Page 100 of Rampage

"Thank you," Reid murmurs, his eyes never leaving mine as Meadow slips past him and closes the door.

In three strides, he's beside me, gathering me gently into his arms as if I might shatter. His body trembles against mine, his breathing uneven as he buries his face in my hair.

"I thought I'd lost you," he whispers, his voice breaking. "When I saw your apartment…"

I press closer, inhaling his familiar scent—soap and leather and safety. "I knew you'd find me."

He pulls back just enough to frame my face with his hands, his thumbs tracing the bruises with featherlight touches. His eyes darken as they catalog each injury, fury warring with the tenderness in his expression.

"I should have been with you," he says, self-recrimination thick in his voice. "I should have protected you."

"You did protect me," I insist, covering his hands with mine. "You taught me to fight back. You showed me I was worth fighting for."

Something shifts in his gaze, pride breaking through the guilt and rage. He presses his forehead to mine, our breaths mingling in the small space between us.

"Walter will never touch another woman again," he promises, the words carrying a finality that should frighten me but instead brings only relief.

"I know." I run my fingers through his damp hair, anchoring him to me. "I know what you'll do to him. What you have to do."

Reid studies my face, perhaps searching for judgment or fear. Finding none, he exhales slowly. "Does that scare you? Knowing what I'm capable of?"

"No," I answer truthfully. "What scares me is the thought of losing you. Everything else…" I trail off, shaking my head. "After what they did, what they planned to do, they deserve whatever comes."

He kisses me then, sweetly, careful of my split lip. When he pulls away, his eyes have softened, the murderous rage temporarily banked out beneath concern.

"You need to rest," he murmurs, helping me lie back against the pillows. "Your body's been through hell."

"Stay with me," I plead, gripping his hand as he starts to move away. "Please. I can't— I don't want to be alone."

"I'm not going anywhere," he promises, stretching out beside me and pulling me into the shelter of his body. His arm drapes protectively across my waist, his chest warm against my back. "Sleep now. I'll be right here when you wake up."

I nestle closer to him, letting his steady heartbeat lull me toward sleep. The terror of the day recedes, replaced by bone-deep exhaustion and the knowledge that I'm safe—truly safe—in Reid's arms.

"I love you," I whisper, already drifting.

His arm tightens around me, his lips pressing a kiss to my temple. "Forever, Lily," he breathes against my skin. "More than my life."

I drift into darkness, wrapped in his warmth and protection, finally allowing myself to surrender to exhaustion.

Sunlight streams through the curtains, painting warm patterns across the bed. Reid sits on the side of the bed, fully dressed in dark clothes, watching me with an expression I can't quite read. His knuckles are freshly bruised, a small cut above his eyebrow that wasn't there last night.

"Hey," I murmur, pushing myself up against the pillows. Every muscle protests the movement, reminding me of yesterday's ordeal.

Reid leans forward, brushing my hair back from my face with tender fingers. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore," I admit. "But better."

He nods, his eyes tracing the bruises on my throat, the cut on my collarbone. Something dark and resolute settles in his gaze.

"I need to go for a while," he says quietly, his voice carefully controlled. "Lane and the others are downstairs. They won't leave you alone for a second until I get back."

I know immediately what this means. The club has Walter Dawson somewhere, waiting for Reid to deliver his justice. My stomach tightens, not with fear or revulsion, but with a fierce, primitive satisfaction that surprises me.

"Okay," I whisper, reaching for his hand.

Reid brings my fingers to his lips, pressing a kiss to my bruised knuckles. "I'm going to take care of Walter," he says, his voice dropping to a dangerous rumble. "Make sure he never hurts anyone again."

I meet his gaze steadily, finding no hesitation within myself. "Do what you need to do."

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