Page 100 of Fallen Stars

It guts me to talk to him like a frightened child. It shreds my soul to not touch him.

But this isn’t about what Iwant; it’s about Levi and what heneedsright now.

Control. Security. Familiarity.

Love.

He scoots closer and lifts his hand. My heart rattles my rib cage as his fingers extend toward mine.

Boots pound the floor behind us and Levi thrusts back. He folds himself in half and wraps his arms around his bent legs. His entire frame shakes as his eyes pinch closed.

“Ollie?” Tymber’s voice echoes through the hallway as his shadow casts over me on the floor. “Shit,” he mutters.

I hold up my other hand and signal him to stop.

“Levi?” I hate that I have to start again, but I’ll do it every minute of every damn day if I need to. “It’s okay, Levi.” I glance over my shoulder, give Tymber a synthetic smile, then return my gaze to Levi. “Tymber is here.”

Levi eases his eyes open and meets my gaze. “Tymber?”

I nod. “Yes.”

Levi glances past me and squints. He cranes his head and inches closer once more. “Tymber?” he repeats.

Behind me, Tymber slowly lowers to the floor and makes himself as small and passive as possible. “Hey, Levi.” He inhales a deep, shaky breath. “So good to see you, man.”

The muscles in my arm burn as it remains lifted between me and Levi. I refuse to lower it. Doing so may make him think I no longer want him or to help him.

Hour-long minutes tick by as he inches across the floor and erases the distance between us. Unwavering, I hold his gaze. My heart thunders in my chest as anxiety flips my stomach upside down. Through every apprehensive second, I maintain cool, collected body language.

“You’re taking me home?” Levi asks, needing our assurance.

A rogue tear rolls down my cheek as a corner of my mouth quirks up in a half smile. “Yes, Levi.” I nod. “We’re taking you home.”

His eyes drop to my hand for a beat. He raises his arm, meets my gaze once more, then takes my hand. He curls his cold, thin fingers around my palm and gives it a light squeeze.

My pulse stutters as I inhale a shaky breath.

I found him.

I have him.

I’m bringing him home.

At an unhurried pace, Tymber leads us down the hallway toward the only known way in or out. He walks several paces in front of us, ready to take anyone out with his fists or the baton and Taser on his belt.

As we near the elevator, I caress Levi’s hand with slow, steady strokes of my thumb. We pause at the door and I turn to face him.

“We’re below ground,” I say, then pause, waiting for my statement to register. When a hint of recognition gleams in his eyes, I continue. “We need to take this elevator up to leave. Okay?”

His eyes dart to the door. A light tremor ripples through him and turns into a noticeable shudder within seconds.

“Tymber and I will be with you the entire time.” I stroke his knuckles with my thumb. “I promise.”

Lips and chin quivering, his gaze returns to mine. “Okay,” he whispers.

On a nod, Tymber takes a walkie-talkie out of his pocket and turns it on. Pressing the side button, he holds it close to his mouth and says, “Objective three complete. Coming up elevator now, over.”

“Communication received topside, over.”

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