Page 10

Breaker

I felt the tension hanging thick in the air between Juniper and me, like an invisible wall keeping us apart even as we moved through the same spaces of the Hades Abyss compound. It gnawed at my gut, an uneasy feeling I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Over the past few days, I’d noticed the subtle changes in her -- the way her gaze would skitter away from mine like a spooked horse, how she’d linger hesitantly in doorways as if debating whether to enter a room I occupied.

Replaying our interactions in my mind, I searched for any clue to explain the growing distance, any misstep on my part that could have caused this rift. But I kept coming up empty. Watching her now from across the living room, I saw Juniper curl in on herself on the worn leather sofa, making her already small frame seem even more fragile. A fierce protectiveness surged through me, tightening my chest.

I approached slowly, easing down beside her. She tensed but didn’t pull away. Progress.

“Hey, Juni,” I said softly, using the nickname I’d given her when she first arrived. “What’s going on in that head of yours? You know you can talk to me, right?”

She nodded, dark hair sliding forward to hide her face. Gently, I reached out to tuck the silky strands behind her ear, letting my fingers linger against her cool skin for just a moment. A shaky breath escaped her lips.

“I’m s-sorry, Breaker,” she whispered, voice cracking on my name. “I don’t… I didn’t m-mean to shut you out. It’s just…”

Her slender fingers twisted anxiously in her lap and I fought the urge to cover them with my own, to still their restless movement. I waited, giving her time to gather her thoughts, her courage.

When Juniper finally met my gaze, those striking gray eyes were bright with unshed tears. “I’m scared,” she confessed, the words coming out in a rush. “Of m-messing this up. What this is with you.”

“Oh, sweetheart. That’s not going to happen.”

As I held her gaze, willing her to feel the truth behind my words, a tear slipped free to trail down her cheek. Catching it with my thumb, I marveled at the softness of her skin, so at odds with the hard world that had left its marks on her, inside and out.

In that moment, with Juniper looking up at me full of vulnerability and trust, I knew I’d burn the whole damn world down to keep her safe. To make her feel cherished and wanted. And no matter how long it took, I’d convince her that she was here to stay. I didn’t know what had brought on this burst of insecurity. I’d thought we’d been making progress, now I wondered where it went wrong.

I sensed a shift in the air between us, a crackling tension that had my heart beating faster. Juniper’s eyes searched mine, a silent question in their depths that I wasn’t sure I had the answer to. Not yet. But I knew I wanted to find out.

Slowly, giving her time to pull away, I lifted my other hand to cradle her face, my fingers sliding into the silk of her hair. She let out a shaky breath, her eyelids fluttering closed for a moment before she met my gaze once more.

“Breaker…” My name was a whisper on her lips, a plea and a prayer all at once.

“It’s just us, Juni. Call me Teller. If anyone has that right, it’s you.”

“Teller,” she said softly, her cheeks flushing.

I leaned in, resting my forehead against hers, our breath mingling in the scant space between us. I wanted to kiss her, to taste the sweetness of her mouth and show her just how much she meant to me. But I knew it was too soon. She was too fragile, too unsure.

So I contented myself with holding her close, offering her the strength and comfort of my presence. And when she finally pulled back, a tentative smile curving her lips, I knew I’d made the right choice.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her hand coming up to cover mine where it still rested against her cheek.

I smiled back, my thumb brushing over her skin in a gentle caress. “Anytime, sweetheart. “

We stayed like that for a long moment, lost in each other’s eyes, the rest of the world falling away. And as I looked at Juniper, seeing the hope and the trust shining in her gaze, I knew that whatever this was between us, it was just the beginning.

The road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but I was ready to walk it with her, to face whatever challenges came our way. Because in the end, all that mattered was keeping her safe, making her happy.

Juniper’s eyes darted away from mine. “I…” she began, her voice so soft I had to strain to hear it. “I don’t know how to say this.”

I stayed silent, giving her the space she needed to gather her thoughts. My heart ached for her, for the vulnerability I saw etched into every line of her face.

She took a shaky breath, her eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment before she forced them open again. “You’ve been so kind to me, Breaker.”

“Teller,” I corrected.

“Teller. You’ve been so patient. And I don’t want to ruin that. I’ve never been in a relationship.”

“You could never ruin anything, sweetheart. Just talk to me. Tell me what’s going on in that pretty head of yours. If you have concerns, then we can talk about them. Or if you need more space, tell me. I’m letting you set the pace.”

