Page 76 of Rook

“God, your heart,” I whisper, pressing a kiss against his skin, tasting the salt and soap there. “It’s like it’s beating for both of us.”

“Because it is,” he says, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through me. His chest rises and falls with a deep breath, and I feel the expansion, the life in him that spills over to fill the spaces within me.

I lift my gaze, our eyes locking in the steamy half-light. The silent exchange is intimate, more revealing than any words could be. But still, there are things I need to say—things he deserves to hear.

“I love you, Gunnar. And I…I won’t lie to you again.” It’s a vow, a raw truth that peels back the layers of who we’ve been, exposing the core of who we are together.

His hand cradles the back of my head, fingers splayed wide. “I know, Aisling. I love you too. We’re messy, complicated, but that’s just us. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

The declaration settles over us, a blanket woven from threads of shared understanding and renewed trust. In this moment, surrounded by the dissipating steam and the echoes of our confessions, I let myself believe in the possibility of us—a future forged not in spite of our flaws but because of them.

“Let’s just stay here a while,” I murmur, content to remain in the shelter of his arms, where every beat of his heart promises a tomorrow where we stand united.

“Whatever you want,” he agrees, his lips pressing to my hair in an affirmation of our connection—the kind that doesn’t need grand gestures or epic declarations.

Just the quiet certainty that comes from two people who have seen the worst in each other and still choose to stay.

Epilogue

Vance

I flick open my phone with a practiced swipe, the screen lighting up against the dimming sky. The last rays of the sun are fighting a losing battle against the encroaching dark, and I step out onto the balcony of the Bellanova’s Presidential Suite, looking out at the neon glow of Oasis.

“Vance Solace,” the voice at the other end is all business, but I can hear the underlying tension. She’s been riding shotgun with me through every dirty deal and back alley negotiation, but this…this is different. “Got your eyes on the stars?”

“Something like that,” I mutter, leaning against the railing, my gaze sweeping over the landscape. Oasis sprawls beneath me, a tangle of shadows and secrets. And there, miles away, Pacific City glows like a beacon of chaos.

I can damn near feel its pulse from here.

“Talk to me about Gunnar and Nero,” I say, skipping the pleasantries.

This is not a social call.

“Those two are making waves,” she replies, the sound of papers rustling in the background. “They’ve got Aisling with them now. She’s rallying the omegas, and the Bluestockings are eating it up—offering her an army. It’s like she’s become their damn messiah overnight.”

“Stargazer’s got gravity, no denying that,” I acknowledge with a grimace. My fingers clench tight around the phone. “Any idea what their next move is?”

“Hard to say, but with Aisling on their side, they’ve got an edge. And that means trouble for you, Vance.” Her voice is like gravel, gritty and grinding. “You’re getting boxed in.”

“That’s when I’m most dangerous,” I snap, feeling the familiar flare of defiance. Out here, with the city’s heartbeat thrumming in the distance and the night air cool on my skin, I’m reminded that this is my game.

They might have their moves, but I’ve always got an ace up my sleeve.

“How are things in the city?” I ask when she doesn’t respond.

“Quiet, too quiet if you ask me,” she finally says after a moment that stretches just a bit too long. “And I don’t have to remind you that Inari Toure’s no substitute for the power plays back home. She’s small-time compared to what’s brewing.”

“Small-time?” I scoff. “Inari’s got her fingers in more pies than you know. Don’t underestimate her.”

“Maybe. But your real business is back in Pacific City,” she counters. “If Aisling’s who you want, Vance, you need to stake your claim before someone else does. She’s not one to sit back and let the world pass her by. If there’s power to be had, she’ll take it.”

“Is that advice or a warning?” I ask, my tone edged with annoyance.

“Call it what you will. Just remember, Aisling Faye won’t wait around for anyone. Not even you.”

“Nobody tells me what to do,” I growl into the phone, the alpha in me bristling at the suggestion of being under someone’s thumb. “Not even you.”

“Vance—“

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