I tilted my head, studying him. “Yeah,” I said slowly. “That’s probably the correct emotional response.”
Dori snorted softly, adjusting the strap of his holster. “Good. Glad one of us is doing this right.”
“Hey,” I protested, bumping my shoulder into his. “I’m doing great. I’m thriving.”
“Were you like this before Greyson?” he suddenly asked, reaching for an extra magazine.
“Like what?” I hummed.
“Unhinged.”
I rolled my eyes, mouth curving into a grin. “Oh yeah. I just hid it better back then, or at least tried to. Then…” My voice became softer. “He showed me it was possible for someone to love all of me, even the messed-up parts. He taught me that it was okay that my brain works a little differently from others. But he also helps me remember to take my medicine to manage the more negative things, like my mood swings and depression. So I mean, I think clinically speaking, I’m probably technically less unhinged now?”
He huffed out something that might’ve been a laugh, shaking his head as he handed me a gun. “Well, I’m glad you’re‘probably technically’okay.”
“Me too,” I agreed warmly before moving over to the knives and grabbing a couple. I’d use the gun if necessary, but it wasn’t what I’d prefer.
Behind us, I heard the faint click of metal.
“Done?” Ronan asked, eyes running over the both of us.
“Yeah,” Dori answered.
“Yep!”
Ro nodded, then said, “If something goes wrong, you do not hesitate. You move. You leave. You do not come back for me unless I explicitly tell you to.”
My stomach dipped.
“Understood?” he asked.
“Understood,” Dori said immediately.
I hesitated half a second too long.
“Lane.”
I exhaled, uncomfortable with the idea of potentially leaving Ro in a dangerous situation alone. He was stronger than me, more capable than me, but I still had to grit my teeth as I repeated, “Understood.”
Ro stepped forward, lifting his hand to cup the side of my face. “I’ll be fine. Don’t look so worried.”
“I know… I…” My gaze dropped. “You do this stuff all the time.”
His thumb brushed against my cheekbone, a small token of comfort that I hadn’t expected from him.
“Yeah,” he said quietly. “I do.”
I swallowed, forcing myself to look back up at him. His expression had softened just barely, but it was enough to ease the tightness in my chest.
“You’re not alone tonight,” he added. “I won’t put you in a position you can’t handle.”
I nodded once. “Okay.”
His hand lingered for half a second longer, then dropped.
Ro stepped back, composure snapping back into place like it had never slipped at all. “There shouldn’t be anyone with our target, but make sure you’re ready for any surprises.”
“What do we do if there’s someone else there? Kill them?” Dori questioned.
