Chapter 179

• Sienna's POV
• The safehouse was a rundown cabin that smelled like mildew and old pine, but it had a bed and four walls, so I’d take it. Ryan lay pale on the mattress, chest wrapped tight, every breath a fight. I changed his bandages slow, hands shaking, whispering dumb stuff like “You owe me a date when this is over.” He cracked a weak smile, fingers brushing my wrist. “Steamy one,” he rasped. I leaned down, kissed him soft, then deeper, tasting blood and him, needing to feel he was still here. His hand slid to my neck, holding on like I was oxygen. Tears slipped.. mine, his, didn’t matter. “Don’t leave me,” I murmured against his lips. He nodded, eyes fierce even through the pain. “Tryin’ real hard, babe.”
• Sofia hadn’t let go of my shirt since the lab. She curled against my side now, quiet, eyes too old for a kid. Trauma sat heavy on her, but she kept stroking Ryan’s hand, whispering, “You’re tough, you’ll be okay.” My girl. Breaking and mending all at once.