Still trembling, Milly and I step back. The door swings open, and Jett steps inside. He looks so murderous that even the devil would be scared. But then his face softens when his eyes land on me.
I collapse into his arms. He pulls me close, murmuring, “Shhh... Little Bird, you’re safe.” His warmth seeps into my trembling muscles. He cups my face, scanning me for injuries. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I manage, though my voice cracks. Then I see it. Blood. Bright red against his shirt. Panicked, I tug at the fabric. “Where are you hurt?”
“It’s not my blood.” His answer is a little wicked... a little dark.
Relief crashes over me like a tidal wave, and I take my first full breath since this ordeal began.
Milly cries out, “Twitch!”
“I’m here,” Twitch reassures, stepping into the bathroom behind Jett.
“Close your eyes,” Jett orders me gently.
“What? Why?”
“I would prefer you not see them.”
Though blood isn’t unfamiliar to me or Milly, I trust him. I close my eyes and allow Jett to guide me out of the bathroom. His protective presence calms me. The metallic scent of blood invades my senses, and the carpet is tacky under my feet. I breathe through my mouth, shoving away any sympathy for the men who would’ve killed us. I begin to understand Jett’s cold rationality.
Fresh air greets my skin as we step outside. “You can open your eyes now,” Jett murmurs.
I do, blinking against the sunlight.
“We need to get out of here,” he says as we walk toward his bike.
Milly stands next to Twitch. I rush to her, pulling her into a fierce hug. My voice wavers. “I’m so sorry, Milly.”
“It’s okay,” she whispers, her hand squeezing mine. Jett tugs me back gently, handing me his helmet. I climb onto his bike and settle in behind him. But all I can think about is Sammy.
Still in shock, we go back to the clubhouse. When we arrive, everyone’s outside waiting for us, worry etching their faces. Reaper and Ava rush to Milly, while Elena makes her way to me.
“Where’s Sammy?” I blurt, scanning the crowd. I have to see her.
Elena wraps her arms around me as Bomber speaks with Jett. “She’s in her room, playing with Zara. We didn’t want her to feel overwhelmed with everyone’s emotions.”
I exhale. “Thank you.” Jett’s arms wind securely around my waist, fueling my strength. “I want to see Sammy,” I tell him softly.
He nods. “Come on.” We walk inside.
Just as we step forward toward the stairs, he pauses, gazing down at me with a tenderness that sends warmth through my chest. “Let me clean you up first.”
He leads me to the kitchen, his arm firmly around me, grounding me. He wets his hands under the tap and gently wipes my face clean. His touch is cautious, but it brims with an intimacy that makes me close my eyes.
“Forever won’t be long enough with you,” he murmurs, his hazel eyes filled with raw emotion.
He continues to save me time and time again. He’s been my lifeline through everything. I never dreamed I would meet or be in love with someone like him—my green-flag killer. Pushing onto my tiptoes, I kiss his lips.
He cups my face. “I mean it,” he says, his eyes intense. “I can’t bear to lose you—life wouldn’t be worth living without you.”
I meet his gaze, my heart aching with happiness. “I love you too.”
He presents me with a devastating smile that only I am privileged to see. I place my hand on his chest, over his heart. “If people could see your soul, they wouldn’t be scared of you.”
He covers my hand with his own. “My heart started beating only when I met you.”
Laughter bubbles through me. “I want to go through this beautiful, crazy life with you.”