Page 15 of My Prince

I closed my eyes, the warmth of the water and the quiet of the room allowing my mind to wander. The day’s events played out in my head like a movie. The sound of gunshots, the shattering glass, the chaos and fear. And then there was Fade, dragging me to the ground, protecting me with his body. The pain in my side had been sharp and immediate, but it had dulled now, reduced to a throbbing reminder of how close we had come to disaster.

I shifted slightly, feeling the waterproof tape holding fast against my skin. It was a small victory, but I’d take it. The water was starting to cool, but I didn’t want to get out just yet. This bath was the only thing standing between me and a complete breakdown, and I needed it more than I could say.

Everything that had happened to the Iron Fiends in the past month had been interconnected. And now, because of my association with Fade, I was caught in that web too.

I couldn’t help but wonder how things had gotten so complicated. What had started as a simple assignment had spiraled into something much bigger, much more dangerous. But I was in it now, and there was no turning back.

I trailed my fingertips over the surface of the water and sighed, letting the warm bubbles soothe my aching muscles. The bath was the perfect end to an extraordinarily chaotic day. Everything had finally settled into a calm that felt like a fragile haven, and I was relishing every second of it.

A knock on the front door jolted me from my peaceful reverie. I startled, sloshing water over the edge of the tub. My heart raced as I tried to think who might be knocking at this hour. Garett or Mark were the logical choices, but my mind spiraled into darker possibilities. What if it was the guy who had shot up the donut place today and came to finish the job?

“Uh, hello?” I called out, trying to sound more composed than I felt.

“Adalee.”

I tipped my head to the side, recognizing the voice immediately. “Fade?” I called back, hoping he didn’t hear the slight quiver in my voice.

“Yeah, cupcake, it’s me. Can you open the door?”

The small size of the tiny house meant that my voice carried well from the bathroom. “Uh, I’m in the bathtub.”

“You got the door locked?”

“Of the bathroom?” I questioned, though I already knew that was not what he meant.

“No,” he chuckled. “The front door.”

“Uh...” I realized with a pang of embarrassment that, in my haste to get Garett and Mark out of the house, I hadn’t thought to lock it. “No.”

I heard the front door creak open, and I leaned over the side of the tub to peek out. Fade was standing there, looking impossibly handsome. It was almost unfair how he managed to look so composed and striking after the hellish day we’d had. I felt like a drowned rat, while he could have walked off the cover of some sexy motorcycle magazine.

His eyes met mine, and there was a moment of unspoken communication. “There a reason why you didn’t lock the door?” he asked, his voice a mix of concern and teasing.

I felt his gaze as if he could see much more than just my head. “I forgot?”

Fade shook his head, a small smile playing at his lips, and closed the door behind him.

“Uh, you’re staying?” I asked, realizing the water was starting to get cold but not quite ready to abandon my sanctuary.

“Wanted to talk,” he said, and I heard him moving around, settling into a spot somewhere nearby.

“I’m in the tub,” I reminded him.

He moved more out of sight. “I can wait until you’re done.”

“Where are you?” I asked, curious.

The sound of a can opening reached me. “Drinking a beer,” he called out casually.

I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the chill starting to creep into the water. “You came over because you were thirsty?”

“Not just thirsty,” he said, his tone light but sincere. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. After today, I figured you might need some company.”

I couldn’t help but smile at that. “Well, you found me. In a bath. I’m not exactly in top form.”

“I can see that,” he said, his voice softening. “You okay? I mean, really okay?”

I sighed, sinking deeper into the water. “Yeah. I’m shaken, but I’ll be fine. It’s just... a lot to process.”

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