Chapter 243
I turned toward him fully, raising a skeptical eyebrow. “And… why am I here?”
He looked around the room again, his eyes scanning the walls like he could already see them painted, furnished, filled with purpose and people.
“Because,” he said, a touch of reverence in his voice, “this could be your office. Our office.”
My heart hiccupped in my chest.
The words caught me off guard–not just the offer, but the way he said our. Like it wasn’t just about partnership. Like it was something more.
Jacob walked forward, the sun pouring across his shoulders and the faint scuff of his shoes echoing slightly in the space. There was energy in his movement, excitement he wasn’t trying to hide.
“It’s got fifteen floors,” he said, turning back to face me, hands wide like he was framing the space. “Needs work–sure–but the bones are good. The foundation is solid. And with the right vision, this whole place could be extraordinary.”
He gestured toward the far end of the room and started walking, clearly expecting me to follow.
“Your office would go here,” he said, pointing to the corner with the best angle on the river.
“Full windows, sunlight all day. Then here,” he turned and walked a few paces, “we could put your staff–your admin team, support leads, maybe a small conference room. Over here,” he spun, still pointing, “we’ll do a common space for breaks, coffee, whatever you want.”
He kept going, describing walls and layouts and furniture, his voice painting in blueprints and vision. And I… I could actually see it. I could imagine walking through the door with a cup of coffee and a to–do list. I could imagine Aiden coloring in the corner on a snow day while I sat with a counselor about a case. I could see light. Warmth. Hope.
“This is beautiful,” I said quietly. “But… why here? Why not further into town? Something safer? Closer to the Moonstone district? My father would have a heart attack if he knew I was coming to work in this neighborhood. When you told me to meet you here, I half expected to be mugged in the parking lot. Despite the barbed wire fence.”
Jacob chuckled. “Because it has to be here. This whole building,” he said, turning slowly, arms outstretched, “is right across from the roguelands. Do you see it?”
I looked again at the trees. So close. A single bridge between us.
“They could cross at the checkpoint,” Jacob said, “and come straight here. No red tape. No long commutes. No barriers between the people we’re trying to help and the help we’re offering.”
I stared at him.
“And it’s not just this floor,” he continued. “I’ve already talked to a few architects. First floor could be a clinic. Second floor, a community center–safe space, resources, even transitional housing referrals.”
He was on a roll now.
“Third floor, mental health counseling. Fourth floor, Full Moon Security Rooms for any rogue struggling with shifts or impulse control. We can install reinforced doors, soundproofing, medical monitoring–whatever you want.”
I blinked, my chest tightening. “Jacob-
“The rest of the floors can be flexible,” he said, excitement rushing through his words. “Independent living for aging rogues who want stability. Short–term shelter space. Offices for support staff. Training programs. Whatever we need. Whatever you dream up.”
He paused.
And just stared.
It hit me all at once–the scope of it. The intentionality. The thought. The care.
I didn’t mean to do it.
But I stepped forward and threw my arms around him.
His body stiffened for half a second, surprised, and then his arms wrapped around me in return, strong and steady. I was crying –just a little–but it caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected to feel this much. To feel… seen.
“Jacob,” I whispered, pulling back just enough to look at him. His face was close–so close. His eyes weren’t teasing or smug or flirtatious in that moment. They were soft. Genuine.
“Thank you.”
He smiled. “You don’t need to thank me.”
“I do,” I said. “I really do. You didn’t just show up with a building. You… you saw the whole thing. You believed in it.”
“I believed in you,” he said simply.
And I believed him.
Which scared me more than anything else.
