Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 71

71

Parker’s mouth curves into a faint smile, a little less guarded now. “Right. Sorry I forgot this is all still new to you.” He taps the side of his head. “Mind Tink Pack members can talk to each other telepathically.”

I stare at him for a second, trying to wrap my head around it. “Like… you can hear them? In your head?”

He nods. “Clear as if they’re standing right next to me.”

I exhale slowly, imagining how that must work. “That’s… incredible. Kind of terrifying, but incredible.”

He chuckles. “You get used to it. Comes in handy, especially when things go sideways.”

I glance toward the tree line again. “So that’s how Ryder knew the second something went wrong.”

“Exactly.” Parker’s voice softens. “We’re never really alone out here.”

That thought is both comforting and overwhelming.

We reach the school gates and the front doors open. Regina pops her head out and locks eyes with Parker. He gives her a nod, and she ushers out a small group of kids. Jaxon spots me first.

“Mummy!” he shouts, breaking free from the group and running toward me.

I crouch just in time to catch him in my arms. He smells like home. I hold him tight, breathing him in like I haven’t seen him in

years.

“You’re okay,” I whisper, smoothing my hand over his dark hair.

His small hands pat my face. “Are you crying?”

“No, baby,” I lie, sniffling. “Just happy to see you.”

“Where’s my dad?” He asks, looking from Parker, to Ronnie and the other men.

“He’s busy, but you’ll see him soon,” I smile, standing and taking his hand in mine as Regina and the other kids approach.

“Ready to move?” Parker asks.

Regina nods once and gathers the rest of the children like it’s a fire drill. The children are quiet and look worried. Do they know what happened?

“Remember, children, we need to stay quiet, so our enforcers can focus on the surrounding sounds. This is just practice, like we’ve done before, so don’t be scared,” Regina says, her tone so soft and calm that I almost believe her, foo.

“What’s an enforcer?” Jax asks.

Ronnie crouches in front of him. “Hi, Jaxon. I’m Ronnie, and I’m so happy to meet you. Your dad has told me so much about you. Enforcers are like soldiers, and you’ve been chosen to help train them. So we need you to keep really quiet so they can practice. Once we get back to the house, you can ask your questions, but for now, we need you to be silent. Can you do that?”

“Yes, sir,” Jax nods, taking his role very seriously and saluting Ronnie.

Ronnie salutes back at him before ruffling his hair and standing with a smile. 2

We start moving as a group; me, Jaxon, Regina, six kids, and the tight formation of enforcers around us. Parker keeps pace beside me and Ronnie walks directly behind Jaxon as if shielding him.

The walk to Ryder’s cabin feels longer than it should. Every snapped twig and rustling bush makes my pulse jump. The tense silence just makes me more nervous, and I have to fight the urge to speak just to break the tension. Just when it starts to become too much, Parker’s hand brushes against mine. The brief touch calming me more than words could.

+15 Bonus

When we finally see the cabin through the trees, I almost cry again because Ryder is standing on the porch, waiting.

He looks rough. He’s shirtless with dirt and blood streaked across his skin, but when his eyes land on me, something fierce and warm lights inside him. His shoulders drop just a little and his jaw unclenches.

He comes down the steps in three quick strides, pulling us both into his arms. One around me. One around Jaxon. His body trembles with tension as he exhales into my hair

“Thank the moon,” he breathes. “You’re here.”

Jaxon wiggles between us. “Daddy?”

“I’m here, buddy.” Ryder presses a kiss to the top of his head, then one to my temple.

“How bad is he?” I whisper.

He doesn’t answer right away.

“He’s alive,” Ryder finally says. “That’s what matters.”

I nod, because I don’t know what else to do. If I let myself think about it, about Callen, I’ll fall apart.

Ronnie clears his throat behind us. “The perimeter’s set. I’ve got three guards rotating outside, two on the back windows, one in the trees. Anyone comes close, we’ll know.”

“Thank you,” Ryder says. “Get the rest of the kids home. I’ll meet you back at the healers soon.”

Ronnie nods and jogs to catch up with the group while Parker flops down in a chair on the porch.

“Daddy, what have you been doing? You’re all dirty. I think you need a swim in the big bath,” Jaxon says, as he studies Ryder with a wrinkled nose.

Ryder lets out a laugh that’s half amused, half exhausted. “Yeah, I do.”

Jaxon nods seriously. “And lots of soap.”

I smile, the tightness in my chest easing for the first time all afternoon. There are still questions, still danger, but we’re safe for

now.

Ryder catches my eye, his fingers brushing mine. “Come inside.”

I follow him in, with Jaxon skipping between us, talking excitedly about his training mission with the soldiers and Parker at my

back.

I hope with everything in me that Callen and Remy will be back with us soon.

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