MALCOLM POV
Liana’s trembling form nestled against Reed’s chest, her face buried in the crook of his shoulder as he whispered soothing words into her ear. Her fragile sobs were muffled, but I could feel the ripple of unease in the room. The girl had been through hell—and she wasn’t the only one.
I leaned against the fireplace, my arms crossed tightly as I watched Reed brush his lips over her hair, his movements gentle and protective. It was hard to tell who he was trying to comfort more—her or himself.
“Someone needs to check outside,” Callum murmured, his voice low but edged with tension. He hovered near the window, his sharp gaze flicking between the shadows beyond the glass and the huddle of bodies in the room.
“I’ll do it,” Asher volunteered, his tone firm. He moved swiftly toward
