Page 153 of Sins of the Hidden

"Bathroom first." His tone carried no room for argument. I stared up at him, confusion creasing my brow. "UTI." Had he been researching things? "Now, Oakley."

Mind on autopilot, I stepped into the bathroom, back hitting the door before sliding down. Dropping my face in my hands, shame shot through me.

I just let my husband fuck me.

Iheard her footsteps stagger slightly when we walked down the stairs from her childhood bedroom. I knew my come was still between her thighs, how her unstable gait would last for the next day.

Part of me wanted to say fuck this mission and fuck her instead. But I wasn't going to push my damn luck. I was letting Oakley set the pace with how she wanted to handle our relationship, and I was going to enjoy every fucking inch she gave me.

Law and Claudia were by the front door talking when she looked up as we reached the bottom step, her expression brightening at Oakley. Her eyes flicked between Law and me—always a smile on her face.

"Are you feeling better?" Law's eyes flicked to the pink blooming across her cheeks, then to the mess of chestnut strands clinging to her neck. She gave a jerky nod, gaze fixed on the ground. He turned to me. "We need to leave."

Claudia smiled at Oakley. "Girls' night!"

The sound that left me wasn't human. I fixed my gaze on Claudia, watching the temperature of her expression cool beneath my stare. Then Oakley's hand touched my arm, bringing me back to her. "I'm staying here tonight, remember?"

I knew because I would never let her be by herself again. Not after she was almost taken from me.

"I even picked up the good cocoa for your favorite cake," Claudia continued before looking at me. "I'll even find some good snacks for your hubby."

My eyes moved between them, not understanding why Claudia looked so happy to spend time with Oakley. Was this what it was like to have a loving parent? Them actually wanting to spend time with you without anything in return when you had nothing to give them?

"I remember when you used to sneak chocolate under the table during dinner," Claudia snickered, manicured fingers brushing her lips.

Law chuckled. "Remember Oak's sixth birthday? She insisted on baking her own cake—wouldn't let anyone help."

Claudia laughed. "It looked like a brick and tasted worse, but we ate every bite and told her it was perfect."

"Because it was," Law said, his expression transforming. "Our little girl made it."

Their love had no price tag. No payment required. My fingers twitched. For a moment, I got a glimpse of what might have been if Mother had loved instead of used.

"Keep her safe," I told Claudia. My eyes caught on family photos lining the wall, on how Claudia touched Oakley's shoulder, on the protective heat in Law's gaze. These people would shield her in ways I understood and ways I never would. My eyes dropped briefly to her jaw, where makeup covered the mark from my failure.

Her expression softened. "I'd never let anything happen to my daughter, V."

Law checked his gun, tucked it into his shoulder holster. Claudia approached me without fear, making Oakley's heart rate accelerate. "I'll make you some eggs and bacon for the morning. Sorry I didn't know you were a carnivore, but I'll always make sure there are food options for you here."

I stared at her. Her words formed a pattern I couldn't decode.

She smiled, unbothered by my silence. "Trevor, bring him back in one piece. I'd like to see my son-in-law again."

The term struck Law first—his jaw tightened, veins mapping his neck as he made a strangled noise somewhere between curse and denial.

Law's expression shifted to something childlike. "What about me?"

She rolled her eyes, hand settling on his shoulder. "Distance makes the heart grow fonder, dear."

Something inside me shifted—a forgotten door opening. Like a punch to a place that couldn't feel pain but registered impact anyway. It vanished instantly, sealed away where weakness belonged.

"I-I'll see you tomorrow?" Oakley asked as we prepared to leave. Uncertainty threaded her voice.

I held her gaze, measuring her reaction. "Tomorrow."

She leaned forward suddenly, pressing her lips to my covered jaw. Law's breath caught. "I'll be waiting."

She played the role perfectly—devoted wife for watching eyes. But the expression in her gaze didn't feel like a performance. Like their lives depended on the lie.

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