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His rhythm falters. Just slightly. Just long enough for me to feel the tremor underneath all that control. Then he growls into my ear.

“Say it again.”

“I need you.”

He fucks me harder, every thrust brutal and possessive. His hand slides down and finds my clit, rubbing it with rough precision.

“Come for me,” he growls. “Come on Daddy’s cock.”

I shatter.

My orgasm rips through me like lightning, my body locking up around him as I sob into the pillow. Boone thrusts once more and then comes with a guttural curse, his cock moving deep inside me as he holds me there.

He doesn’t pull out.

He just lowers us both to the mattress and wraps himself around me until his body is on top of mine. His breath is still ragged in my ear.

No one moves.

One by one my men start to fall asleep. But, not me. I can’t even manage to close my eyes.

Jonah snores lightly, breath steady and warm against the back of my neck. Finn murmurs something I can’t make out—words half-formed, caught in a dream. Boone doesn’t move at all. His arm is heavy across my waist, body curved behind mine like a shield.

I should feel safe.

But I lie there wide-eyed, staring into the dark.

They almost took me today.

And worse—Mae could’ve been caught up in it.

That thought burrows deep. It makes my stomach twist and my throat burn. I keep seeing her face when I told her to run. I keep hearing her footsteps pounding down the path. My mind won’t stop replaying every second between the moment I heard that voice and the moment the gunshot broke the air.

If Boone hadn’t come out when he did…

I squeeze my eyes shut but it doesn’t help.

This—this closeness, this love—it’s everything I ever wanted. But it’s dangerous. It makes me a liability. I’m not just risking my own life anymore. I’m risking theirs. Theirs and Mae’s. And that’s not something I can live with.

I move a little bit.

Boone’s arm slides off my waist. He adjusts but doesn’t wake.

So, I keep going. I move silently, inch by inch, slipping from the tangle of limbs and blankets without making a sound. The floor is cold beneath my feet. My clothes are folded on the chair in the corner. I dress quickly, fingers trembling as I pull on my jeans, my hoodie.

I grab my small bag from the closet and pack only what I need. My phone stays on the dresser.

Then I open the drawer by the bed and find paper and a pen. My hands shake as I sit down at the desk.

I don’t know what to say.

There aren’t enough words.

So I keep it simple.

You’ve given me everything.

So, I’m giving you everything in return.