I sprint up the bluestone steps winding up the side of the enormous Atlanta property to the gate and twist the handle. The damn thing is locked again. I wedge my sneaker into the gap in the fence beside the gate and jump, grabbing hold of the top of the gate to haul up my body. The flat wooden pickets press into my ribs, knocking air out of my chest.

I hold on to the edge, wobbling, and attempt to swing up my leg. My balance shifts, and I squeal, before steadying myself, and then I inch my foot up until it reaches the top, and straddle the edge. You’d think with so many siblings to chase, I’d be a little more agile—but nope.

I release a long, slow breath.

“What did I tell you about using the front door?”

The voice jerks through me, and I fall. Right into sturdy arms.

The thud of the impact jerks my bones.

Clay.

I grab on to him. His scent wraps around me. I cling, never wanting to let go. “Last time I tried, I couldn’t get in.”

He frowns his meanest frown. It’s different now, buried under several days of stubble. I touch his beard. It’s rough and wonderful. Speckled with different colors.

My fingers slide on his cheek. I want these whiskers. Want them against my face. On my tits. Scraping my back. “Daddy, you hurt me.”

Pain pushes through me until I feel like passing out.

His jaw gets tighter under my hand, but he presses his forehead to mine. “I’m protecting you. That’s what I’m supposed to do.”

I wrap my arms around his neck. “It’s not working.”

His jagged breath fans my ear, and he carries me inside, all the way through the living room then sets me on the kitchen counter and passes me a tissue.

I wipe my face and leaking eyes. “Is it because of what I said that last night?”

“What are you talking about?” He hands me another tissue.

“When we were playing, and I said I love you.” The words burn. I already know it’s not the reason, but the fact I do truly love him means I pray it is.

I’d rather a broken heart from rejection a thousand times over the alternative.

“No. I’m sorry you think that.” He sighs. “But it did remind me that I need to be responsible for your sake.”

“How is it responsible to make me miss you like this?” I hiccup.

“Katie.” He takes my hands and looks right at me. “I can’t be who you deserve right now.”

I wiggle closer to the edge—to him. “What do I deserve?”

“Someone strong.” He shuts his eyes. “Someone who can be there for you whenever you need, and forever.”

“Clay.” The clarity of my voice startles even me. “I love you.”

He shakes his head. “No, you’re just confused. It’s the play.”

“Don’t you patronize me.” I drop his hands. “I said I love you, and I know what that means. I love the way you’ve always looked out for me and always will.” I reach for his face again. “How you understand and respect me. I love how you pretend to be gruff when you’re so damn sweet. I love so many things about you, I couldn’t fit them on a list.”

His eyes squeeze tighter. I’ve never seen someone look so agonized. I pull him closer. He drops his face into my neck.

“You don’t understand, Katie.”

I can’t bring myself to say it out loud, so I whisper. “Is it back?”

I don’t need to say what. The whole world saw Clay Colson on the front cover of every magazine, cut down in his prime. They sure did like to catch him leaving treatment without his beanie.

He squeezes me tighter, fingers biting into my back. “I believe it may be.”

My muscles go taut, and I want to throw up, but I stroke his back instead. “Daddy can be invincible.” I clear my throat. “But Clay needs to be human with me.”

His arms clench around me. “I love you, Katie.”

It’s like a spring pops inside me. I hold him as tight as I can. I won’t let anything, not anything, take him from me.

“I don’t want you taking care of me.” His words are so soft I almost miss them.

“It’s okay, Daddy.” I draw back. “We’ll take turns looking after each other.”

I see the shift in his eyes when I call him that. How his chest puffs, and he seems to get even taller.

He kisses me. I sink into him and kiss him back.

Let him take me to bed, and be everything we both ever needed.

* * *

“These all look perfect.” Doctor Graham shuts her folder.

The stake that’s been centered right through my heart for so long gives a little tug. Katie’s fingers clench around mine, and all I hear in the world in that moment is her exhale.

“Your message said I needed to come in and discuss the results?” I rub my jaw. I’ve been down this road. I know those are something-is-wrong words. I’ve received the all clear results too many times over the phone to pretend otherwise.

“Yes.” She smiles. “I thought it was important to have a chat, given this is your ten-year remission review.”

Ten years? Holy shit, has it been that long? It feels like only months ago when I sat in this exact office to receive life-shattering results from the paperwork in a similar folder.

“It’s my professional opinion that you do not require further monitoring unless you have specific symptoms or concerns.” She sets the folder on the desk. “Mr. Colson. You are young. You are healthy.” Her gaze darts to Katie and then to me. “And every now and then, I have a patient who needs that reminder in person.”

My head and body go empty.

I feel Katie’s hand in mine. Hear her laugh of relief. See her turn to me and smile like it’s Christmas and her birthday rolled into one.

But it’s like watching through a window from the outside.

Doctor Graham continues talking. I can’t take my gaze off Katie. Can’t stop the pounding promise of what this means.

Of what I’m going to do.

We leave the hospital. Katie’s chatter fills my car and my head. Trilling over the hot throb of my blood.

I pull up to the curb.

She falls silent for the first time. “Why are we at my house?”

My fists clench. Can’t look directly at her because I’m not sure what I’ll do.

“What’s wrong?” She my knee. “Aren’t you happy? This is good news.”

I take a breath that’s filled with her sweet scent and shards of everything I’ve ever wanted. “Katie, go inside, get your things, and say bye to your mother.”

Her eyelids give a startled flutter. She glances from the house to me. Her cheeks go pink. “Why?”

She already knows. I hear the hope in the squeak of her tone.

I lean forward and grab the chin of the most fucking perfect woman I’ve ever known and make her mine. “Because it’s time you came home with Daddy for good.”