“So,” Jake said finally, leaning back with a small shrug, “you either accept that she makes her own choices… or you’re going to get yourself into a situation you don’t walk out of clean. Your move.”
Axel swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the words. They weren’t just warnings—they were truths he couldn’t ignore. But deep down, he knew one thing with absolute clarity: he wasn’t going to let Dillan hurt Harmony without consequence.
And somehow, whether by brute force or patience, he’d figure out how to make that choice count.
Axel blinked, frowning slightly. “I’ve never heard of him before. Dillan… he’s not from here?”
Jake smiled, a slow, knowing grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Nope,” he said, shaking his head. “He’s from the next county over. Doesn’t live here. Probably met Harmon
