Page 71 of This Reckless Home

“You threatening me?” He tries to sound tough, but there's uncertainty in his voice, in the way his eyes dart away before coming back to me.

“I’m explaining consequences.” I step even closer even though the proximity makes my skin crawl. “And before you think I'm bluffing, ask yourself why a woman who just handed you a million dollars in cash seems so unconcerned about what you might do with that information.”

I watch the thought process. The realisation. The fear.

“I have resources you can't imagine. Connections you don't understand.” My voice is ice. “And I protect what's mine.”

He swallows.

I straighten, smooth my jacket. Back to business. “Enjoy the money. Forget you ever had a son.”

I turn and walk out, head high, steps steady.

It's only when I reach the car that my hands start shaking.

“I HATE U, I LOVE U (FEAT. OLIVIA O’BRIEN)” BY GNASH, OLIVIA O’BRIEN

STEELE

I watch Blossom's hands as she holds a sleeping Noah, stroking over his face and hair again and again. They're shaking slightly.

The woman who just threatened a man in his own home is barely holding it together.

“Is that the first time you've done that?” Nox asks quietly from beside her. “Threatened someone?”

“No.” Her voice is steady, but I can hear the strain underneath.

My jaw tightens. How many times will she do this? Walk into danger alone, and bring children back from people who don’t deserve them?

“The other times—” Anatole starts.

“Mia's mother didn't need threatening. She was high when I showed up with the money, barely coherent. I had her sign, took Mia, and never looked back.”

“And Liam’s father?” I blurt, having turned around to face her and her hazel eyes meet mine, a world of sorrow and fear in them. She doesn’t answer.

“Blossom?” Nox prompts, and she still holds my gaze.

“Held a gun to my head the whole time.”

Fuck!

“Jesus, Bloom,” Ant hisses, and she shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“I’m a rich white woman with connections and generational wealth. That makes me dangerous to people who have something to hide. I've learned to weaponize my privilege.”

I’m silent when I finally turn back to face the front, my mind a fucking mess.

Liam.

The name hits me hard in the chest. The white supremacist's son. Two hundred thousand fucking dollars that funded hate, harm and persecution.

But watching her tonight — the cold calculation, the fierce protection, the way she didn't hesitate to break every law for Noah.

This is who she is. Who she's always been.

She paid those Nazis because leaving Liam there wasn't an option for her. Just like not paying Noah's parents wasn't an option. Just like not threatening Mr. Marshall wasn't an option.

She does what needs to be done. Uses every weapon she has.