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Hawk's face fell. I thought back to the conversation we’d had on the porch. How Hawk had wanted to do something to say goodbye to our brother.

I wondered if he had said goodbye while moving Sean’s lifeless body.

“Rome and I handled it.” His voice was only slightly unsteady. “I’ll tell you the details later. But it’s handled. Trust me.”

“I do,” I said. “And I’m grateful. Thank you.”

Hawk cleared his throat hard. “I need a coffee,” he said. “I’ll call the guys and give them an update. Everyone’s worried about you.”

“Tell them I’m grateful to all of them, too,” I said. “But they better not visit until tomorrow.”

Hawk laughed. “Yeah, that’s fair. You get a day of recovery before you’re smothered with a bunch of excitable dragons.” He pointed his finger at me. “Justone, though!”

Hawk was already calling people as he left the hospital room. A calm quiet descended on the room, broken only by the monitor beeping quietly.

“Hey,” I said. “Come up here.”

“Huh?” Harley sat up. “You’re hurt.”

“It’ll help me heal. I promise.” I scooted over on the bed, then patted the empty space I’d made.

Harley bit her lower lip, hiding a smile. “If the nurse comes in and chews you out, you’re taking the blame.”

“With pleasure.”

Harley climbed up into the cot and nestled against my side. She felt so soft and warm against me, and I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. I pushed my nose into the crown of her head and inhaled her familiar scent. My dragon was immediately soothed and purred in pleasure.

She was safe. We were all safe.

“How have the past two days been?” I asked, tracing circles on her shoulder. “What did I miss?”

“Everyone’s been staying at our house.”

Ourhouse. It was. And I loved hearing her say that.

“It’s been an endless parade of food, really,” Harley continued. “The enforcers were tracking down the guys, and others were looking for Blakely, but other than that we’ve just been cooking and eating. I’ve been here most of the time, so Mia’s been bringing meals. Dylan’s been spending a lot of time with Bella. I think playing with her calms his nerves.”

“Probably soothes his alpha, too. Protecting the youngest members.”

She smiled fondly. “Is that what it is?”

“That’s how I was when I was his age.”

“Mm. He’s so much like you.” She sighed heavily. She leaned against my chest and closed her eyes. “I was so afraid we were going to lose you, but I know you did the right thing.”

A weight I hadn’t realized was there suddenly lifted off my heart. I knew I had done what I had to do, but I had still been carrying a swirl of guilt. Like there should’ve been an easier way. A different way. A way that hadn’t threatened my life.

But Harley thought I did the right thing, and that was all that mattered.

“I’d do anything to keep you safe,” I murmured. “Anything. Forever.”

“I know that.” She nuzzled her nose against my chest like an affectionate cat. Her closeness, and the gentle beating of her heart, was making the exhaustion roll back over me.

“Sleep,” she whispered. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

It was as simple as that. I drifted into sleep with Harley at my side, and the danger that had been haunting us was finally gone.

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