He took a step closer, the scent of his expensive cologne mixing with the smell of the sterile room.

“You don’t have the resources to secure a property on your own,” he said, though his tone was less demanding now.

“I have the settlement from my mother’s estate, and I have my independence,” I said. “If you want to see your son, you will come to us.”

Damon’s jaw worked as he fought down his instinct to command.

“And what about us?” he asked quietly.

“There is no ‘us’ right now,” I said. “You have to earn that.”

He stood silent for a long moment, the tension between us thicker than it had been during the federal raids.

“Fine,” he said finally, his voice tight. “Where are you going?”

“Marlene has a property further down the coast,” I said. “It’s quiet. No one knows about it.”

“I will have my men monitor the perimeter,” he said, taking out his phone.

“No,” I said, putting my hand over his screen. “No men. No cameras. Just us.”

He looked down at my hand on his phone, then up at my face.