I’m okay with it. If it takes years to prove to her that all I want is her, then I can definitely wait.

“Well, there is one thing,” I murmur into her neck as I kiss along her shoulder.

“What’s that?” she asks, and I can feel her tense as if she’s preparing for my answer.

“I’d like to buy a house.”

“Oh…” she says, and I can hear the sadness in her voice.

“You’re upset,” I mutter, pulling back. I reach over and turn on the bedside light and look at Luna. She’s definitely not happy—you can see it all over her face.

“No, I mean, I like the idea. It’s just that…”

“What, Moonbeam?”

“I just thought you would live here with Joshua and me,” she says, her voice quiet and full of worry.

“You don’t understand, Luna. I want to buy a house for the three of us.”

“The three…” she says and slowly I see that she’s starting to understand what I’m saying.

“But I already have a house,” she argues.

“It’s your parent’s old home, and I know it’s crazy, but your father helped to fuck up our lives, and I don’t want any part of him ever touching us again. Plus, I’d kind of like a hand in picking out where we’re going to live the rest of our lives together.”

“You want to buy a home with me?”

“Definitely.”

“That sounds really permanent, Gavin.”

“Good, because it’s meant to.”

“No moves until we find Darren and get this mess hanging over our heads gone,” she cautions.

“I’m okay with that.” I caress her cheek.

“And Joshua has to be okay with it. This is the only home he’s truly known.”

“Definitely okay with that too,” I assure her.