Page 63 of Born to Bleed

“I guess I am.”

His gaze dropped to the pool of blood forming on the floor, creeping up closer to him. He did not step back from it, instead staying planted in that position, adrenaline dying down. “You got what you wanted.” Her revenge. Greene’s death. What she’d wanted so badly she was willing to risk everything for.

“Yes,” she murmured. When he looked up, her eyes were on him. “I got exactly what I wanted.”

The silence hung heavy between them, and then she ran to him, dropping her weapon to the ground and throwing herself into his arms. Hayden lifted her, though it wasn’t with as much ease as he normally would—one arm and all. He held her close, burying his face in the crook of her neck and breathing in her scent.

She dropped to the floor, pulling a few inches from him, though she stayed in his arms. Then she slapped him across the face. The good side of his face. “Don’t you ever ditch me like that again!”

He just grinned. “Who would’ve come to rescue me if we’d both been captured?”

She frowned, her nostrils flaring. “Neither of us had to be captured.” She sucked in a breath of air. “And another thing—”

He pressed his lips to hers, silencing her as she melted into him. She kissed him as if she’d never tasted something as divine… which was a wonderful thought, because it was exactly the way he’d felt about her. His tongue swiped into her mouth, meeting hers and awakening his body, making the throbbing head, bloody face, and dislocated shoulder disappear into the background.

“I love you, Anna,” he breathed against her lips before kissing her once more.

She pulled away, meeting his gaze. “I love you, too.”

His heart… might’ve melted. Might’ve burst. Might’ve exploded like those bombs they never needed to make. Emotion welled up in his throat, emotions he never knew he had, and formed a knot there.

He kissed her again, not wanting her to see, but knowing she already had… she knew. They both knew.

She owned his soul.

Chapter Fourteen

“THE QUESTION ISN’T ABOUT if we can hold it with just our current fighters, it’s how long.” Sawyer rubbed his hands together. “We’re not out in the middle of nowhere like the Central District was. We’re in UNR controlled territory, and they’re not gonna be happy when they hear what we’ve done here.”

Anna’s hand fell on Hayden’s knee, sending warmth through his body at the small touch. “How long will it take to get more men out here?”

“More importantly,” Mason interjected, “how do you plan to keep those that are already here? I have a lot of men and women here who want to go home.”

Silence stretched amongst everyone. They’d taken the compound and had been holding up in it for three days now. For most of those days, they all worked on healing, interacting with citizens who’d stayed behind and shown support, and grieving the losses they’d had.

Hayden needed a few stitches on his face, but that was nothing new. He’d needed plenty of stitches on his face in his life, and he’d need plenty more. What angered him more was the fact that Anna had needed stitches. He didn’t like that she’d been hurt. Though, she’d just rolled her eyes over his annoyance at that.

Sawyer and Mason had popped his shoulder back in place, and now it hung in a makeshift sling while it healed completely. The last thing he wanted was to go through popping it back into place another time.

“We should abandon the compound.” All heads turned to him, but nobody said a word. He elaborated. “As you said, it’s not a matter of if, but when. The UNR will send reinforcements to take back the compound, and while we may be able to hold them off temporarily, that won’t last long.” Truthfully, Hayden didn’t even think they’d be able to hold it back from initial troops. This was a massive district, and the UNR would send whatever force necessary to take it back.

“So,” he continued, “instead of risking our people, we let them take it back. Head home. Regroup. Come back with a well-armed army and take the whole damn thing.”

His brother’s eyes widened. “You think we’re ready for that? To go after the Eastern Stronghold?”

Hayden shrugged, a dull pain reminding him not to move his shoulder while it healed. “Maybe not right this moment. But with a few weeks of stocking up, training, and planning with Hunter and the others? Absolutely.”

Sawyer stared for a moment, then nodded to himself. He looked to Mason.

All Hayden could focus on was the gentle way Anna’s thumb absently made circles just above his knee, as if she needed to be touching him. The same way he needed to be touching her.

“I can’t guarantee anything, but I like that plan a helluva lot more than staying here like sitting ducks.” Mason stood, turning to the door. “I’ll talk to the others.” He strode from the room.

Hayden turned to Anna, staring at her thoughtful features. “What is it, love?”

She turned to him, a small flush coloring her cheeks. “I was just thinking about what a fun journey back it will be.” Her lips spread into a wide smile, warming his insides, as her smiles always did. “I have a few fun pit stops in mind.”

Hayden grinned, his voice coming out even lower than usual. “I can’t wait to explore these ideas of yours.”

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