Page 54 of Mystic's Sunrise

The thought sent a sharp ache through my chest, one I wasn’t ready to face.

As if he could feel my stare, Mystic stirred, his head shifting slightly on the pillow. His breath deepened, then slowed, and after a moment, his eyes opened.

That gaze locked onto mine, groggy at first, then focusing. He didn’t move, didn’t pull away.

A thousand words sat between us, heavy and unsaid.

Maybe it was time to say them out loud.

I opened my mouth, but before I could speak, a sharp knock rattled the door.

“Mystic, you up?” Chain’s voice came through the wood, loud and impatient.

The moment shattered.

Mystic blinked once, then exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. “Yeah,” he called back, voice still thick with sleep. “Gimme a minute.”

Footsteps retreated down the hall.

I should have moved. I should have sat up, created space, but I didn’t. Neither did he. We just... looked at each other.

Then, finally, Mystic let out a slow breath and pushed himself up, running a hand through his hair.

“Sleep okay?” he asked, his expression guarded.

I nodded. “Yes.” A pause. Then, softer. “Better than I have in a long time.”

Something flickered in his expression—something I couldn’t quite read. But before I could ask, he was already standing, grabbing his boots.

“Gotta see what Chain wants,” he muttered, not looking at me.

I nodded, watching as he moved toward the door.

He hesitated just before opening it, his shoulders tensing for half a second. Then, without turning, he said, “Be back soon.”

And then he was gone.

I let out a slow breath, sinking back against the pillows, my heart still racing from the words I had been about to say.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

CHAIN WAS WAITINGfor me outside, leaning againsthis bike, a cigarette burning between his fingers. The early morning air was thick, still holding onto the last traces of night, the sky painted in dull shades of gray.

I shut the door behind me, rolling my shoulders to shake off the feeling still clinging from waking up next to her. It had been a fucking long time since I shared a bed with a woman, and it felt so right with Zeynep. The feeling of being one with another human, no need to touch, just being near each other was enough.

That was something special, something that didn’t come along twice in a lifetime.

Chain flicked his cigarette, barely looking up. “You finally decide to grace us with your presence?”

I exhaled slow, shoving my hands into my pockets. “What’s goin’ on?”

He took another drag, his eyes sharp as they met mine. “One of Drago’s boys got spotted near our territory last night.”

That got my attention real quick. My jaw clenched, my mind already running through possibilities. “Where?”

“Outside a dive bar at the county line. Didn’t cause no trouble, just sat there drinkin’ and makin’ himself real fuckin’ noticeable.” Chain’s lip curled in disgust. “Like he wanted us to see him.”

“That’s ‘cause he did,” I muttered, running a hand over my jaw. “Drago’s sendin’ a message.”

---