Because the fury I’d felt seeing her blood wasn’t about losing my information source. It was visceral. Personal. The thought of her hurting had made something in me go sharp and violent in ways I didn’t recognize.
Because her name was the only word that felt real in my mouth, even though no sound came. The only thing I knew for certain in the blank space where my identity should live.
Xavier.
She’d said it like it mattered. Like I mattered. And some part of me had believed her.
Outside, wind howled. Snow tapped against windows. Police sirens wailed distant.
Inside, a woman who’d saved my life lay unconscious with my blood on her palms and hers in her hair. My body wrapped around hers under blankets that smelled like her, something clean, something soft underneath the antiseptic and copper.
I should be planning an escape. Should be assessing threats, noting exits, preparing for when whoever was hunting me came through that door.
But my palm stayed on her side. Refusing to move. Refusing to let go.
Mine.
Fierce. Irrational. Absolute.
She was my problem. My solution. My... what?
Couldn’t name it. Didn’t want to.
Just knew that if anyone tried to hurt her, I’d kill them. Couldn’t speak, could barely move, didn’t know my own name, but I’d find a way. Would tear apart anyone who touched her.
Would protect what was mine.
When did she become yours?
No answer.
Just her warmth against me. Her steady inhales under my palm. Her blood dried on my fingers from checking her wound.
My vision grayed at the edges. Fever climbing, blood loss catching up, exhaustion winning. Consciousness slipping despite will demanding I stay alert.
Needed to watch her. Monitor for signs of concussion. Make sure she kept inhaling.
Couldn’t keep my lids open.
Stay awake. You have to stay awake.
My grip tightened on her side.
Her body shifted, settling deeper into sleep. Into my hold.
Darkness pulled me under before I could finish the thought.
But my palm stayed on her side.
Feeling her breathe.
Refusing to let go.
Chapter 6
Clare
The growl came first, low, rumbling through my back, vibrating against my spine before my brain caught up to waking.
