“We’ll take care of you,” I promised, feeling fiercely protective of him. Needing him to know he was not on his own. “You’re not alone.” He nodded as he sniffled on my shoulder. I pulled back and started moving to the driver’s side door. “Now let’s move, this snow is getting heavier.”

As soon as we got in the car a call came in from Easton. I turned to Ari, who was looking at the Bluetooth screen like it was about to blow up.

“Hey.” I heard some rustling before Easton’s came in through the speakers. “I got Yin. He’s a little wet, but doing okay.” I turned to Ari, who looked like he was going to start crying again.

“Thank you,” I said, relieved they were both fine. “I have Ari here. I’m sure they want to check on each other.”

I raised an eyebrow in question at Ari who immediately opened his mouth to say something when Yin’s low voice came over the speakers.

“I’m sorry.” He burst into tears then and my heart broke for how distraught he sounded. Damn Ari’s uncle for doing this shit.

These were good kids. They did not deserve to be going through this. I was once again so fucking grateful for Easton, who made sure that Yin was at least out of the snow, if more than a little bit distressed.

“You didn’t do anything, bébé.” Ari’s voice, for the first time, sounded back to normal. Clearly trying to be strong for Yin. “You were kissing me. That’s all. My uncle is the one who did this. You and I didn’t do anything wrong. I have your phone, cher. I will keep it safe for you.”

“I love you.” Yin’s quiet but unafraid, unashamed words made me feel like an intruder. It made me wonder if I’d ever be that brave, to tell Easton how I felt no matter who was watching. I glanced over at Ari and how hard he was working at keeping himself together, but still fearlessly responded to Yin’s words. “Je t’aime aussi.”

I cleared my throat, feeling out of sorts from the last few minutes. “Easton, why don’t we all meet at my place?” I looked to Ari, who was now staring out the window, his hand gripping a phone I assumed was Yin’s. “Ari, you okay with that plan?”

He nodded but didn’t look at me. It seemed almost like now that he’d heard his love was safe, he went into himself. His body there, but his mind had retreated somewhere else. I heard Easton whisper something, and then his clear strong voice came on the phone.

“We’ll see you there. Ari, did you get a chance to get all your immigration paperwork before you left? If not we can come with you to get them once things are calmer.”