“My spare bedroom,” he says.“It’s technically for my mom when she visits, or Kael when he snores, or Atlas when he pretends he doesn’t want to sleep over, but—” He scratches the back of his neck.“It’s yours tonight.If you want it.”
The room is clean.
Simple.
Unexpectedly soft.
A queen bed with a gray comforter.A small dresser.A lamp.No clutter.
“Thank you,” I say.
Kael stands in the doorway, arms crossed.“We’ll be out front.”
Atlas hovers behind him, looking like he wants to rip the door off its hinges just to rebuild it stronger.
“Finn,” Kael says quietly, “you keep your phone on.If anything feels off, you call immediately.No hesitation.”
Finn nods.“Yeah.Obviously.”
Atlas adds, “Wren—lock the door.Don’t answer for anyone but us.I’ll swing by your apartment and check every corner.”
The guilt hits hard.“You don’t have to—”
“I do,” he says simply.
And I know he means it.
Kael steps close—not touching, but close enough I feel the warmth radiate from him.“We’ll be five minutes away at most,” he says.“I’ll keep an eye on the street.”
My throat tightens.“Thank you.”
Atlas nods once, sharp and protective.“Text if you need anything.”
Finn stands behind me like a softer shadow.
Kael meets Finn’s eyes.“You don’t leave her.Not even to piss.”
Finn sputters.“I can just leave the door open!”
Atlas looks at him like he’s an idiot.“You’re not leaving her.”
“I’m not leaving her,” Finn repeats dutifully.
Kael gives one last look at me—slow, assessing, making sure I’m steady—and then he turns.Atlas follows.The door closes behind them.
The quiet hits immediately.
Finn exhales like he’s been holding his breath since we parked.“Well.That was...intense.”
I sink onto the edge of the bed.“A little.”
He leans against the doorframe, watching me with a look that’s too soft for the circumstances.“How’s your head?”
“Loud,” I admit.
He comes closer.“Want company?Or space?”
The question is gentle.
