Sydney blinked up at him, dazed and glowing. “I think I died,” she whispered.
Levi chuckled. “You’ll live.”
She laughed, weak and happy, snuggling closer between them.
Roland pressed a kiss to her temple. “That’s what breakfast in bed looks like around here. Just wait till lunch.”
She groaned, but she didn’t move away. Instead, she nestled deeper between them with a sigh so soft it made Roland’s heart ache.
Roland watched her lips part with gentle, even breaths, her entire body relaxed in a way that still felt impossibly rare. Like each exhale was a miracle. He knew how hard-won that peace was for her.
It scared the shit out of him, how fast she’d burrowed into his chest. How much he wanted to guard that softness with his life. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. Not with someone so new. Not with someone who still cried over the messages from her ex.
But then she looked at him like that—hopeful, bashful, believing him even when she said she almost didn’t—and he knew there was no going back.
Levi squeezed his hand. Roland squeezed back. They were both in this now. Both falling, fast.
It was early for them still. They had a long road ahead. But in that quiet morning light, tangled in limbs and love, it felt like everything might just be okay.
“I never thought…” Sydney began, voice small. “I didn’t know it could feel like this. Like I could be… safe, and wanted. Not just used.”
Roland stroked her hair. “You’re not a toy here, little bird. You’re a treasure.”
Sydney was quiet after that, and Roland almost thought she’d fallen asleep when she spoke up again. “You make me almost believe those words.”
Fuck. She was going to break his damn heart.
“Well, little miss,” Levi said before Roland could find his words. “Ro and I will make it our mission to remind you, every day, until youdobelieve it.”
She was quiet again, but her fingers gripped his wrist like a lifeline. “Do you think the sheriff will be able to do something about Greg?”
Levi’s voice was steady. “Even if he can’t, you’re safe here. With us.”
“Okay.” She let out a shaky breath. “Then I want to stay. Really stay.”
Then she tucked herself deeper into Roland’s embrace, snuggled in and finally fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sydney
Sydney stood in the middle of the room she’d shared with Chloe, her bag half-packed on the neatly made bed. It wasn’t a big room. It had two twin beds, a shared dresser, and posters Chloe had taped to the walls, but somehow, it had come to feel like a safe haven in a foreign land. A tiny corner of Rawhide that had become hers. More hers than any home she’d ever lived in before.
And now she was leaving it.
Well… not really. Not like goodbye-forever leaving. She’d still see Chloe every day. She was just moving to the staff apartments, that was all. But things were still changing.
Changing beds. Changing routines. Changing everything.
Her chest ached. Her Daddies had offered to come and help her pack, help her move, but she wanted this moment with her new best friend. But now, for the first time in what felt like forever, Sydney reached for Banana, clutching her stuffed friend close. It was a big, scary moment. Maybe sheshouldhave had her Daddies here with her after all. Drat.
“You look like someone just told you unicorns aren’t real,” Chloe said gently from across the room, her bright red hairpulled back into a messy ponytail. She sat on the edge of her bed, legs swinging, holding a purple Squishmallow to her chest like it might help keep her together.
Sydney gave her a watery smile. “I just… I didn’t expect to feel so sad.”
“I know,” Chloe said, nodding. “But it’s not the end, Syd. It’s just… the next thing. The next really amazing thing.”
Tears welled in Sydney’s eyes despite her best effort. “You’ve been so good to me. From the first minute I walked in. You didn’t even know me.”
