Page 75 of One Merciful Moment

"We need to protect what we have here." Finn put his hands on Kallie's shoulders. "We might not age in Everstill, but the world on the other side does. If the truth gets out and people learn what this place can do, we'll have trouble."

"It's like the fucking fountain of youth," Vaughn muttered.

Boone knew what people would do for a second chance. If they discovered Everstill, they'd tear the town apart and the people too. Strangers would unbalance what they worked so hard to stabilize.

Finn lifted his chin. "The first rule: no one speaks to any outsiders about the differences in Everstill. We must, at all costs, keep the town stabilized. We all learned what happens when everything and everyone becomes unbalanced."

Wade frowned. "Who's making these rules?"

"All of us who have lived here. We will be the council. We'll have a vote. No exceptions." Copper slammed his hand down on the table.

Finn nodded. "Second rule: once the veil chooses you, you're free to come and go, but only if you don't bring trouble back to Everstill. No one uses this place for selfish gain. No one exploits it."

He looked around the room, meeting every pair of eyes. "We all know who we are. Everstill might've pulled in men who didn't leave a positive imprint on the world, men who were lost, broken, who didn't matter out there on the other side."

Boone's jaw popped. It was as if Finn had peeled back Boone's entire life and spoken directly into the hollow places he'd spent years trying to ignore. The years he'd wasted. The people he'd hurt. The version of himself who drifted through life like a ghost, leaving nothing behind but damage and disappointment.

Ashley linked her fingers with his under the table. She held him like she already knew every broken piece he carried in his soul and had chosen him anyway.

She made him feel seen. She made him want to stay.

Finn's voice softened. "But that's not what we are now. Not anymore. We've built something here that nobody else could do. Something real. Something worth protecting."

"We need to build Everstill into a community, not a holding place," Copper said, leaning back in his chair.

Boone exhaled slowly. He knew deep down he'd probably never be chosen to leave. Everstill had tethered him too deeply. He wasn't meant for the outside world anymore.

But Ashley could choose to come back.

To him.

"This place is a second chance," Finn said. "For all of us."

Boone looked at Ashley. She smiled back, eyes soft and full of a love that made his chest ache in the best way. She leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder, her breath warm against his neck. He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

"We're home," she whispered against his shoulder.

"Yeah," he murmured. "We are."

Whatever future Everstill built. Whatever rules, structures, and legacy came. He'd be a part of it.

With Ashley.