The quiet hum of the night was a rare comfort in the Montell estate, and for once, Jake wasn’t wearing the mask of a gang leader. He lay next to Katherine, one arm loosely around her waist, his fingers trailing idle circles on her side. The room was dim, soft moonlight casting shadows across their entwined figures.
Katherine turned to look at him, eyes narrowed slightly. “You’re unusually calm tonight.”
Jake gave a lopsided smile. “I’m with you. Why wouldn’t I be?”
She didn’t answer, but the slight curve at the corner of her lips was enough. It had been a long, bloody week. Thompson’s death still echoed in her head—her hands still trembled at the memory. But with Jake beside her, his touch so gentle, it felt like she could almost breathe again.
Almost.
“You’re not going soft on me, ar
