Page 37

CHAPTER 37

Raven

It’s quiet.

Not the uncomfortable kind of quiet, not the kind that’s filled with all the things you should say but don’t.

No, this is the good kind.

The kind where you can just exist next to someone and it’s enough.

I lean against the railing of Malakai’s balcony, the night air brushing my skin with a pleasant softness, the city stretching out below us in twinkling lights.

Malakai stands beside me, his shoulder brushing mine, cigarette between his fingers while his other hand curls loosely around a glass of whiskey. He hasn’t said much in the last few minutes.

But he doesn’t have to. We’ve been through hell . And somehow, we made it out.

I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, watching as he exhales, smoke curling into the sky. His jaw is sharp in the dim light, his tattoos standing out against his skin, his expression somewhat neutral. Not fully, because he likes being with me, and it shows.

I know him now. I know the difference between his brooding leave me the fuck alone face and his quiet I’m actually thinking about something real face.

This is the latter.

I nudge him with my elbow. “Penny for your thoughts?”

He huffs a small laugh, shaking his head. “You really think my thoughts are worth that much?”

I smirk. “No, but I’m feeling generous.”

He glances at me then, his smirk matching mine before fading slightly. He exhales, flicking his cigarette into the ashtray before gripping the railing. “Just… thinking about Nate. He's still mopey.”

I hum, staring out at the city. “Yeah. But hey, at least we partied hard that night and he's slightly less mopey now, knowing we're in his corner.”

"Yeah." He sighs. "We've been through a lot, haven't we?"

“That’s one way to put it.” I turn to face him, resting my chin on my arms. “Any regrets?”

His jaw ticks slightly, but when he meets my gaze, his eyes soften. “No.”

I tilt my head. “None?”

He shakes his head. “Wouldn’t be standing here with you if I did.”

My stomach flutters.

Because that’s the thing about Malakai—he doesn’t say shit just to say it. When he gives you words, he means them.

I reach out, tracing my fingers over the veins in his hand. “You know, if you told me back when we first met that this is where we’d end up, I would’ve laughed in your face.”

His lips twitch. “Same.”

I grin. “I hated you.”

He chuckles. “You were terrified of me.”

I glare. “I was not .”

He raises a brow. “You literally ran from me.”

“Because you chased me.”

His smirk deepens. “And caught you.”

I roll my eyes, but my face is warm. Because yeah, he did catch me.

In more ways than one.

We stop talking for a while, but it isn't uncomfortable. This is good. We understand each other now, and we don't need to be always talking. Silence can be cherished when you know you're where you were always meant to be.

After a moment, he sets his glass down and turns to face me fully. “You ever wonder what’s next?”

I blink at him. “Next?”

“Yeah.” His voice is quieter now, his eyes darker. “For us.”

The question settles between us, weighty but not heavy. I think about it. About the future. About us.

I used to be scared of the unknown. I used to think that if I didn’t have a plan, then I’d be lost forever.

But now? Now, I know I don’t need all the answers. Because no matter what happens next?—

We have each other.

I step closer, wrapping my arms around his waist, and rest my cheek against his chest. “We'll figure it out together.”

His arms come around me instantly, his grip firm and steady.

He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Damn right we will.”

And just like that?—

The past doesn’t matter. The scars, the battles, the war we fought to get here—none of it defines us anymore.

Because this?

This is where we belong .