The way Shadow stands too close to me.
The way I lean toward him without thinking.
But he just dismisses us. "Go on. Both of you get cleaned up."
Shadow follows me to my cabin in his truck.
We shower separately—there's no time for anything else, and the tension is too high.
I feed Charlie while Shadow checks his weapons.
Gun. Knife. All the tools of his trade as enforcer.
He puts on his cut, and I watch him transform.
From the man who told me about his mother to the dangerous enforcer who eliminates threats.
Both are him. Both are mine.
"What if something goes wrong?" I ask, my voice small. "What if they try to hurt you?"
Shadow crosses to me, cupping my face in his hands. "Nothing's going to happen. This is just a negotiation."
"You're bringing weapons to a negotiation."
"That's how MC negotiations work, darlin'. Show of force. But no one's shooting anyone tonight."
I don't look convinced, and Shadow must see it because he pulls me closer.
"I'll be back before you know it. Banshee will keep you safe. You stay here, locked in, with Charlie."
"I hate this," I whisper. "Waiting. Not knowing."
"I know. But I need you safe. That's all that matters to me."
I look up at him, memorizing his face.
The strong jaw. The dark eyes. The scar through his eyebrow I've never asked about.
"Be careful."
"Always."
He kisses me then. Deep and claiming and desperate. Like he's memorizing me too.
When he pulls back, his eyes are serious. Intense.
"I love you."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut.
I freeze, staring at him, sure I misheard.
"Shadow—"
"You don't have to say it back." His thumb brushes my cheek. "Just needed you to know. Before I go."
Before I can respond, there's a knock at the door.
