But standing here, pressed against Ronan’s chest, his heartbeat steady beneath my palms…
I think I might want to find out.
15
Ronan
Location: Field Med Station, Northern Alps
0410 Hours
The medic tent is too bright.
Too loud.
Too exposed.
The moment we cross the perimeter, hands reach for Lena — gloves, equipment, voices firing orders — and something primal in me detonates.
“Stop.”
My voice hits the air like a blade.
Everyone freezes.
Lena sways on her feet beside me, exhausted, half-leaning into my arm. Her skin is cold, her breathing shallow, but she is aware enough to stiffen when the medics try to pull her away.
I curl my arm around her waist, anchoring her to my side.
“No one touches her unless I say so.”
A young medic blinks up at me. “Lieutenant Pierce, with respect, she needs—”
“She needs me right here.” My tone leaves no room for argument.
River steps forward, lowering his voice. “Ronan, let them assess her. You can stay—”
“I’m not stepping back,” I cut in.
His eyes narrow, not in challenge — in understanding.
He lifts his chin toward the medics. “Work around him.”
The medics hesitate for only a second before obeying. They move slower, more cautiously, giving me a wide berth as they start setting up equipment.
Lena’s fingers clutch the front of my jacket. She’s trying to hide it — always trying to be strong — but I feel the tremor. I feel everything.
“Ronan…” she whispers.
“I’m right here.”
She exhales shakily, leaning into me a little more.
A medic approaches with a portable scanner. He glances at me first — good choice. “We need to check for internal injuries. I won’t touch her without warning.”
Lena’s body tenses. I drop my hand to her lower back, steadying her as the medic moves the scanner over her ribs.
Her breath catches.
