He opens his eyes, so dark, so hard and frightening. Even when he’s laying his cards on the table, showing his hand, he still has the ability to make me tremble with one look. I think he’s going to say no. I believe it with every last fiber of my being, but then he takes a deep breath and says, “Yes. Yes, I want that. I want you.”

I reach up on my tiptoes and I gently place my lips against his. My other hand finds the center of his chest; I can feel his heartbeat there, faster than normal, like the steady, insistent knocking on a door. “Then all you have to do—is let go,” I tell him. “We’re going to get Lacey back. We’re going to get a fresh shot at this whole thing, Zeth. We’re going to make it work, no matter what it costs.”

“It’s probably going to cost us everything,” Zeth tells me, his arms carefully, tentatively wrapping them around my waist, drawing me to him.

I nod, because I already know this. I already know it, and I’ve made my peace with it. “Then that’s what it takes.”