“I don’t want it to be.”I surprised myself with the steadiness of my answer.
He cursed softly, then pressed a quick kiss to my forehead -- possessive, tender, enough to melt my knees.He stepped back, giving me space.
“We’re not done,” he whispered.“Not even close.”
I dabbed my cheeks with his hoodie sleeve.“Okay.”
He led me back to the hall.General waited, arms crossed, eyes sharp enough to register my damp lashes.
“You all right?”he asked.
“Getting there.”My voice still trembled, but I held it.
General nodded.“This is heavy.We’ll keep it short.”
Back in the room, Atilla watched me with understanding.Spade glanced at Kane, then me, then away.
Spade tapped the folder.“Bottom line: we need the flash drive.”
“Do I have to go?Or can you send someone?”My heart pounded.“Top drawer of my nightstand.Under receipts.”
Spade nodded.“We’ll get it.Not today -- too hot.We’ll send someone.You won’t go back.”
Relief hit me so hard my knees nearly buckled.
General leaned forward.“No wandering near the fence alone.No staring at the road like bait.You’re mostly safe in here, but let’s not take any unnecessary risks.”
“I won’t.”
Atilla’s voice stayed calm.“We’ll keep you informed.We won’t move you around like a pawn without telling you our game.You deserve respect.”
My throat tightened.“Thank you.”
Atilla waved a hand.“Go breathe.Eat.Laugh when you can.Let Kane hold weight when it gets heavy.”
He glanced at Kane.“Keep her in one piece.”
Kane’s answer was instant.“Yes, sir.”
The rest of the day blurred into something almost normal -- knife in hand, chopping veggies, stirring sauces, doing small tasks so my brain didn’t chew itself raw.Casey’s daughter toddled up, sticky-handed and pigtails bouncing.She grabbed my leg.
“New friend?”she chirped.
My heart squeezed.“Maybe.”
Marci made me sit down twice when I zoned out.I’d given them my sizes, except my clothes didn’t fit very well.Solena measured me in the bathroom -- jokes to distract me from standing in my underwear.
“Relax,” she said, tape around my waist.“We’re not judging.We just need clothes that fit better than Kane’s shirt, or the things you apparently arrived in.”
Heat climbed my neck.“His shirts are fine.”
Casey cackled.“Look at her defending him already!”
“Shut up,” I muttered, but the sharpness felt good.Alive.
Kane drifted in and out -- checking the gate, disappearing into Church, returning with a tighter expression each time.Every glance hovered on the verge of a kiss that neither of us quite dared.
Late afternoon settled in.Kids napped.Brothers tinkered in the shop.Laughter and the smell of dinner floated through the clubhouse.
