Alex slipped into her panties and t-shirt, her movements quick and purposeful. "I need to check the security cameras." She disappeared into the office, calling back moments later, "No movement outside."
I unzipped my suitcase and pulled out sweatpants, a long-sleeved tee, and a light cardigan. The soft fabric felt comforting against my skin, still sensitive from their touches.
We moved around each other with the easy familiarity of people who had learned to share space. The quiet domesticity felt surreal against the knowledge that somewhere beyond our temporary sanctuary, Lorenzo Bellante and his Scorpions were hunting for us, determined to silence Alex and I permanently.
We ate beef stew from mismatched bowls, the rich scent filling our safe house with something that felt almost like normalcy. I sat cross-legged on the bed beside Alex, whose shoulders remained tight despite our earlier intimacy. Ellieperched on the single chair, her spoon scraping rhythmically against ceramic. Kara leaned against the wall beneath the interior window, one boot propped behind her, while Cam stood sentinel in the kitchen doorway, her bowl balanced on her palm like she might need to drop it at any second.
The only sounds were our breathing and the occasional clink of metal against porcelain until Kara checked her watch. "Four thirty-five," she announced, setting her empty bowl on the windowsill. "We need to be out by ten at the latest."
Alex stiffened beside me. "We should leave now. Every minute increases risk."
I felt the tension ripple through the room. The tactical disagreement hung in the air between them, thick as the steam from our stew.
Kara crossed her arms, her voice dropping into that register that brooked no argument. "We need rest more than speed right now. Lorenzo's hunting blind. Four hours sleep, destroy the hard drives, leave by ten. Alert and ready."
Alex's jaw tightened. I could feel her objection building like a physical force.
"We're no good to anyone if we wrap the van around a tree," Kara continued, her eyes never leaving Alex's. "Four hours. That's an order."
The silence stretched between them until Ellie stood, breaking the standoff. "I'll take first watch," she offered, her voice gentle but firm. "I didn't drive today. I'll check the news too, see what they're saying about the fire."
Kara gave a single nod. "Wake Alex at six-thirty for second shift."
Alex opened her mouth, but Kara cut her off with a look that would have withered lesser women. "You didn't drive either. You're on watch in two hours. Get some sleep."
I watched Alex swallow whatever retort she'd prepared. Her fingers brushed against mine on the bedspread, a small concession that sent warmth through my exhausted body. For all her tactical brilliance, even Alex knew when to yield to Kara's command.
I crawled into the queen bed first, my body sinking into the middle of the mattress. Alex slid in beside me, her movements precise and controlled even in exhaustion. Kara took the other side, her weight shifting the mattress so I rolled slightly toward her solid frame.
"Room for one more," Alex murmured, patting the sliver of space next to her.
Cam stood in the doorway, her silhouette backlit by the dim hallway light. The corner of her mouth lifted in that barely-there smile I'd come to recognize as genuine.
"I'll take the bunk," she said, her voice a low rumble. "I won’t get any sleep with you lovely ladies pressed up against me."
She turned away before any of us could protest, her footsteps fading down the hall toward the smaller bedroom.
Alex's arm slipped around my waist, her breasts pressing against my back. Her breath warmed my neck, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine despite my bone-deep fatigue. Kara faced me, close enough that I could count her eyelashes in the dim light. Her hand found mine beneath the covers, fingers interlacing with casual intimacy.
I lay there sandwiched between them, their body heat seeping into me from both sides. The weight of Alex's arm across my middle anchored me to the present moment. Kara's thumb traced lazy circles on the back of my hand, the calluses on her fingertips a reminder of her strength.
For the first time in weeks, the knot of fear in my chest began to unravel. The mattress cradled us like a nest, the blankets a cocoon against the dangers waiting outside. My eyelids grew heavy as Alex's breathing slowed against my back. Kara watched me with those steady eyes, her gaze softening as sleep pulled at me.
"Rest," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "We've got you."
My body surrendered to exhaustion, muscles relaxing one by one. The last thing I registered was the gentle pressure of Kara's lips against my forehead, the scent of her skin mingling with the lingering traces of our earlier passion.
We're going to be okay, I thought as consciousness slipped away. For once, I actually believed it.
36
Kara
The alarm's gentle buzzagainst my wrist pulled me from sleep. The digital readout on my watch flashed 8:30 AM. I silenced it quickly and looked down at Sabine, curled against Ellie's side, her red hair splayed across the pillow. Her face was relaxed in sleep, all the worry lines smoothed away. I brushed my fingertips along the curve of her cheek, feeling something fierce rise in my chest.
She was stronger than she knew. Stronger than any civilian I'd ever protected. And I'd make damn sure nobody hurt her. The thought of Lorenzo or any of Scorpions getting within ten feet of her made my jaw clench. They'd be dead before they touched her.
I slipped out of bed without disturbing them and padded to the kitchen. Cam was already up, leaning against the counter with her coffee mug cradled in both hands. She nodded at me, then tilted her head toward the coffee pot.
