I glance toward the window, already knowing what I’m going to see before I see it.
Faulker and Marshall.
I straighten slowly.
“They’re home,” I say, more to myself than to her.
She stiffens instantly, panic flaring back into her eyes.
“No,” she whispers. “I can’t—” Her breath hitches. “I don’t want them to see me like this.”
“They won’t,” I promise, and the certainty in my voice surprises even me. “Bathroom, or my room. Your choice.”
She shakes her head, eyes too wide. “Anywhere but where they can see… this.”
I nod once. Decision made. I cross the room, grab my coat off the chair, and drape it over her shoulders without touching skin. A barrier. Something solid.
“Head down,” I say quietly. “Stay close to me.”
She hesitates for half a second.
Then she stands.
I position myself between her and the door, blocking every angle without making it obvious. My hand stays just behind her back, not touching, just there in case she stumbles.
The laughter outside gets closer, and the locks beep as they punch the code.
I open the door at the exact second I need to.
“Killer!” Faulker calls out. “Thought you were still out.”
“Was,” I answer evenly. “I’m heading upstairs.”
Marshall squints at me. “You look like hell.”
“You brought someone here. I thought we weren’t doing that while Paul?—”
“Long day. Won’t happen again.” I move without breaking stride, guiding her past them, my body doing what it’s trained to do, shield, redirect, control the space.
Up the stairs, down the hall, door closed, lock turned, the noise drops away.
I turn to her then, finally letting myself look. She’s pale, exhausted, still shaking, but not as bad.
Safe.
“For the record,” I say quietly, “you don’t owe anyone an explanation. Especially not tonight.”
She nods, pressing her hand to her chest again, breathing slow but real.
She exhales a long breath.
“Sit,” I say, nodding toward the bed. “Or the chair. Your choice.”
She sits on the edge of the bed, hands clasped tight in her lap, eyes everywhere except me.
I kick off my shoes, shrug out of my jacket, then pause when she finally looks up at me.
“Don’t start your filthy talk, or try anything with me tonight,” she says.
