Anson was staring up at the ceiling with his mate sleeping in his arms. The sun was setting outside the window and he wouldn’t have moved for the world.

He had told her the truth when he said that the old Anson would have wanted revenge. He would have wanted the person that hurt one of his to suffer. It wasn’t as important now. It was the job of the authorities. It didn’t mean he wasn’t going to make sure that Jerry the asshole never saw the light of day again. Even if he did, he’d be on Kindred radar. That was not a place anyone wanted to be.

Anson should have been feeling on top of the world. Except his mate wasn’t settled. Nowhere near. She was upset, she couldn’t tell him what she needed. He wanted to fix it all and he wasn’t used to digging into someone’s mind to figure it out. He spoke up if he needed. If there was something wrong, he said it.

With Piper, he thought she’d be relieved. Her stalker behind bars, King was pushing the DA to charge with attempted murder for the morning car chase. It wouldn’t be hard, there were bullet marks on the door panels and that was proof enough.

Piper wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder anymore. They could buy a house or an apartment. They could have cubs. He was going to be able to plan her presentation ceremony to the Clan. He was relieved. His mate wasn’t.

Brushing the hair back from her face, he wished he could wipe the furrowed lines from her forehead. His phone had been vibrating in his pocket and he’d checked the first few times. They were updates from King, he was still working with SPD. Hudson texted asking if he needed to come back with food. He got the same message from Cora since Van told her everything that happened.

He answered those thanking them for thinking of them. He didn’t want anyone else around Piper tonight and he didn’t think she would want anyone around either. Him being the exception.

Piper moved under him. “Anson?”

“I’m here.”

“What time is it?”

“Almost dinnertime. You hungry?”

“I’m not sure.”

“I’ll order pizza,” he said, shifting her out of his arms.

“Okay, I need a shower. I don’t know why I just feel like I need to… get clean.”

“I’ll meet you downstairs.” Anson kissed her on the forehead and headed downstairs.

He texted back to everyone, asking someone to drop his truck off at Piper’s. He knew they’d make it happen. Pizza was ordered and he waited while listening to the water run upstairs. He wanted to go check on her. But he was learning she might need some space. He could hear her and that was going to have to be enough.

The shower turned off and he waited. Leaning on her kitchen counter, he felt like he was on a stakeout, waiting for someone to make a move. But he didn’t move, not an inch. Piper was going to find him casually waiting for her like he would for the rest of her life. Just being there when she needed him.

Soft steps sounded on the carpeting of the stairs and he waited. She rounded the corner wearing an oversized sweatshirt over a pair of pajama pants.

“Those pajamas belong to someone else?”

Piper looked down, “No, why?”

“Because they’re two sizes too big.”

“I like them roomy. I can eat more.”

“I guess that makes sense. Pizza will be here soon.”

“Okay, I’m going to go sit on the patio. Do you want to join me?”

“Sit on the patio?”

“Yes, I’ve never done it. I felt… too exposed,” she said with a shrug.

Anson pulled her into his arms, hugging her tight. “You go enjoy your patio. I’ll pour us some wine, or do you want beer?”

“Beer, please. Wine and pizza… just no.”

Anson laughed. “Got it.”

Piper kissed the underside of his chin where she could reach then she smiled up at him and wandered towards the sliding patio door.

He couldn’t take her eyes off her as she paused and tipped her head up to the fresh air, she still had her arms folded like she was protecting herself, but she was out there. Grabbing a couple of bottles of beer from the fridge, he heard his truck pulling into the driveway. He’d know his truck anywhere. The guys would leave the keys inside and lock the door. All their vehicles could be opened via biometrics, so he knew they wouldn’t knock. He carried out the beers and set them on the patio table next to Piper.

“I bought this set and never used it. Can you believe that? What a waste.”

“You’re using it now, and we can buy a big house with a big deck and you can use it there.”

“A house, a house we wouldn’t have to move from. What would that be like?”

“I think it would be nice. It would be a fresh start for both of us. New home, new future.”

“Maybe somewhere with some grass? I could take the train in,” she mused.

“You’re not taking the train in. I’ll drive you to work.”

“Every day?”

“Sure, why not?”

“Because you seem to forget what you do for a living. You’re not always going to be around.”

Anson wanted to argue with her but she was right. There were going to be times he wouldn’t be home to sleep with her. “We’ll work it out.”

“Yeah, sounds like we’re getting a condo in the city, that’s what,” she said with a laugh.

A knock sounded at the door and Anson chucked his finger under her chin. “We’ll figure it out.”

She gave him a nod and smiled. He was going to make her believe that she could have what she wanted. Whatever that looked like in her dreams.

Anson ran up to the front door and opened it to find the delivery guy. He paid for the pizza and tipped the kid enough to make his eyes get big. Walking back to the patio, he passed through the kitchen and could see Piper standing behind her chair. Her beer knocked over on the table, the liquid still pouring out onto the surface.

His eyes were on her face, she was confused and afraid. As he moved his eyes towards where she was looking, he saw the gun before he saw the woman holding it.