78. Chapter 78

78

Wren

M y stomach growls, reminding me of the last thing I ate… hell, what, a day or two ago ?

Fuckballs. It feels like three months to me.

I eye the plate on the table—cheese, crackers, and some high-end caviar I wouldn't touch on a good day. But the banana… that's doable. I peel the damn thing with one hand, raising an eyebrow as I bite into it. Instant relief. I didn't realize how starved I was until the taste hit me.

Chewing with a full mouth, I grunt. "Ugh… so good."

Soph watches me, amused, and I can't help but smirk through another bite. This thing tastes like heaven. No caviar bullshit for me.

"Really going for the gourmet meal there," she teases, leaning back in her chair.

"Don't judge me," I mumble, mouth still half full. "It's 5 AM. Banana or death, right?"

Soph just laughs, shaking her head. I swallow hard, feeling that hunger hit me again, but I pace myself.

Clearing my throat, I try to shift the conversation. "So, uh, your kids are here?" I say, my voice a little gruffer than I meant. Talking with my mouth full was probably not the best plan.

Soph's whole face lights up like I flipped a switch. Pride oozes out of her. "Yeah, they are. Wanna meet them later?"

I pause mid-chew, taking in that energy of hers.

Later?

Will I even be around later?

Soph's energy is all sunshine and confidence, like she already knows the answer. Meanwhile, I'm over here, just trying to figure out if I can even breathe past tomorrow.

Like she can read my damn mind, Sophia folds her arms across her chest, giving me that look. "You, Wren Davis, are not going anywhere." Her tone's firm, no room for argument.

I raise an eyebrow, wiping the back of my hand across my mouth. "Well, well, look who learned to give orders. Since when did you start playing boss lady?" I lean back, putting my hands on my hips, ready to throw something snarky back. She's not the only one who can get tough.

Soph grins, completely unfazed. "Since I had two mafia brats to wrangle. You get good at bossing people around when you're chasing down kids who think they own the world."

I let out a dry laugh, more from exhaustion than anything else. Damn, she's changed . Sophia was always the one trying to keep the peace, but now? There's a hardness to her, a confidence that wasn't there before. She's had to grow up faster than the rest of us, dealing with the chaos of her own family.

She nods toward the bed, her face softening a bit. "Besides, Em and your dad really need rest, Wren. You know it."

I sigh, and it's not just a tired sigh; it's that deep-breath-before-surrender kind of sigh. She's right. As much as I'd love to fight back, to argue about staying or running, Em and John are finally safe. The thought of dragging them out of here now ?

I'd be the asshole if I did.

I swallow the last bite of the banana, avoiding her eyes because admitting she's right is not something I do easily.

"Fine," I mutter, but it's more to myself than to her. I don't even know what my plan is at this point, and that's the part that pisses me off. I'm used to having control, and right now? I've got none.

Soph's already halfway out the door, turning back with a sly smile. "Go clean up, will ya? You smell like someone who wrestled with death and lost."

Soph's right.

I'm not going anywhere. Not yet .

And if I'm being honest with myself? I probably don't have much of a choice.