Luca sucked in a deep breath. “Thorn is already digging into our top suspects to see who’s had any kind of digital or in-person connection to the Russians.”
“Good,” I nodded. “Let’s see what shakes out.” Whatever happened, I wouldn’t like it, but I would have to act on it. No matter how close the threat was.
Luca stood and smacked his hands together, sighing heavily before he turned to look at me. It was a long moment of silent communication that I understood all too well.
Shit’s about to get real, his gaze said.
I know, and I’m ready, I silently assured him.
“It’s just a matter of time,” he said out loud. “If they don’t find you, they will manufacture a reason to get you to come out of hiding.”
“I’m aware.”
Luca nodded. “I’m going to check in with the guys, and then I’m off.”
I didn’t ask where he was headed because it wasn’t relevant. When this shit was all over, I owed Luca a raise and a vacation. I locked the door and joined Ren on the sofa. “You okay?” I asked once it was just us again.
She nodded slowly and then shrugged. “I mean, yeah? It’s a lot, but I needed to hear it. Thank you,” she said softly. “For looping me in.”
“You needed to understand, and since you’re staying, it was necessary.” There were more reasons, but I wasn’t ready to acknowledge them, never mind voice them.
She nodded. “Sleep might not come easily tonight, but it’s better to know than to be in the dark.”
“I will keep you safe, Ren.”
She lifted her hand and placed it on my chest. She didn’t push or pull, just rested her hand over the calm, steady thrum of my heart. “I believe you.” Her blue gaze stared into me, serious, dark, and heavy.
The moment was charged, fiery, and electric, but neither of us acted on the heat, just the intimacy.
Not yet.
Instead, Ren leaned her head on my shoulder, curling her legs underneath her like our night of wine and conversation hadn’t been shattered to dust.
I don’t know how the fuck I managed, but for the first time all day, I allowed myself to breathe.
Chapter 19
Serenity
Iwoke up from a dead sleep. Wide awake in an instant.
No dream. No sound. Just the sudden, absolute certainty that something was wrong. I sat up in the dark, heart racing, as I tried to orient myself. For a split second, I didn’t know where I was. The room was unfamiliar and the air different, thicker and still. There was an uneasiness all around me, or maybe the dark made it feel that way.
Then I felt it: warmth pressed against my side and the familiar scent of Enzo as it slowly wrapped around me and invaded my senses. His hand reached out, automatically going to my thigh. “Everything okay?” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep but threaded with concern.
I nodded, even though he could see me in the dark, my heart still thudding, not yet caught up to the fact that the danger wasn’t real—or if it was, it wasn’t nearby. Yet. Whatever had pulled me from sleep was already gone, leaving only a lingering unease behind.
I listened. The house was silent, almost too silent. I didn’t hear footsteps or voices. No distant hum of machinery. Just thefaint rustle of trees outside, the sounds of nocturnal creatures, and Enzo’s steady breathing beside me.
You’re wound tight,I told myself.That’s all.I was wound tight, but the unease that stayed after Luca’s visit was also the culprit.
“Ren?” Enzo shifted on the bed and pulled me to face him.
“I’m fine,” I finally told him. “How did we end up in your bed?” I asked because it was better to focus on that than whatever I’d been feeling that had pulled me from my sleep.
Enzo was silent for a moment as if he was debating how much to tell me before he sighed, sliding one hand from my shoulder down to my hand. “We fell asleep on the sofa. When I carried you upstairs, I wanted you in my bed with me.” His thumb traced a slow arc along my hip. “Is that okay?”
It shouldn’t have been. I should have said no. I should have told him that bringing me here was a mistake. I should have insisted on boundaries and a lot of other things that could prevent heartache, but I never said any of that. “Yes, Enzo. It’s okay.” That was it, my big protective gesture.In for a penny,I thought as I slid back until our bodies were pressed together, back to front.
