Page 75 of Worshiping Faith

Footsteps, a little heavier than they need to be. Hewantsto be heard.

There’s comfort in that.

In a place this tight, knowing who’s coming before they’re on top of you is a gift.

I step into the hall, Wilkes at my back.

Zachs grins as soon as he sees me, dimples deep, eyes wicked. “Got him settled?”

“As good as it gets,” I say, still trying to shake the moment I just had with Wilkes. The shift in energy. The quiet intensity.

“Like your room?” Zachs asks, voice light, playful.

I open my mouth, but before I can answer, he winks. “Found you a cushy blanket. Nothing’s too good for my savage sweetheart.”

Holy shit.

Did he just say that in front of Wilkes?

Is that how this works?

I glance at Wilkes, but he doesn’t react.

Not visibly.

Not the way Dax would, jaw ticking, muscles coiling.

Not the way Zachs wants him to, ruffled, provoked.

Instead, Wilkes just watches. Cool. Measuring. Like he’s filing the moment away for later.

Zachs,of course, doesn’t give a single fuck. He hands the food and water off to Wilkes like it’s an afterthought. “Watch Jinx? I need to show Doc the layout.”

Wilkes takes the supplies. Doesn’t say a word.

But when his gaze flicks back to me, it holds.

Like he’s waiting for me to make the call.

I swallow, heart thudding in a way that has nothing to do with the ship.

And then I turn to Zachs.

“Lead the way.”

Chapter Seventeen

Zachs

I feel her unease.

This ship, this whole situation, it’s throwing her. She doesn’t like the unknown.

And fuck, do I get that.

But steadying people? That’s not my skill set. I throw people off balance, not the other way around.

Yet when she laces her arm around my waist and tucks herself under my shoulder, I swear to God, my whole fucking world tilts.

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