Aliana’s POV

I chuckled. “You only love it because you know I’ll let you drink for free.”

“Damn right,” she said, raising her glass in a toast. “But no, really. It suits you. You’ve always taken care of people, whether you realize it or not.”

I smiled at that, warmth blooming in my chest. “I just want something that belongs to me—something that doesn’t have blood on it.”

She nodded, understanding. “Fresh start. Clean slate.”

I exhaled, staring at the kitchen around us. “Yeah.”

She leaned back in her chair, eyes thoughtful. “I meant what I said before, you know. I want to stick around. I want to help.”

I...