When the wheelchair arrived (hospital policy, non-negotiable), Jake's hands were gentle as he helped her into it. He fussed with the blanket over her legs, checked her water bottle, made sure she had everything she needed.
Hannah caught his hand, stilling his movements. "I'm okay."
Jake's fingers tangled with hers. "I know." But his other hand smoothed the blanket one more time, and Hannah had to bite back a smile.
Because this protective, slightly overprotective Jake? This man who would move heaven and earth to keep her safe?
This was exactly what she wanted.
Jake's apartmentfelt different now.
The last time Hannah had been here, she'd found his FBI badge. Had watched her world shatter on these hardwood floors. Had felt betrayal burn through her veins as everything she believed in crumbled.
Now...
Now Jake carried her across the threshold like something precious, his arms steady and sure around her despite her protests that she could walk.
"Humor me," he murmured against her hair. "Just for today."
And Hannah, who had never been good at letting anyone take care of her, found herself melting into his embrace. Because this was Jake. Her Jake. The man who had walked through fire to save her.
The apartment had changed. The whiskey stain was gone from the wall. Her photo was no longer on the fridge. Instead it was in a simple frame on the mantle. Other photos joined it—action shots from the fire station, his crew laughing together. Real memories, not the carefully curated lies of his undercover life.
But some things were the same.
Her favorite coffee mug still sat in his dish drain.
The blanket she'd always stolen was still draped over his couch.
The whole space still smelled like him—coffee and sawdust and home.
Jake carried her to the couch, setting her down with infinite care. But when he started to pull away, Hannah caught his shirt.
"Stay."
His eyes darkened. For a moment, neither of them moved. Then, slowly, he sat beside her. Hannah immediately curled into him, tucking herself against his side like she used to. Jake's arm came around her automatically, pulling her closer.
"I cleaned out the bedroom," he said after a moment, his voice rough. "Changed the sheets, put fresh towels in the bathroom. But if you're not comfortable?—"
"Jake?"
Jake's hand came up to cup her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. The bandages were rough against her skin, but his touch was infinitely gentle.
"I love you," he said simply. Like a fact. Like a promise. Like the truest thing he'd ever known.
Hannah's heart squeezed. Because this—this was real. This was Jake with all his walls down, all his masks gone, loving her completely.
And Hannah?
Hannah was finally ready to let herself be loved.
CHAPTER 34
Jake
Jake watchedHannah settle onto his couch, something tight and unrelenting squeezing in his chest.
She looked so damn small wrapped in his fire department hoodie, her feet tucked under her the way she used to sit on his couch before. Before the lies unraveled. Before his betrayal shattered everything between them. Before he'd lost her.
