"Stay here," I tell her. "With me."
She blinks. "We just met."
"Maybe we're starting at the end," I say, surprising myself with the words. "After all, I already took a bullet for you. What's left?"
Rachel chuckles, and there's genuine amusement in the sound. "You're an idiot."
"Probably."
"But you're not wrong." She shifts closer, and I can feel the warmth of her body against mine. "Maybe staying really is the best decision."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." She traces a finger down my chest. "I mean, where else am I going to go? And you did promise to check on me this morning. Might as well keep making good on your promises."
"I always keep my promises."
"I'm starting to believe that." She's quiet for a moment, then adds softly, "Thank you, Ryan. For making me feel worthy. Even if it's just for right now."
"It's not just for right now," I tell her, and I mean every word. "You're worth it, Rachel. You're worth everything."
She doesn't respond, but I feel her body relax against mine. The tension that's been coiled in her since I first saw her in that back room finally eases.
King's warning about trauma bonding echoes in my head. Luna's concern about two damaged people clinging to each other in crisis. Maybe they're right. Maybe this is all just adrenaline and shared trauma and survival instincts masquerading as connection.
But as I look at Rachel, her dark hair spread across the pillow, her curves soft and inviting, her face finally peaceful, I don't care. Real or not, temporary or permanent, this feels right. She feels right.
And for a man who's spent years living in shadows and avoiding connections, that's enough.
"We should probably clean up," Rachel murmurs after a while. "Before someone comes looking for you."
"Probably." But neither of us moves.
"Ryan?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you kept your promise. About checking on me this morning."
"Me too."
And for the first time in as long as I can remember, the future doesn't feel like something to survive. It feels like something to look forward to.
Even if I have no fucking idea what I'm doing.
Even if this might be the biggest risk I've ever taken.
Rachel is worth it.
And maybe, just maybe, I'm starting to believe I'm worth it too.
Chapter 10 - Rachel
I feel whole, and it's been a very long time since I've felt that way.
This might all be a dream. A thing of the moment, born from trauma and desperation and two broken people finding each other in the wreckage. But it's worth pursuing. Ryan can't really be worse than everything I've already gone through.
And honestly? The bar is pretty fucking low at this point.
