Lancey Carter was pacing back and forth in Cassian and Ana’s living room, anxiously waiting.

“Daughter–in–law,” Ian Rhodes called out.

Lancey stopped and looked at him. “Dad, it’s getting late. You should go home and get some rest.”

Ian shook his head. “How can I possibly sleep at a time like this?”

Lancey paused. She felt exactly the same way, so she didn’t push the old man any further.

Just then, they heard the sound of someone entering the security code at the front door.

Ian and Lancey exchanged hopeful glances, their eyes lighting up as they looked toward the entrance.

Heavy footsteps echoed through the hallway, and Richard Rhodes appeared in the doorway, looking rushed.

“Dad, honey, why are you guys still up?”

The disappointment was clear in both Lancey and Ian’s eyes when they realized it was just Richard.

Richard awkwardly scratched his nose. Apparently, he wasn’t exactly the person they were hoping to see tonight.

“I heard about Ana’s situation and flew back immediately. How are things now?”

“Did Thomas or Gilbert call you?” Ian’s expression darkened.

“Thomas did. He wanted me to talk Cassian out of going after the Donovans.”

“So that’s why you’re here? To try and stop him?” Lancey’s face scrunched up in frustration as she glared at Richard.

Those two brothers had already pissed her off enough, and now Richard had rushed back from his business trip just to join their little intervention?

Richard scratched his nose again, wondering what the hell he’d done to make both his wife and father look at him like he was garbage.

“Why would I want to stop him? Ana’s family now. When family’s in trouble, you don’t run away–you step up.”

He paused, then added, “I already chewed those two idiots out over the phone.”

That seemed to improve his wife and father’s mood considerably.

Just then, they heard footsteps at the door again, and Cassian walked in carrying Ana.

Ana hadn’t expected everyone to still be awake. The moment she entered, she found herself face–to–face with the whole family in an awkward staring contest.

“Put me down,” she whispered urgently.

“Oh no, don’t worry about it! It’s late anyway–we were just heading home,” Lancey said quickly, relief flooding her voice now that Ana was back safe. “You two go get some rest.”

Ana’s cheeks turned pink with embarrassment. “Grandpa, Mom, Dad, you don’t have to rush off. You can just stay here tonight if you want.”

“No, no, we’re so close by. It’s really no trouble at all.”

Lancey shot meaningful looks at Richard and Ian, and they took the hint, following her toward the door.

In Lancey’s mind, this was Cassian and Ana’s love nest, and having the older generation hanging around would just make the young couple feel awkward.

Truth was, Ana genuinely didn’t mind having them stay - she really meant the invitation.

Watching them leave, Ana actually felt a little guilty.

Cassian gently set Ana down. “I’ll run you a bath.”

“Okay.”

Ana suddenly thought of something and grabbed Cassian’s hand. “I’m sorry.”

In the car earlier, she’d been so exhausted that she’d fallen asleep in his arms. Now that she finally had some energy back, she could properly apologize.

Cassian froze, his brow furrowing, “Sorry for what?”

“Because of me, you made enemies with so many people. And your family’s been worried sick.”

Cassian reached out and gently tapped her nose. “Silly girl, we’re family. Family looks out for each other–that’s what we do.”

He paused, then asked with a hint of vulnerability, “If you found out I was in trouble, wouldn’t you move heaven and earth to save me?”

He was kind of fishing for an answer here, hoping against hope that even if Ana was just saying what he wanted to hear, she’d give him something to hold onto.

Ana looked straight into his eyes. “I’d give my life to save you if I had to.”

A smile tugged at the corners of Cassian’s mouth. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. It was all worth it. Every damn bit of it.

Ana took a few days off work, and Cassian did too. He worked from home so he could stay with her.

Whenever Ana woke up, she didn’t have to lift a finger. Cassian would carry her to the bathroom, then carry her to the kitchen for meals. After eating, he’d settle her on the couch with the TV remote and her phone.

Meanwhile, he’d work on his laptop nearby, keeping her company.

Ana laughed at the whole setup. “I feel like a total couch potato.”

Cassian’s eyebrows knitted together in concern.