He shifts, carefully, and pulls me closer, guiding my head down until it rests on his thigh. I tuck my legs into my seat and curl into him. His hand moves through my hair slowly, the motion soothing something raw and frayed inside me. For the first time in what feels like weeks, my thoughts begin to quiet.
The plane hums steadily through the dark sky. The danger is behind us.I hope. With his hand still running through my hair, Jagger whispers, almost to himself, “We’re going home.”
Home…
The last thing I feel before sleep pulls me under is the warm strokes of his hand, steady and real, keeping me anchored as the world finally—mercifully—goes quiet.
Pain has a way of rearranging your priorities. Right now, my side feels like someone fed a hot poker through me and yanked it back out for fun. But the truth is—I’ve had worse mornings.Like getting stabbed in the chest and breathing blood bubbles for thirty minutes.
I shift carefully in my seat as the jet hums. Blake is asleep with her head in my lap, lashes resting against her cheeks, and her breathing is slow and even. One hand is tangled loosely in her hair, my fingers moving more out of habit than intention. I’m not trying to wake her. God knows she’s earned her sleep.
Across the aisle, Maryam watches her daughter with a focus so intense it borders on reverence. Aliyah is bundled tight in her bassinet, tiny fists curled, and cheeks flushed. Zahra is farther back, still under observation. The best medic I know, Damon, is hovering over her like a guard dog.
I key into the sat phone, put it to my ear, and keep my voice low when she answers. “Abby.”
“Shouldn’t you be resting?”
“It was just a flesh wound,” I mutter. “Besides, when do I ever listen?”
She lets out a heavy sigh that sounds a lot more likefucking never.
“Listen, we need to talk logistics… Maryam and her daughter.”
“I’m already ahead of you,” she scoffs.Of course she is.“Temporary placement at Aegis headquarters is ready. I had some of the juniors help me convert one of the unused executive offices into a makeshift apartment. It’s on a secure floor with controlled access. It’ll give her time to acclimate to such a big change without feeling like she’s being hidden away again.”
“Good. After last night, I’m pretty sure she’s not going to want to go anywhere public for quite a while.”
“Already assumed that, too. Longer-term housing is in progress. I’m looking for something off-site, private, and quiet. Somewhere that doesn’t feel like a bunker.”
“She’ll need to find work,” I add. “Purpose. Training. Something that belongs to her.”
There’s a pause on the line. It’s not hesitation, just calculation.
“We can onboard her into Aegis,” Abby says finally. “Support division at first. Operations admin. Maybe training liaison—once she’s ready. Language support, certifications. We’ll build the runway as she walks it.”
I let out a slow breath. “Do it.”
“And childcare?” Abby asks gently.
“Yes.” I smile, thinking aboutmypotential need for childcare more than Maryam’s.
“There’s a daycare partnership already in place. On-site for the first few months if needed.”
“Thank you, Abbs,” I exhale, meaningthank youfor about a thousand different things that don’t fit into this call.
“I’ll send you the full plan before you land,” she replies. “Try not to get shot again.”
“Pretty sure at this point it would have to be friendly fire.”
“I know,” she teases. “And there are days I’m pretty sure Gunnar wouldn’t hesitate.”
I cut the call and lean back, letting my head rest against the seat. Blake shifts slightly but doesn’t wake, her brow smoothing as my hand keeps stroking her hair. She looks younger like this. Softer. Less like someone holding the world together through sheer force of will.
At some my lids grow heavy and shut, granting me a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. Much-needed sleep. It doesn’t last long; a slight whimper from Aliyah pulls me from my slumber.
Blake stirs as the plane finally begins its descent, lashes fluttering and her hand curling instinctively into my thigh. She blinks up at me, disoriented for half a second. “Did I miss anything?” she murmurs groggily.
“Just thewholeflight and the part where I built an entire life for someone between your snores,” I say. “No big deal.”
