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“If he could get into your dream, control it, he’s stronger than he was.”
“I know, Grammie. But that doesn’t make him stronger than me. I’ve thought about it. I have a home, work, people. I have a life, and the freedom to live it. He doesn’t have any of that. But he has time, nothing but time to sit and think and work on what he has, how to use it. So he’s stronger than he was.
“He’ll come tonight, like always, but I won’t let him take control.”
“I’ll stay at your place tonight.”
She shook her head at her brother. “I’ve got Bunk.”
And I want you with Grammie, just in case, she thought.
Rem let out a sound of frustration. “What’s Bunk going to do? Bite his dream ass?”
She flicked her gaze back to the mirror again.
“It’s what I can do. It’s what I’m going to do. I need to prove to him and to myself he can’t scare me with his bullshit. It’s bullshit, Rem, and I can’t let him win. I can promise you I’m more than ready for him.”
“You keep the charm bag over the bed, darling? And say the words?”
“I do, Grammie.”
“Put up two more. Three’s a strong number.”
“Then I will. But not tonight. Let him come when he thinks I’m weak. He’ll find out differently.”
“I don’t like it. I’m going to call Detective Howard.”
“Rem—”
“He knows you, so he’ll get it. Jesus, Thea, you’ve helped them plenty. Let them help you. It won’t hurt to check with the warden.”
“It’s a good idea, and a good compromise. Let your brother look after you a little, Thea. I’ll feel better for it, too.”
“All right.”
Riggs wouldn’t hurt their family again, Thea vowed as she drove into the cemetery. He’d taken enough from them. He wouldn’t get more.
When she parked, they got out of the car. They walked to the headstone together.
For All Time.
“Both Caleb and Waylon called this morning.” Lucy laid her flowers on the grave. “They never forget. They’re here with us now.”
Rem laid his flowers. “Not once, not one time in fifteen years has Dad’s family called or written. Not once.”
“We’re his family.” Thea laid her flowers with Rem’s, with Lucy’s. Then took her grandmother’s hand as Rem did on Lucy’s other side.
“We’re his family,” she repeated. “With Caleb and Waylon and their families. We’ll always be his family.”
Chapter Seventeen
Ty dealt with family.
Dealing meant trying to keep Bray safe, happy, and, please God, occupied while he continued to sort through Leona’s things. Sorting through so he could hopefully organize, make space, turn that space into a home.
Temporary or not, his boy deserved a home.
And with each day that passed, he started to think less about temporary.