Page 75 of Shades of Loyalty
"Daniel... You're home", she whispers. I nod, failing terribly to hide my pain. Fuck. I don't know what she's doing to me. I can keep my facade with everyone, but not with her.
We stay frozen for a heartbeat, the silence wrapping around us, before she quietly lifts the blanket—an unspoken invitation.
"Come here", she finally whispers into the dark. Immediately, I do as she says.
I'm not usually the type of guy to obey, but tonight, just tonight, I need this. I needher.
I lay down next to her, holding her body close to me as my face brushes against her chest.
Usually, I'd find having her tits near my face sexually arousing. Tonight, it's for comfort, as stupid as it sounds.
Her hands softly run through my still damp hair, making me relax instantly. I've locked the door before I went to take a shower. I locked the windows. Fuck, I dideverythingto secure this room.
I’m so fucking done with losing control.
I’m fucking done with not being able tohide.
"Baby...", I mumble. "Yes?", she whispers back immediately. "I almost got shot tonight. I almost died."
The second I speak out the words, it shocks me just as much as it does her. Realization never hit me harder than today. She doesn't respond immediately.
"You- what? Daniel..." Her voice is shaky as her hands softly turn my head, so I can look at her again. My tired eyes stare directly into hers. God, my eyes are burning. I can tell they're getting wet.
Fuck, am I starting to cry?
"I'm tired, that's all", I mumble.
She hesitates before speaking. "You can cry if you want to... I promise..." I know I can. I know I can trust her. But fuck. This shit is embarrassing.
"Sweetheart..." I murmur, my voice rough, broken. Her eyes never leave mine as a tear slips down my face—a rare crack in my cold, unshakable mask.
"Am I egoistic for feeling glad you’re here?" My voice drops lower, heavy with guilt. "You’ve been through hell because of me… but I can’t stop myself from being grateful. Is it selfish to say I’m glad you endured that pain—because it brought you here, with me?"
She shakes her head. "No, you’re not, I... I like being here. I want to be here for you." I smile at her as another tear escapes my eyes. "I'm so tired", I sigh.
"Do you want to sleep? It’s late, and… I think you need it", she asks me. I nod.
"Please, let's just sleep. I'm so fucking exhausted."
I don't even realize that we fall asleep in exactly this position, cuddling, me listening to her heartbeat… Both of us shut down completely from the rest of the world.
Like it's just us.
Like I didn't almost die an hour ago.
Moments like these make me appreciate life more.Shemakes me appreciate life more.
Chapter Thirty-one
Daniel
The second I open my eyes, warmth greets me—soft, steady, unfamiliar yet… comforting. It takes me a moment before I register the source.
Jennifer.
And just like that, the chaos from last night crashes back into my chest—gunfire, shadows, the weight of a near-death brush. I sigh and turn, wrapping my arm against her warm body, just wanting to forget about all that.
All I need is her, and I got her right by my side right now.
