Page 18 of Rampage

His smile is slow and genuine. "I want to."

"It won't be fun," I warn him. "My hometown is small, smaller than this place. People talk. And Frank, my foster father, he has friends everywhere."

Reid's expression hardens slightly at the mention of Frank. "All the more reason for you to have backup. When is it?"

"Three weeks from Saturday.”

He nods, already mentally planning, it seems. "We'll take my truck, not the bike. More comfortable for the drive."

The matter-of-fact way he approaches this, like protecting me is the most natural thing in the world, makes my throat tight with an emotion I'm not ready to examine.

"Thank you," I say.

His hand finds mine, fingers entwining with a tenderness that belies his imposing appearance. "Anytime, Lily. I mean that."

And standing there in the sunlight, his hand warm around mine, I almost believe that everything might be okay.

The moment shatters as someone bumps into me from behind. I stumble forward, and Reid's arm shoots out to steady me. A group of rowdy teenagers passes by, oblivious to the near collision.

But something shifts in Reid's demeanor. His posture straightens, his jaw sets, and his eyes darken as they scan the street with a new alertness. His hand tightens around mine, not painfully but firmly enough that I notice the change.

"Reid?" I question softly, startled by his sudden transformation.

He looks down at me, and the intensity in his gaze makes my breath catch. This isn't the kind, patient man from moments ago. This is someone else, someone harder, more commanding.

"Listen to me, Lily," he says, his voice dropping to a low, authoritative tone I haven't heard from him before. "I need you to understand something right now."

He guides me to the side of the walkway, positioning himself between me and the street. His shoulders block out the sun, casting me in his shadow.

"What you've told me about your foster father, what I've seen in your eyes when you talk about going back…" He shakes his head, his expression fierce. "I won't let anyone hurt you again. Not him, not anyone."

"Reid—" I start, but he cuts me off.

"No, I need you to hear this." His hand moves to my face, cupping my cheek with steel in his voice. "When we go to that wedding, you are under my protection. That means you stay by my side. If something feels wrong, you tell me immediately. If he approaches you, you don't face him alone."

His intensity should frighten me. It should trigger all my warning signals, remind me of Frank's controlling nature. But it doesn't. Because beneath Reid's commanding tone, I hear something entirely different from what I'm used to—concern, not control. Protection, not possession.

"I'm going to keep you safe, Lily. That's not negotiable." His thumb brushes across my cheekbone. "I know you can take care of yourself. You've proven that. But you don't have to anymore. Not when I'm with you. Do you understand?"

I swallow hard, overwhelmed by the fierce promise in his eyes. "Yes."

His expression softens slightly, but the determination remains. "Good."

When he straightens, some of the tension leaves his shoulders, but I can still see it, this protective, alpha side of him that had been carefully contained until now. It's both intimidating and oddly comforting.

"Sorry," he says, noticing my wide eyes. "I didn't mean to come on so strong. But I needed you to know where I stand on this."

I take a deep breath, processing this new facet of Reid. "It's okay. I'm just not used to… someone caring that much."

His expression darkens momentarily. "Get used to it," he says firmly. "Because I'm not going anywhere."

Before I can respond, a police cruiser pulls up alongside us, its lights flashing briefly before shutting off. My blood runs cold as an officer steps out, his hand resting casually on his belt. Something about his stance makes my stomach clench.

"Well, well," the officer says, approaching us with deliberate slowness. "Lily Chambers, isn't it?"

I freeze, my entire body going rigid. How does he know my name? I haven't used my real last name since I left.

Reid's arm comes around me protectively, his body shifting to partially shield mine. "Is there a problem, Officer?" His voice is deceptively calm, but I can feel the tension beaming from him.

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