Today I let myself feel safe.
Just for a little while.
FOUR
ELI
The afternoon sun slants through the cabin windows and paints long stripes across the hardwood floor. Daisy sleeps on my bed, curled on her good side, one hand tucked under her cheek. The quilt rises and falls with her slow, even breathing. I checked her ribs and ankle an hour ago. The swelling has gone down a little and the stitches look clean. She needs the rest, so I let her sleep.
I sit at the kitchen table cleaning my med kit when boots hit the porch steps. Two sets. I know the rhythm. Silas and Gavin. I stand and open the door before they knock.
They step inside, brushing snow off their shoulders. Silas scans the room first, then looks toward the bedroom door. “She still out?”
“Yeah. She crashed hard after we got back from the lodge. I am not waking her unless I have to.”
Gavin drops into one of the chairs and stretches his long legs. “Good. She looked like she had not slept in days.”
I stay standing, arms crossed. “What’s going on?”
Silas leans against the counter. “We ran the name Dominic Garcia. Everything is too quiet. Her father has not made any moves we can see. No new shipments, no big meetings, no sudden travel. Dominic’s crew has gone dark on the usual channels too. That kind of quiet usually means they are already moving. They could be closing in on her location right now.”
My jaw tightens. “They’re not getting her.”
Silas studies me for a long second. “You sure you’re all right with this? Having her here? Taking point on her protection?”
I rub the back of my neck. The words sit heavy in my chest, but I force them out anyway. “I don’t know what it is about her. She showed up half-frozen and bleeding and something just… clicked. I’ve patched up all of you idiots and other women more times than I can count and never felt like this. I look at her and every instinct I have says keep her safe. Not just because it’s my job. Because she is... I can’t explain it better than that. But I’m not letting Dominic Garcia or anyone else touch her. Not while she’s under my roof.”
Gavin nods slowly, a small smile tugging at his mouth. “We get it. Same thing happened to me with Kayley. One look and the whole world shifted. You’re not losing your mind. You’re just… waking up.”
Silas claps a hand on my shoulder. “We’ve got your back. All of us. We’ll keep eyes on the roads and run more checks tonight. You focus on keeping her steady. She trusts you. That matters.”
I exhale. Some of the knot in my chest loosens. “Thanks.”
They leave a few minutes later. I check on Daisy again. She’s still sleeping, lips slightly parted, dark lashes resting against her cheeks. I pull the quilt higher over her shoulder and brush astrand of hair off her forehead. My fingers linger longer than they should.
I head back to the kitchen and start dinner. Simple. Chicken soup with vegetables and rice. Something warm and easy on her stomach. I chop carrots and celery with more force than necessary, trying to work out the restless energy that’s been buzzing under my skin since last night.
The soup simmers when I hear soft footsteps behind me. I turn. Daisy stands in the bedroom doorway, my T-shirt hanging loose on her frame, hair tousled from sleep. She looks small and soft and so damn pretty it makes my chest ache.
“You’re awake,” I say, voice gruffer than I intend.
She nods and limps closer. “Something smells really good.”
“Chicken soup. Sit before you fall over.”
I help her onto the stool at the counter and slide a bowl in front of her. Steam curls up between us. She takes a careful spoonful and hums.
“This is perfect. Thank you.”
I lean against the counter across from her and watch her eat. “How do the ribs feel?”
“Sore. But better than yesterday.” She glances up at me through her lashes. “You didn’t have to cook for me.”
“Yeah I did.” I cross my arms. “You need to eat if you are going to heal. And I need to make sure you’re not running off into another snowstorm on that ankle.”
She smiles, small but real. “I am not going anywhere today.”
“Good.” I reach over and tuck another loose strand of hair behind her ear. My fingers brush her cheek. “Because I’m not letting you.”
