Page 31 of Rampage

I respond instinctively, my hands sliding up his chest to tangle in his hair. Reid makes a sound low in his throat—half groan, half growl—and deepens the kiss. His tongue traces the seam of my lips, seeking entrance that I willingly grant.

The sensation overwhelms me. Every nerve ending ignites as his tongue slides against mine, exploring, tasting. His hands move from my face to my back, pulling me flush against his hard body. I can feel the heat of him through the thin cotton of his t-shirt, the solid wall of his chest against my softer curves.

When we finally break apart, both gasping for air, Reid rests his forehead against mine. His blue eyes are dark with desire, his breathing as ragged as my own.

"I've wanted to do that since the first time I saw you," he confesses, his voice rough.

I trace my fingers along the strong line of his jaw, marveling at the contrast between his fierce exterior and the tenderness in his gaze. "Why did you wait so long?"

His thumb brushes across my lower lip, making me shiver. "Because you weren't ready. Because I needed you to trust me first."

The consideration in his words touches something deep inside me, this dangerous-looking man with his careful patience, his respect for my boundaries even as he battles his own desires.

"And now?" I whisper, my body still pressed against his.

"Now," he says, pressing a softer kiss to my forehead, "you need to sleep. It's been a hell of a day, and tomorrow won't be any easier."

Disappointment flickers through me, but I recognize the wisdom in his restraint. My emotions are raw, my judgment compromised by exhaustion and the day's events.

"Stay with me?" I ask, not ready to let go of his warmth.

Reid nods, guiding me toward the couch. He sits first, then gently pulls me down beside him, arranging us so that I'm tucked against his side, my head resting on his chest. His heartbeat is strong and steady beneath my ear, his arm a comforting weight around my shoulders.

"We'll figure everything out tomorrow," he promises, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

As sleep begins to claim me, I realize that for the first time in my life, I'm not facing my demons alone. Whatever comes next—Frank, the false charges, the wedding—I have Reid beside me. And somehow, that makes all the difference.

"Thank you," I murmur against his chest, already drifting off.

Reid

"Sleep well, beautiful," I whisper, though she's already drifting off.

I hold her against me, barely daring to breathe too deeply for fear of disturbing her. Lily's breath evens out, her body growing heavier against mine as sleep claims her completely. Only then do I allow myself to fully process everything that's happened today.

She's here. In my house. In my clothes. The reality of it all hits me like a freight train.

I've wanted this for months—to have her close, to keep her safe within these walls—but not like this. Not with her running from a false warrant and an abusive piece of shit who won't let her go. The protective instinct that's always been my curse and blessing roars to life inside me, demanding action. Demanding blood.

Carefully, I shift us both so I can look down at her sleeping face. Even unconscious, there's a tension around her eyes, a slight furrow between her brows that speaks of years spent on high alert. My chest tightens at the sight. No one should have to live that way, especially not someone as brave and determined as Lily.

I brush a strand of dark brown hair from her forehead, marveling at how soft it feels against my rough fingers. The urge to protect her is overwhelming, a physical ache that spreads through my entire body. It's more than attraction, more than the club's obligation. It's a need as essential as breathing.

Frank Dawson is a dead man walking. He just doesn't know it yet.

The thought should trouble me, but it doesn't. The club has lines we don't cross, but protecting women and children has always been our highest priority. What Frank did to Lily, to those other girls… there's no redemption for men like that.

Lily stirs slightly in her sleep, her hand fisting in my shirt as if seeking reassurance. I tighten my arm around her, pulling her closer.

"I've got you," I murmur against her hair. "Nothing's going to hurt you again."

And I mean it with every fiber of my being. I'll burn the whole world down if that's what it takes to keep her safe. The realization should scare me, this fierce, all-consuming protectiveness for someone I've only just begun to know, but instead it feels right. Like finding a missing piece of myself I didn't know was gone.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. Carefully extracting it without disturbing Lily, I see a text from my father:

Chief called. Officer Jenkins suspended pending investigation. Tiffany is meeting tomorrow 10AM at clubhouse. Bring Lily.

I type a quick confirmation, then set my phone aside. Tomorrow will bring a new set of challenges, but tonight, all that matters is that she's here, safe in my arms. I can't give her back the years she spent in fear, but I can damn well make sure she never feels that way again.

---