Chapter 33 Ocean
OCEAN
The room was quiet, except for the even rhythm of Skye breathing against my chest. I could feel the heat from her body, soft and steady, and yet every fiber of me was wound tight, restless.
Tonight should have been simple. Just her and me, just the bed, just the relief of finally being together after the chaos of her sister’s house.
But my chest felt heavy, weighed down by the memory of how crazy things had gotten.
I shifted slightly, careful not to disturb her, and let out a low exhale.
She stirred a little, nuzzling closer, but didn’t wake.
Her little sigh against my collarbone made me want to hold her tighter, to shield her from all the bullshit the world kept throwing her way. I ran a hand through her hair, memorizing the feel of it, the warmth, the softness, as if just touching her could fix everything.
Her eyelids fluttered, and I could see the slow blink of sleep catching her. She mumbled something incoherent, still in that fragile place where dreams and reality blurred.
I eased back against the headboard, letting my body cradle hers.
Her fingers brushed over my chest lazily, like she was still half in a dream, and it stabbed at me in the best and worst ways.
I could feel every scar, every fear she carried, but I also felt the trust she put in me, even when the world tried to push her away from it. I wanted to honor that. I had to.
“Skye,” I whispered, voice catching slightly, “I swear I got you. I’m not going to let anyone, or anything hurt you.”
Her breathing evened out again, deep and soft, and I let my lips trail along the crown of her head. I wanted to keep her here, in this moment, where the world couldn’t touch her. Where I could just be…Ocean, her protector, without all the noise, without all the chaos.
My phone buzzed against the nightstand, breaking the silence. I cursed under my breath, glancing at the screen.
It was Trace.
I almost didn’t want to answer it, didn’t want to leave her side, but my gut told me this was a call I shouldn’t ignore.
Careful not to wake her, I eased out of the bedroom and answered the call.
“Yeah,” I said, my voice low.
“Got something for you,” he said. “About the situation you asked me to check on.”
My stomach tightened. “Go on.”
Trace let out a slow breath. “That party Skye was at. It was Enzo’s party.”
I felt my fists clench, the familiar heat rising in my chest.
Hearing that niggas name made every protective instinct I had flare up like wildfire. I’d been holding my anger back ever since Skye asked me to leave him alone. But now? Knowing that he was there, and it was his shit. All bets were off.
“Why am I not fucking surprised?” I said, teeth grinding slightly.
“Yeah. I got you the guest list, some photos…enough to make a move when the time’s right. But don’t make a move until you’ve looked at everything. You don’t know his role in any of this yet.”
I exhaled slowly, trying to force the anger down. “Don’t worry. I’ll be cool. But I’m going to handle his ass when the time comes.”
“I know you will,” he said. “I’ll let you know if I come across anything else.”
“Cool.”
I hung up and leaned against the wall, jaw tight.
I closed my eyes for a second, picturing Skye curled up in bed…
soft, safe, oblivious to the rage and protection surging through me.
I hated that she had to carry any of this with her, hated that people like Enzo even existed. But I’d fix it. I’d make it right.
After a moment, I returned to the bedroom, quietly slipping back under the covers. I kissed Skye’s temple, letting my lips linger as my hands found their old place along her back.
“You’re safe,” I whispered. “Always.”
Her arms instinctively wrapped around me tighter, even in sleep, and I let the moment stretch. For all the anger and frustration waiting for me outside these walls, for all the plans I had to make and battles I had to pick…this was the part I’d never let anyone touch.
I thought about Enzo, thought about the information Trace had dug up.
I imagined the confrontation, the sheer force I’d bring to it when the time came.
I’d been holding back, letting Skye heal, letting her lead the pace.
But that pause was over. I’d strike at the first opportunity, and I’d make damn sure Enzo understood what he’d done.