Avery nodded. “Okay.”
The space between them closed in a heartbeat.
He reached for her, his touch steady and real as his hands slid to her waist when she stepped into him. Avery’s fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, gripping tight, pulling him closer. Her foreheadpressed to his chest, her body fitting against his like she’d never left.
It wasn’t a kiss. It wasn’t a confession. It was something heavier. Something earned. A heated, desperate, grounding embrace that said everything they weren’t ready to say out loud.
Rook closed his eyes, jaw brushing the top of her head, holding her like he’d been holding himself back for too long. “I’ve got you,” he murmured.
Avery’s voice was muffled against him. “I know.”
They stayed like that, two people who’d spent years apart, finally finding the same place to land.
Then Rook pulled back just enough to look at her. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes soft, her hands still gripping his shirt like she wasn’t ready to let go.
“We should go,” he said quietly. “Cameras are going up today.”
Avery nodded.
He reached for her hand.
She took it without hesitation.
And together, fingers laced, they walked out of the room, toward the bakery, toward danger, toward whatever the hell came next.
But this time, they walked together.
Chapter 22
Avery
The ride back to the bakery was quieter than the night before.
Rook had insisted on driving her himself, one hand gripping the handlebars, the other resting over her thigh like he needed the physical reminder she was still there. Two prospects followed behind them in a truck, keeping watch.
Avery held onto Rook tightly, her cheek pressed between his shoulder blades. She wasn’t scared this time.
She just didn’t want to let go.
When they pulled up behind Sweet Treats, the new security cameras were already installed. Ledgerand Grim were finishing the last one, wires neatly tucked away.
“System’s live,” Ledger said. “Motion alerts go straight to the club.”
Grim nodded toward Rook. “We’ll rotate watch until we know more.”
Avery exhaled, relieved. “Thank you. All of you.”
Rook squeezed her hand. “Let’s get you inside.”
They walked toward the back door.
And froze.
A man stood beside the dumpster, half in shadow, shoulders hunched like he’d been waiting long enough to get irritated about it. The alley was narrow, the air damp and cold, the smell of wet asphalt mixing with the faint sweetness of the bakery behind her.
Avery’s stomach dropped so fast she felt dizzy.
Ryan.
