Chapter 26 – The First Time He Makes Her Laugh
- His breathing was deep and steady, body relaxed in a way she had never seen before. No armor. No careful distance. Just a man—unmasked.
- Alina let her eyes close again, only for a minute. Just long enough to memorize the stillness. The quiet peace of it. The terrifying safety.
- When she did slip out of bed, his arm loosened but didn’t reach for her.