It snaps through her like a gunshot.
Her entire body locks in my arms.
I feel it instantly—panic, fear.
“Hey,” I murmur, tightening my hold. “It’s okay. It’s Chace.”
She doesn’t answer.
“I came here with him,” I say quietly. “His uncle too. We’ve got men everywhere. No one is getting near you. No one is separating us.”
Her forehead presses into my chest.
A slow nod.
Barely there.
I press a kiss to her hair, then carefully slide out of bed.
I open the door just enough.
Chace stands there, tension in his face, but he doesn’t speak at first.
He just looks at me.
Then nods.
I open the door wider.
He steps inside.
“Sera,” he says softly.
She stiffens.
Then breaks slightly at the sound of his voice.
He crosses the room immediately and sits on the edge of the bed.
“I’m sorry,” he says quietly. “I should’ve protected you better.”
Her head lifts instantly.
“No,” she says firmly. “Don’t do that.”
Her voice steadies.
More than I expect.
“You saved Trey,” she says. “I don’t know what would’ve happened if you didn’t.”
Chace goes still.
Something shifts between them.
Respect. Relief. Shared weight.
He exhales slowly and pulls her into a hug.
