They’d be thrilled now. Their golden girl could finally move in, unbothered by my leftovers.
I called James, my personal guard, to come load the boxes. He showed up within minutes, carrying everything out into the waiting car.
Outside, the rain had started. Soft, steady. Perfectly miserable.
Jace stood in the doorway, arms crossed, wearing a smug expression like it was tailored for him. “You better not come whining later. We’re not giving the room back.”
“I won’t,” I said, not even bothering to glance over my shoulder.
I didn’t look at the mansion one last time. Didn’t look at Asher, Jace, or Noah. But I felt their eyes on my back.
A heavy darkness pressed in around me as James caught me in his arms.
“Are you alright?” he asked, voice low.
I shook my head, fighting to stay conscious. “Yeah. No worries.”
James glanced at my brothers—expression unreadable—then turned back to me. “Let’s go.”
But of course, they couldn’t let me leave without getting one last shot in.
“Huh,” Noah said casually, like this was just another dinner conversation. “So that’s why you rushed out. Hooking up with your guard already? Kaia, I’m disappointed.”
I flinched. “I’m not…” My voice barely made it past my lips.
James straightened, stepping in front of me like a human shield. “We’re friends, Mr. Renner. Please show some respect to your sister—and to me.”
Asher scoffed, his voice rising with fury. “The fuck did you just say? You’re just a guard. You think you deserve respect?”
I tugged on James’s sleeve, my fingers curling around the fabric like a plea. “Don’t.” Don’t fight them. It’s not worth it. You’ll only get hurt.
James looked down at me, and the pity in his eyes hit harder than any insult ever could. It lanced right through me. “Alright,” he murmured. “It’s not like they matter anymore. We’ll be gone—”
“James!” I snapped, yanking him toward the truck.
But it was too late.
Noah’s gaze sharpened. “Gone?” he echoed, calm as ever. “What does he mean, gone?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly. “He’s just talking about my trip. I’m bringing him along.”
There was a flicker in his eyes, like he wanted to say something more. Like maybe—just maybe—he wanted me to stay. Or maybe I imagined that.
After all, why would he want me here? They’d forgotten I was ever part of this family.
