Page 58 of With this Ring

“Yeah. I won’t be available for assignments anytime in the near future.”

The line was silent for a few moments, then Hawkeye hung up.

Still needing to burn off the angst churning in him, Gregorio headed downstairs to wash their mugs.

Then, telling himself he was just doing his job, he checked on her.

His Sasha looked perfect, innocent, with her hair spread across on his pillow. Faint shadows from the stress she’d been under were painted beneath her eyes.

Everything in him tightened.

This was where she belonged.

“No one will hurt you, Petal.”Not even me.

Restless energy churning in him, he set the alarm then headed to the garage gym.

Once inside, he tipped his wrist and opened the security app on his watch. If anything—anyone—came near her, he’d instantly know.

Then he stripped off his shirt and once more positioned himself in front of the heavy punching bag.

With a deep breath, he began striking it with precision and force, the dull thuds echoing in the otherwise quiet room.

Faint sounds from the Den reached him—people laughing on the patio, vehicles leaving.

Each of his punches was fueled by his anger at whoever had dared to threaten her. Intentionally, he shoved aside his own complicated emotions and instead channeled that tension into his precise movements. Within minutes, his face dripped with sweat and exertion made his muscles burn.

Time vanished as he lost himself in the physical sensations.

Finally, with one last powerful strike, he stepped back, breathing hard.

But his mind was clearer, his emotions under control—the way they should be.

After snatching up a towel, he made a halfhearted attempt to dry himself off before pulling on his shirt and jogging back to the cottage.

His beautiful Petal was still asleep, her hair fanned out on the pillow. So fucking right. She belonged here. With him.

But the fact she was in danger filled him with seething rage.

On the other hand, that’s what had finally brought her to him.

Careful not to wake her, he moved silently past the bed and into the bathroom.

He turned on the shower, letting the steam fill the small space as he undressed.

After removing his bandage, he stood beneath the hot spray, he closed his eyes and let the water soothe his aching muscles.

Moments later, the temperature in the room dropped, and he instantly tensed.

“Gregorio?”

He exhaled.Petal.

With his hand, he cleared steam from the glass door. She was gloriously naked and walking toward him.

“Room for one more?”

“Yeah.”

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