"You’re swaying. Put me down. You need sleep."
I lower her but keep my arm around her waist. "Shower first."
"Go." She pushes me gently toward the bathroom. "I’ll make breakfast. Real breakfast, not whatever MRE ration you planned on."
I pause at the bathroom door. She clutches the keys, thumb tracing the leather fob. She looks small in my living room, but fills the space in a way nothing else ever has.
"Avery."
She looks up.
"Lock the door behind me."
She rolls her eyes, but smiles. "Yes, sir."
I watch her throw the heavy bolt. The thud of the lock sliding home echoes.
Safety.
I turn on the shower, the propane-fed heater kicking in with a low, muffled thump. Pipes groan before a steaming spray hits the tile. I strip off my filthy clothes, letting the sawdust fall where it may, and step under the scalding water to beat the tension out of my shoulders.
I close my eyes. No desert. No ambush.
I see a porch railing, straight and true. A silver key in a soft hand.
I wash the dirt away. I’m not clean—never will be—but I’m not alone anymore. And let anyone try—I'll burn down everything before I lose her.
When I step out, wrapped in a towel, bacon and eggs scent the air. Avery is at the stove, humming off-key. Wearing my socks.
She turns, spatula in hand. "Better?"
"Better."
She points to the table. "Sit. Eat. Then sleep."
I sit. Eat. When I’m done, I don't go to the couch. I walk to the bedroom. Hold out my hand.
"Come here."
She takes it. I pull her into the room, into the bed that still smells like sex and us. I lay down, pulling her with me, tucking her back against my chest. Wrap my arm around her.
"Sleep," I command. Eyes heavy.
"Bossy," she mumbles, snuggling deeper.
I rest my chin on her head. The storm can rage all it wants.
I have everything I need right here.
9
AVERY
Sunlight hammers against my eyelids, dragging me out of the deep, dreamless black.
I blink, groaning as I try to bury my face back into the pillow. But the surface beneath my cheek isn't soft. It’s firm, warm, and smells of pine resin and woodsmoke.
My eyes snap open.
