Dawn broke over the compound in streaks of orange and blood-red.
I woke up tangled in Colossus’s arms, his massive chest rising and falling steady beneath my cheek. For one perfect second, the world felt quiet. His hand rested on my bare back, fingers splayed like he was still making sure I was real.
Then the knock came.
Rogue’s voice was grim through the door. “Colossus. Lena. You need to see this. Now.”
We dressed in silence, the heat from last night still humming between us. Colossus kept one hand on my lower back as we walked to the main room. The whole club was already there — tired, wired, waiting.
On the big table sat a single envelope. No name. Just my name scrawled in messy handwriting.
Inside was a photo.
My mom. Blindfolded. Hands zip-tied. Standing in front of what looke
