Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Shay
Prime’s fingers twitched against my hip, like even asleep, he was making sure I hadn’t gone anywhere. My chest tightened, not with fear this time, but something warmer, deeper, unexpected.
I slipped out from under his arm slowly. He didn’t wake, just shifted, brow furrowing for a second like his body protested the loss of contact.
I padded quietly to the bathroom and shut the door halfway before turning on the small light.
I leaned over the sink and splashed cold water on my face.
The reflection staring back didn’t look like the woman I had been two weeks before. The woman looking back at me now was loved and safe.
She wasn’t always in flight mode, ready for the world to crumble around her.
Sure, things with this psycho were nowhere near being solved, but she knew that Prime and the club were doing everything they could to keep them all safe.
That was all anyone could ask for.
I wiped my face with a towel and stepped back into the bedroom.
Prime was awake now, propped on one elbow, and watched the doorway like he’d been switched on by instinct the moment I walked away. His hair was a mess, jaw shadowed, his eyes still warm with sleep but sharp the second they met mine.
“You okay?” he asked, voice low and rough.
I nodded, climbing back into bed. “Yeah. Just… thinking.”
He pulled the blanket aside for me, and I slid in, letting the warmth of him wrap around me again. The second I settled, he hooked an arm under me and pulled me into his chest.
“You were worried,” I whispered.
“You walked more than six feet away from me,” he murmured into my hair. “Yeah, I was worried.”
My laugh came out soft. “Well, I’m glad you miss me even when I just go to the bathroom.”
“I told you,” he said and brushed his thumb along my shoulder. “I like it better when you stay with me. I don’t have to worry as much.”
“I like it, too,” I confessed. “I love… you.” The word was out of my mouth, and I didn’t regret it. Why should I not admit it?
Prime’s hand stilled. He tilted my face up with two fingers until I met his eyes.
“Good,” he said simply. “I love you, too.”
The words hit me like warmth spreading under my ribs.
We lay there for a moment, quiet with everything hovering between us.
Finally, I whispered, “Prime… you love me.”
He raised a brow. “Have for a bit.”
“Same,” I admitted.
For the first time in days, I felt something like hope settle inside me.
“Whatever comes next,” he said, “you’re not facing it alone. You’ve got me and the club protecting you.” He pressed a kiss to my lips. “Forever.”
My eyes closed, a soft breath escaping.
“Okay,” I whispered. “Then I can handle this.”