Page 66 of Beautiful Scars: Unshakeable

"Thought you were sleeping," Sunny mumbles without opening her eyes.

"Please. No rest for the wicked baby." Jade pulls down the bottle of Woodford Reserve—Colt's favorite. "Besides, someone's gotta make sure that man of mine takes a break."

I watch her precise movements as she pours two fingers in each glass. This little ritual of theirs has become as much a part of our household routine as morning coffee or training sessions. Every night, like clockwork, she brings him a drink and they spend an hour or so on the back porch together, finding their own pocket of peace in our chaotic world.

"He still out in the barn with Wolf?" Levi asks, though we all know the answer.

"Mmhmm. Going over routes for tomorrow's supply run again." Jade rolls her eyes fondly. "As if they haven't planned it six ways from Sunday already."

Sunny shifts slightly, burrowing deeper into my lap. My hand stills in her hair as she settles. These casual touches still amaze me—how easily she accepts comfort from us now, how naturally physical affection comes to her when it's just us.

"Tell him not to stay up too late. Early training tomorrow,” I remind.

Jade snorts. "I'll make sure." She balances the glasses carefully. "I'll tell him the big scary teddy bear insists."

I arch an eyebrow at her. "Teddy bear huh?"

"I saw right through you from day one." She winks. "I knew there was a total softie buried underneath all that brooding tough guy bullshit."

Levi chuckles. "She's got you there."

I would argue, but Sunny's sleepy smile tells me they're right. I've gone soft, at least where she's concerned. Where this whole makeshift family is concerned, if I'm being honest.

"Speaking of softie," Jade says, nodding toward Sunny, "you boys planning on letting her sleep there all night?"

"She's comfortable," I reply simply.

"You two have it bad." Jade shakes her head, but her expression is fond. "You're all disgustingly perfect for each other, you know that?"

Before any of us can respond, the back door creaks open. Colt's heavy footsteps cross the porch.

"That's my cue." Jade lifts the glasses. "She really would be more comfortable in bed, you know."

She slips out the back door, and moments later we hear the quiet murmur of voices as she and Colt begin their nightly ritual. The door clicks shut behind her, leaving us in comfortable silence broken only by the TV's soft drone.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Levi

Isnapawakeintotal darkness, my body instantly alert. Sunny's warm weight against my chest shifts as she stirs. Something's wrong. The constant background hum of electronics, security systems, cameras—gone. There's nothing. Just… silence

"Z." My voice cuts through the blackness. A rustle of sheets tells me he's already moving.

"You take point," Zane responds, our practiced drill kicking in.

The mattress dips as I slide out. My hand finds Sunny's shoulder, keeping her close while my other reaches for the Glock at the side of the bed. The darkness feels alive, pressing in from all sides. No streetlights are filtering in through the windows. No soft glow from electronics. Nothing.

"It's okay Sunny, we've got you," I whisper when she tenses. Her fingers curl around my arm, her breathing quick but controlled. She's scared but handling it. "The power's out."

Heavy footsteps pound up the stairs—Wolf's distinctive gait. He stops at the door, knowing better than to burst in without warning.

"Boss! Power's out across the property. Generator failed to kick in." His voice carries through the door. "Rex pulled together a team and they're headed outside now."

"Coming." I ease Sunny toward the center of the bed. "Z?"

"Got her." She lets go of my hand once she's secure with him.

The floor's cold under my bare feet as I move through the pitch-black room from memory. Twenty steps to the door. Three to the hall. The weight of the gun in my hand is comforting as I hit the top of the stairs.

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