It felt as if he’d come full circle.
Found the reason why he’d kept fighting when his career had gone sideways. Why all his previous attempts at relationships had ended before they’d even begun.
He didn’t care that they’d only really gotten to know each other over the past several days. That they’d been thrown together amidst bullets and bombs. Because for the first time since leaving the army, he felt as if he was exactly where he belonged.
That he was home.
Rowan twitched in her sleep, a few mumbled words sounding in the stillness. He rubbed her arm, smiling at the way she snuggled into him, when she screamed, bolted upright. He moved with her, avoiding the strikes she aimed his way as she tossed the blankets aside and rolled to her feet.
Bodie turned on the light as he jumped off the bed, palms up by his shoulders. “Easy, Rowan, it’s just me.”
She squinted against the light, brow furrowed, chest heaving before she relaxed her shoulders as her head tipped back.
He rounded the bed and eased her into his arms, her head tucked into his shoulder. “And here I’d promised you a dream-free sleep.”
She smiled against his chest. “Trust me. This is the longest I’ve gone without.”
He nodded, waiting until the tremors stopped. “Your dad, again?”
“Mostly. Though, since I watched that body cam footage…” She tensed. “I keep hearing that explosion. Remembering how it looked through the scope. I don’t know how you…”
Bodie blew out a harsh breath. “Sadly, it’s not the worst I’ve seen.”
“God, Bodie.” She cleared her throat, stared up at him. “I’m really sorry about Evan, and I swear, I won’t stop until I’ve burned Veridian to the ground.”
“We’ll both burn it. Team, remember?”
“And my boss was worried I wouldn’t play nice.”
He tugged her backwards toward the bed. “C’mon. It’s early, and you could use a couple more hours before Nick barges in.”
She moved with him, settling in his arms as he tugged her close to his chest.
This is how he wanted her.
Loved.
Cherished.
Safe.
Rowan drew lazy patterns on his chest, her breath a feather-soft caress across his skin, when his phone chirped, hushed footsteps sounding outside his door.
He rolled, had his Sig in his hand a second later, Rowan on his six. He tossed her his spare Beretta, kept her close when someone huffed.
“Before you lose your shit and come out guns blazing, it’s just me, Page.”
Bodie cursed, glared at Nick when he opened the door. “I damn near shot you.”
Nick looked past him at Rowan, smiled. “And here I thought some private time would ease all that pent-up energy. You really need to learn how to relax.”
“Armed mercenaries are hunting us. I’ll relax once they’re off the board.” He scanned the hallway, then focused on Nick as he leaned against the door frame. “Why are you breaking into my apartment before the sun’s even up?”
“I didn’t break in. Dalton has the code. And there’s been a development. I need both of you downstairs in your office. Now. Sloane’s calling in five.” Nick turned, started walking as he tossed, “Good morning, Rowan,” over his shoulder.
Bodie shook his head, looked back at Rowan as she stood there, smiling. He moved over to her, tugged her close. “This isn’t how I wanted the morning to go.”
He’d planned on breakfast in bed — her for dessert.
