Chapter 108
ROWAN
“Rowan.” Reggie’s voice is rough.
I blink, trying to shake off the fog of sleep. My neck aches from the position I’ve been sitting in, half-slumped beside his bed.
“Can you take Bella home, please? Finn is gonna observe me tonight, then I’ll be out in the morning.”
I follow his gaze to the other side of him—Bella’s curled up on the chair, her cheek pressed to her arm, the blanket sliding off her shoulder. She looks uncomfortable as hell, but she hasn’t let go of his hand once.
Her fingers are still laced through his. Even in sleep, she’s terrified to lose him.
I don’t want to leave his side either, but he’s right. Bella needs a real bed, a shower, something other than adrenaline and hospital air.
“I’ve got her, Reg. You get some sleep and actually rest, please.”
He gives me a quiet chuckle, the sound strained but real.
“What makes you think I’ll listen to you?”
“I’ll jab a finger right in that bullet hole if you don’t.”
He smirks, shaking his head.
“Don’t you fuckin’ dare. Go on, look after our girl.”
His eyes flick down to the blood on my shirt, the dried smear near my shoulder.
“Finn looked at your graze?”
“Nah. It’s literally a surface wound. Basically a scratch. I’ll clean it up when I’m home.”
He grunts, that half-protective, half-boss tone that still sneaks out sometimes. “You better.”
I salute him with a crooked grin. “Yes, boss.”
I move over to Bella, careful not to wake her, but the second my arms slide under her, she stirs.
“R-Rowan,” she whispers, voice rough with sleep.
“We’re going home, baby,” I murmur, tucking her against my chest. “Reggie will be back with us in the morning, okay?”
She shakes her head, already fighting me in her half-dreaming state.
“Please don’t fight me on this, Bels. Reggie asked us to do this for him, okay?”
She sighs, the sound soft and broken, and looks up at me through those green eyes that undo me every damn time.
“Okay, rockstar.”
“Good girl.” I kiss the top of her head, smiling when she mumbles back, “I can walk.”
“I didn’t think it would wake you up,” I chuckle, setting her on her feet.
She smirks. “Don’t ever underestimate me.”
Of course not. Never again.
She steps to Reggie’s bedside, and the look he gives her—Christ. Like she’s the only thing keeping his heart beating.
“Get some rest, Irish. And if you’re not home by nine a.m., I will be demanding Rowan bring me back here. Understand me?”
He fights a grin. “Yes, Princess. Love of my life. I understand.”
“I love you, Reggie. More than you’ll ever know.” She leans down, pressing her lips softly to his.
“Behave, you two,” he mutters, smirking.
“We’ll try,” I tease.
She slides her hand into mine as we head for the door, that tiny smile of hers back in place—the one that says we’ve survived another war.
“What about the games, Bella? Who won?” Reggie calls out.
She turns, her hair falling over one shoulder.
“You just leave that with me. I’m the winner, because I get to keep both of you. Forever.”
Reggie smiles. So do I. For the first time all night, the air isn’t suffocating us.
“What are you planning?” I ask quietly.
“I’m still in the middle of scheming,” she says with a wicked little grin. “I love you both, equal amounts, so I’m figuring out my master plan to present to my brother.”
“So neither of us marry you?” I ask, pretending to frown.
She shrugs, mischief lighting her eyes. “I’ve not had one formal proposal yet. Maybe I marry neither.”
I glance back at Reggie, whose expression hardens instantly. Yeah. Not happening.
“Or,” I say slowly, “you marry us both?”
She giggles. “Illegal, Rowan. That’s kinda the whole predicament we’re in here.”
“Most of what we do every day is illegal, precious.” I grin, brushing a thumb over her hand.
Reggie laughs from the bed, voice faint but steady. “Let’s just pause this at the moment, until I’m outta here.”
“Deal,” she whispers, squeezing my hand.
And as we walk out into the quiet night, her fingers still tangled with mine, I realize that for once, despite the madness, the blood, the bullets, everything feels exactly where it’s meant to be.