It felt like another riddle waiting to be solved, but honestly? The less I knew, the safer we both were.

Hayden kissed my forehead. “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere-my little monster needs me.”

Little monster?! Okay, adorable. I grabbed my phone and immediately updated my chat app username to match.

Steve noticed in about two seconds flat. [Who are you planning to attack now?] he messaged.

I smirked, thinking, ‘Monsters don’t attack-they just make sure no one messes with

them.”

It had been a while since I’d heard from Steve. After Houston, all I knew was he’d sold his pool hall and gone off the grid.