“Just be here with me.”
I stood and took her hand, leading her out of the living room and to her bedroom. I took off her top and bottoms before placing her into bed, tucking her under the sheets and comforter. I followed suit, stripping down to just my boxers before making myself comfortable behind her, wrapping my arm around her, pulling her into me. She was spooned in perfectly as I placed a hand under the pillow, propping her head up and into the crook of my neck.
She fit there perfectly.
After a moment, her body started to shake softly, and I heard the sniffles before her body shook more against me. I held her tighter as she cried in my arms. I rubbed my hand up and down the side of her body and whispered how much I loved her over and over again while placing kisses on her head.
I did this until she was fully asleep in my arms.
It wasn’t until then that I considered her to be safe from the day that had just happened. I was taking a vow in the darkness of her room that I would make it so that she would never feel this way again. That she would never be scared of someone threatening to out me to the public because of her.
That Parker would never make her scared or show up in her life again. I didn’t care how much money I needed to throw around to make it happen, but I would.
I would protect Odette at all costs.
Even if it meant revealing myself as CovertRetriever.
Irolled over, feeling the empty space next to me.
Damn.
Maybe it was all a dream. I was on my back now, staring up at the ceiling. Memories came flooding back—definitely not a dream. The sun shone through the bedroom window, and I looked at the time. It was morning, and I’d slept well over fourteen hours at this point.
I rolled over, my hand tracing the spot where Ryker had clearly been. He’d come for me, stayed all night, except he wasn’t here now. The spot was empty, cold. Maybe it was for the best.
I sighed and sat up in bed, letting the sheet fall to my waist.
“Ugh.” My back popped, and it hurt to stretch my arms all the way out. “This is what I get.”
My brain was not cooperating at the moment to think straight. I loved this man. He loved me, but with Parker in the picture, what if it imploded everything? Ryker said he would take care of everything, so did Beckett, and knowing Jemma, she’d be right along with them.
I took a deep breath and let it out.
A loud whistle came from somewhere in the house that sounded exactly like my kettle. I made quick work of finding one of my lounge sets.
When I opened the door to my room, I could hear a conversation coming from the kitchen. I followed the voices and found not just Ryker standing at the island, but also Beckett and Jemma. They were all huddled around the counter, each with a mug in hand, talking. I wasn’t paying enough attention to make out what they were discussing, but it was Jemma who caught sight of me first.
“Good morning,” she said softly.
Ryker’s head whipped around, and he made a beeline for me. Worry was still written across his face, just like it had been last night. Eyebrows tight together, lips pursed.
He reached out to me, grabbing my hand.
“How did you sleep?”
“Good, I think?” I shrugged. I didn’t feel tired or lethargic like some nights when I didn’t get enough sleep. I did, however, feel the hangover from the panic attack.
“How are you feeling, honey?” Jemma came up to us, and she reached for my other hand.
“I’m not really sure. My body is in flight mode, and it hurts to move.” I sighed, my chest heavy.
“You should go relax, my love. I can bring you food and some tea.” Ryker spoke, and as much as I agreed with him about lying back down, I really wanted to know why all of them were here again.
“What are you all talking about?” I changed the subject.
“About last night and the claims Parker made.” Beckett piped up this time. I liked him being here now. I knew that with his response, he wouldn’t try to baby me.
“Seriously?” Jemma whipped her head around, and while I couldn’t directly see the look on her face, I knew she was giving him a major side-eye for even mentioning Parker’s name.