A faint blush stained her cheeks at my words, and she ducked her head, hiding behind the curtain of her hair. “The way you make me feel is… terrifying. I’ve never experienced anything like this before.”

My breath caught in my throat, my heart stuttering in my chest. I’d suspected, hoped, that she might feel something for me, but to hear her say it out loud…

“Juni…” There was so much I wanted to say, and yet I couldn’t seem to find the words.

“I know it’s stupid,” she rushed on, the words tumbling out in a nervous jumble. “You’re so strong and brave and kind, and I’m just… me. Broken and scared and --”

“Stop.” My voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. “Don’t you ever talk about yourself like that. You’re incredible, Juniper. You’re sweet and caring and so damn strong. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their life. I’m lucky, and I damn well know it.”

She stared at me, her eyes wide and shimmering with unshed tears. “You really mean that?”

I nodded, my thumb brushing over the delicate skin of her cheekbone. “Every word.”

A shaky smile curved her lips, and she ducked her head again, hiding from the intensity of my gaze. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” I assured her. “And for the record, I feel the same. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”

She nodded, a single tear escaping to trail down her cheek. I wiped it away, wishing I could keep her from ever crying again. I hated seeing tears in her eyes.

We stayed like that for a long moment, lost in the warmth of each other’s presence. I held her against me, not wanting to let her go. I’d suspected, hoped even, that she might feel something for me, but hearing her say it out loud was a different thing entirely.

“I care about you, Juni. More than I’ve cared about anyone in a long time. And knowing you feel the same way means everything to me.”

A shaky smile curved her lips, and she leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment. “I was worried I might lose you before I ever really had you. Does that even make sense? I feel so confused. I’m excited, scared, and so many other things, almost all at the same time.”

“Never,” I promised, my voice fierce with conviction. “You could never lose me. In case you’ve forgotten, we’re married. I told you there won’t be a divorce. What we make of our relationship is up to us. It can stay as it’s been, or we can move toward having a real marriage. I’m personally hoping for that last option, but it’s entirely up to you.”

She nodded, her smile growing wider, more confident. “I want that too, Teller. A real marriage, when we both feel ready. I want it more than anything.”

Relief and joy surged through me, and I couldn’t help but pull her closer, wrapping my arms around her in a tight embrace. She melted against me, her head nestling into the crook of my neck, and I breathed in the sweet scent of her hair, marveling at how perfectly she fit in my arms. Over the years, I’d watched my brothers pair off, and I’d worried it would never happen for me. Now I had a wife, and I was looking forward to falling in love with her.

Slowly, I pulled back just enough to look into Juniper’s eyes, my hands gently cupping her face. Her skin was soft beneath my calloused fingers, and I marveled at the trust I saw shining in her gaze. It was a trust I knew I’d do anything to protect. And I knew it didn’t come easy for her.

“We’ll take this slow,” I murmured, my thumb brushing lightly across her cheekbone. “I want to prove I’m the man you deserve.”

Her lips curved into a tender smile, and she leaned into my touch. “You already are, Teller. You’re kind, brave, and you make me feel safe in a way I never have before. And I trust you. I’m not sure if you realize how huge that is.”

Her words filled me with a warmth I’d never known, and I found myself leaning closer, my forehead resting gently against hers. “You’re an amazing woman. You have no idea how happy I am that I found you that night, and that you’re part of my life now.”

The world around us seemed to fade away. The soft glow of the lamp cast a warm light across Juniper’s features, highlighting the delicate curve of her cheek and the gentle slope of her nose. It felt as though Juniper and I were the only two people in the world. The connection between us was palpable, a tangible thread that seemed to grow stronger with each passing second. Or maybe I just hoped it was.

I looked down at our joined hands. I could feel the steady beat of her pulse beneath my fingertips. It was a reminder of the life and vitality that flowed through her, the strength and resilience that had brought her into my world. But I knew if I’d been even an hour later walking down that alley, she’d have likely died. How could I not believe in fate?

She looked at me, and I saw the moment she’d come to some sort of decision about us. There was a slight change in her gaze. “I want to take things slow, to build something real and lasting with you. But I also know that I don’t want to spend another day without you in my life.”

I nodded, my heart swelling with a fierce protectiveness and an overwhelming sense of joy. “We’ll take it one day at a time,” I promised.

And I hoped like hell she’d tell me if I pushed too hard too fast. I didn’t want to spook her or make her uncomfortable.

I never thought I’d find someone like her. Someone who could see past my scars and ink, to the man beneath the cut. With her, I wanted to be my best self and make lots of happy memories together. She was my forever.