“I’m working hard to ensure that everyone is safe.”
I walked closer, sitting down on the couch. I reached for her hand, tightly gripping it. “I meant what I said, Jade. I’m not going anywhere.”
Jade frowned. “I want to believe that, Brandon, but right now…I can’t do this.” She waved her hand between us. “What happened before…I can’t…” She looked away from me, looking toward the stairs. “A lot is going on, and this is complicated. With everything going on…”
I was disappointed in hearing her words, but I understood. Everything that happened tonight only made this already complicated relationship that much more complicated. We also needed to focus on protecting the pack rather than trying to figure our relationship out.
“I’ll wait,” I stated, and she frowned.
“You don’t know that I’ll come around.”
I didn’t. But I wasn’t giving up. I’d already lost three years with her and the start of my daughter’s life. I wasn’t losing anymore.
“I meant what I said. I’m staying here. After this is all done, I’m still Alpha, and I’m still going to be here. I’m not leaving. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for you and Ilsa.”
She stared at me for a moment, her face blank. She looked down at her phone. “What’s the next step?”
“Border control,” I said. “Monitoring and waiting.” I took in her eyes, seeing that she had bags under them. I could imagine she was probably exhausted after everything today.
“Why don’t you go to bed?”
She nodded her head, pulling herself up. She tossed the blanket onto the couch but paused when she stopped in front of me. She turned, looking hurt. “Are you mad that I’m not ready for anything more than this?”
I smiled and shook my head. “I could never be mad at you for being cautious, Jade. You have to do what you think is best, and I respect that.”
She pulled her lips into a thin line and nodded before she headed up the stairs. I watched her until she disappeared.
My mind thought about the bunker and how her voice echoed around us. I thought of her hands tight on my shoulder, my cock deep in her.
I knew this wasn’t the end, just the beginning.
Chapter 16 - Jade
I tossed and turned all night, getting little sleep. I ended up slipping out of bed and walking into Ilsa’s room, and watched her sleep. I took in each breath, brushing her hair back as she slept like an angel. I felt relieved but scared of what the future held. I knew that Brandon would protect us. I knew he would never let anything bad happen to Ilsa, but what if he wasn’t able to keep us safe, as he had said? What if something happened when he wasn’t around?
I don’t know how long I sat there staring at her before I got up and went downstairs for coffee. I found Brandon was already at the Island working on a mug. He flipped through some papers, his eyes glued to them. I wasn’t even sure he noticed me entering the kitchen.
“Morning.”
His eyes snapped up, and I could see he hadn’t slept any better than I had. It made my stomach dip. “Is there more?”
He nodded, and I slipped past him toward the coffee pot. I poured myself a mug and sat down next to him. Neither of us spoke as he flipped through his paper, my fingers tight on my mug. I tapped my finger on the mug and glanced at his papers.
“What’s that?”
“Just some strategist to discuss with the guys.”
I nodded and looked back at my mug. The house was quiet, too quiet.
“You look tired.”
I took a sip of my coffee. “You should look at yourself.”
He gave me a half smile. “I didn’t sleep well. Can I safely say you didn’t either?”
I shook my head. “Yeah, you can.”
He pulled his papers together. “I was just going to start some breakfast. Did you want some?”
