I forced my voice down.“You didn’tmakeme do anything.I opened the door.I chose you.”
“But --”
“No.Guilt belongs to the man who kicked your door down.Not you.”
Her mouth trembled.She nodded once -- a small concession when full belief remained beyond her reach.
The hum of the fridge filled our silence.My house seemed quieter than before, wrapped in an unnatural stillness.Beyond these walls, the compound appeared deserted, though I sensed the men patrolling the perimeter.Their vigilance pressed against my awareness, invisible guardians moving through darkness.
Jade pushed her plate away.“I feel… tired.”
“Bed,” I said, standing.“Now.”
She stood too, slower, careful with her ribs.“I can take the couch.”
“No,” I said.“You get the bed.I’ll take the couch.”
Her eyes narrowed, stubbornness peeking through fear.“I don’t want to displace you.”
“You’re not displacing me,” I said.“You’re giving me something to do besides rage.”
That earned a small, reluctant smile.I turned off the kitchen light and led her down the hall.At the bedroom doorway, I flipped on the lamp near the bed.The soft yellow light warmed the room.I pointed to the clothes waiting on the bed.“I figured you wouldn’t want to sleep in what you had on,” I said.“Shirt and sweats.They’ll be big.Drawstring helps.”
Her fingers brushed the fabric.She froze.“They smell… they smell of you.”Heat rushed to her cheeks.“Sounds weird.”
“Sounds honest,” I said, keeping my tone even.“No need to apologize for honest.”
Her gaze flicked up.I saw fragility move behind her eyes -- relief mixed with uncertainty.She wanted to trust me, I could tell, but someone had weaponized trust against her before.“When I said you could take the bed, I also meant you can close and lock the door, if that’s what makes you feel safe and comfortable here.”I stepped back.“I won’t come in unless you call.No surprises.No pressure.”
Her shoulders eased a fraction.“Thank you.”
I pointed to the nightstand.“You can set your phone there.Call me if you need anything.Loud ringtone.I’ll hear it.”
“I don’t have your number.”She held out her phone to me, and I quickly added it.She took it back and hesitated a moment.“Will you… stay awake?”
“For a while,” I said.“Long enough.”
She swallowed.“Okay.”
I backed out and shut the door.I heard the lockclicka second later.
Back in the living room, I sank onto the couch and stared at my hands.Exhaustion tugged at me.Adrenaline kept yanking me back.
I texted Atilla.
Me:She’s showered.Fed.In my bed.I’m on the couch.
The reply came quickly.
Atilla:You staying up?
Me:For a while.
Atilla:Gate reports no strange vehicles since she arrived.Extra eyes on the perimeter.
Me:If Roth comes here, he dies.
Atilla:If Roth comes here, he chooses death.Rest when you can.Tomorrow we dig.
