Stone smiled faintly. “Good. Because he’d burn the world down if he couldn’t.”
Chapter 18
Rook
Rook didn’t let go of Avery’s hand the entire walk down the hallway.
He didn’t trust himself to. He didn’t trust the world not to take her from him if he loosened his grip for even a second.
The clubhouse was quieter back here, the music a distant thrum, the voices muffled. Avery stayed close, her shoulder brushing his arm with every step. Every touch sent a warm, dangerous pulse through him.
He stopped at his door.
“You’re staying with me,” he said.
She didn’t argue this time. Just nodded, eyes wide and tired and still a little shaken.
He opened the door and stepped aside. “Go on.”
She walked in slowly, taking in the room: the dark walls, the neatly made bed, the shelves lined with books and gear, the faint scent of leather and cedar.
His world. His space. His sanctuary.
And now she was in it.
Rook shut the door behind them, locking it out of instinct. Avery jumped slightly at the sound.
“Hey,” he murmured, stepping closer. “You’re safe.”
She nodded, but her hands were trembling again.
He hated it; someone had scared her, and he hadn’t been there to stop it.
“Sit,” he said gently.
She sat on the edge of his bed. He crouched in front of her, resting his hands on her knees. Heat stole her breath for a beat, but she didn’t pull away.
“You okay?” he asked.
She swallowed. “I… I think so.”
“You don’t have to be,” he said. “Not with me.”
Her eyes softened. “Noah…”
He shouldn’t have looked at her then. Shouldn’t have let himself see the way she was looking at him, as if he were something she could trust.
But he did.
And it wrecked him.
He stood slowly, offering her his hand. “Come here.”
She took it.
He pulled her up gently, guiding her closer until she was standing right in front of him, her chest brushing his. She tilted her head back to look at him, eyes wide and searching.
He lifted a hand to her cheek, brushing his thumb along her skin. She leaned into the touch like she’d been waiting years for it.
