Chapter 120

He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off before he got a single word out. “You have been busy, rabbit. And you have changed.” While her words were as condescending and coy as ever, her tone held something else entirely. There was exhaustion there, and did he hear a hint of desperation? Or relief that the man who sat before her was somehow a better specimen than the one from their first meeting?

Kenna looked up at him with a questioning expression, but he simply rested one arm on her chair and nodded. “I’m a work in progress,” he said in a reserved tone. Adelaide hadn’t spared the insults last time, and Dakota wasn’t exactly thrilled at the prospect of a second onslaught. Especially not in front of the only person who looked up to him.

“Indeed.” When she finally raised her eyes, it was to look at Kenna. “And is it your doing, young miss? Keeping him in line.”

Kenna shrugged. “Dakota doesn’t need anyone to make him a good person. He just is.”