Micah wasn’t sure how long they sat there, crying into each other’s arms – a sweet release of their pent-up emotions – but by the time their tears ran dry, Tessa had managed to squeeze herself into the bed with him – possible only because of her recently shrunken stomach – and was stroking his hair.

When he felt calm enough to do so, Micah picked up the whiteboard.

Names?

“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.