The storm hadn't eased.
Rain pounded the roof like a war drum, drowning the world outside in darkness.
But Valentina was awake.
Her body ached, every breath pulling against stitched skin, but pain was a distant thing now.
What mattered was the man sitting beside her....... silent, watchful, dangerous in his stillness.
Adrian.
She studied him through the gloom.
Broad shoulders tense.
Hand resting lightly on his gun.
Eyes never leaving the door.
A shield she hadn’t asked for and didn’t realize she needed until now.
Valentina closed her eyes briefly, feeling the blanket cocooning her, the stubborn heat radiating from his presence.
Alive.
She was alive.
Because of him.
"You should rest," Adrian said without looking at her.
His voice was low, rough from exhaustion.
"So should y
