"I mean it, baby. You need to rest, you need to feel better. Then we'll talk about it."
I can see the argument forming on her lips, can see the stubborn set of her jaw that tells me she wants to push. But then she deflates, the exhaustion winning out over her curiosity.
"Okay," she whispers.
I lead her back to the bedroom, pulling back the covers so she can slide in. But when I start to step away, her hand catches mine.
"Stay with me?"
It's not really a question, and even if it was, there's only one answer I could give. I kick off my boots and climb in beside her, pulling her back against my chest. She fits perfectly there, like she was made to be in my arms.
"I've got you," I murmur against her hair. "I promise, I've got you."
Her breathing evens out within minutes, her body relaxing as sleep takes her under again. But I stay awake, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing.
Logan's family is tied to the Rebels. The Rebels are pushing poison into our town, into our schools, where kids like Logan can get their hands on it. And Allison, my Allison, is caught in the middle of it all because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I tighten my arm around her, feeling the steady rise and fall of her chest. She's been through enough shit in her life, I don't know all of it yet, but I know enough to understand that she's survived things that would break most people. And now this.
But she's not alone anymore. She's got me, she's got the club, and I'll be damned if I let anything else happen to her.
My phone buzzes again, and I carefully reach for it without disturbing her. It's a text from Devil.
DE: Meeting tomorrow. 10 AM. We're handling this.
I type back a quick response.
DI: I'll be there.
Then I set the phone down and close my eyes, letting myself drift. Allison shifts in her sleep, making a small sound, and I press a kiss to the top of her head.
Whatever comes next, whatever we have to do to keep her safe and shut down the Rebels, I'm ready. Because this woman in my arms? She's worth going to war for.
And that's exactly what I'm prepared to do.
Five
Allison
The next morning when I wake up, I know Dime's gone. I can tell by the way the air feels. But there's someone else here, I'm just not sure who. I get up out of the bed, and slowly walk over to where I have sweatpants in a bag. I'm sore as if I've had the worst workout in my life.
Wincing when I put my legs into them, jostling my shoulder, I breathe in deeply, trying to calm my rocketing emotions. I've always had some kind of anxiety, but this looks like it's going to cause it to ratchet up. Counting to ten I exhale and will my stomach to calm down.
"Are you awake Al?"
When I hear the voice of my best friend, Dani, I hurry out of the bedroom. "Oh my gosh, you're here!"
She hurries over and carefully wraps her arms around me. I hold her tightly, letting some of the tears that have flooded behind my eyes fall. "I've been so worried about you," she says as she lets go. "Dime and Devil both told me to give you your space."
"You're my best friend," I argue.
"I know, but they were right. You needed rest more than you needed me waiting around ready to kick Logan's teenage ass." She gives me a watery smile, and I can see that she's been crying too. "But I'm here now, and I brought breakfast."
That's when I notice the bags on the kitchen counter. The smell of bacon and maybe pancakes hits me, and my stomach growls loudly enough that we both laugh.
"Come on," she says, taking my hand and leading me to the couch. "Let's get you fed."
I settle into the cushions, pulling one of Dime's blankets over my lap. It smells like him, that combination of leather and nature that I've come to associate with safety. Dani bustles around the kitchen like she owns the place, pulling out plates and utensils, dividing up whatever she brought.
