Page 88 of They All Own Me

Her breath catches at that. "Yours?"

"Ours," we say almost in unison.

I rise and lift her from the window seat, laying her down softly in bed. "You need sleep. It's been a hell of a day."

Tatum nods, exhaustion clear in the shadows under her eyes. "I don't know if I can."

"Try," Connor says, his voice gentler than usual. "We'll take shifts checking on you."

"What, like guard duty?" A weak smile plays at her lips.

Isaac stands, stretching. "More like making sure you're not having nightmares about those assholes."

"Or sneaking down to confront Thomas," I add, knowing her too well by now.

"I wouldn't-" She stops at our collective raised eyebrows. "Okay, maybe I would."

"Get some rest," I say, moving toward the door. "I'll take first watch."

"We'll be right down the hall if you need anything," Connor adds, following me out.

Isaac lingers for a moment. "Want me to leave the hall light on?"

"I'm not five," she protests, but her voice wavers slightly.

"Light stays on," I decide, not missing how her shoulders relax at that.

We file out, leaving her door cracked just enough to hear if she calls out. The three of us exchange glances, communicating silently. None of us will sleep much tonight, too wired from the rescue, too worried about her.

"I'll wake you for second shift," I tell Connor quietly.

He nods, disappearing into his room while Isaac heads downstairs to check the security feeds one last time.

I settle into the chair outside her door, listening to her soft movements as she gets ready for bed. My hands still itch to go downstairs and make Thomas suffer more, but right now, keeping her safe matters more.

Chapter 46

Tatum

I open my door,my muscles still aching from yesterday's ordeal, and nearly collide with a solid wall of muscle. Isaac jolts upright in the hallway chair, his tattoo catching the morning light. His eyes snap open, instantly alert despite the dark circles underneath them.

"Jesus Christ, did you sleep out here?" I steady myself against the doorframe.

"Someone had to make sure you were okay." He stretches, his joints popping. "You shouldn't be up yet."

"I'm fine, just starving." My stomach growls on cue. "Haven't eaten since... well, you know."

"Sit down before you fall down." He stands, towering over me. "I'll make you breakfast."

"You cook?" I raise an eyebrow.

"I can manage," He pauses. "Maybe. Probably safer if Dom does it though."

"I can walk downstairs myself-"

Before I can finish protesting, he scoops me up like I weigh nothing. The movement sends a twinge through my bruised ribs, but his grip is gentle.

"Humor me," he says. "After yesterday, you're not walking anywhere alone for a while."

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