We pulled into the gas station like a pack of wolves rolling into neutral territory—engines cooling, boots hitting pavement, the air thick with road dust and caffeine cravings. Two hours out from Jasper, and the sun was starting to dip low, painting the sky in streaks of orange and steel.
I was halfway through pumping gas when I heard Matteo’s voice behind me.
“So… you kissed our sister.”
I didn’t even turn around. Just finished topping off the tank and clicked the nozzle back into place.
Salvatore let out a low whistle. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”
Luca, Kat’s papa, leaned against the hood of his truck, arms crossed, watching me like a hawk sizing up a coyote. “You made it public, boy. Whole damn compound saw it.”
My dad chuckled from the bench near the vending machines. “Wasn’
