“Jackson Henry and Maddox James,” Tessa answered promptly. “Jackson’s middle name is after Jasper’s late father, and Maddox is named after my grandfather who died last year.” She sniffled. “Jasper, he… he suggested using Micah for Maddox’s middle name, and I lost it. We named our children in honor of people who are dead. You weren’t dead. I knew you weren’t.”

She clung to his relatively uninjured side.

I’m sorry.

“Stop that,” she scolded, pushing the board away. “It’s not your fault. I’m sorry for yelling earlier. I’m not mad at you, obviously – just McCormick.” She paused here, hesitating for a moment before asking, “What did he do to you, Micah?”

It was a loaded question.

Clearly, Tessa could see the results of what Ren had done to him. The man had tied him up, he’d broken his shoulder, he’d choked Micah until he was on the brink of a blackout. But what Tessa was asking had nothing to do with his physical injuries, and Micah didn’t know how to answer. He didn’t know if he wanted to answer. After a moment, he picked up the marker.

Ren was gay. He hated himself and wanted to punish anyone who brought out those so-called “unnatural” urges in him.

It was brief, and vague, but an accurate enough description.

Tessa’s face fell, and she looked on the verge of tears – again. “Oh Micah, I’m so sorry.” She took a deep breath in through her nose and managed to compose herself. “I’m just so glad that the bastard is dead. Your gun-toting, mafioso boyfriend turned out to be good for something at least.”

Micah wasn’t entirely sure what to say to that.

“You know I thought it was him at first, who took you,” she admitted after a moment.

Micah huffed, rolling his eyes.

I know. My dad told me you spilled everything.

“Can you blame me? I was scared! It was less than a week before you were taken that Damon found out you were a cop!” She shook her head, letting out a breath. “But it became obvious after we interrogated him that he had no idea you were even missing until we told him.” She shot Micah a mischievous look. “He didn’t have to come in for the interview, you know; it’s not like we could subpoena him with no evidence. Personally, I think he only agreed to come in because he thought you were going to be there, and he was going through Micah-withdrawals and wanted to catch a glimpse of you.”

Micah snorted, letting her know what he thought of that idea. (After all, Micah was pretty sure that the man had still been pissed at him at the time.)