Page 62 of Rampage

Instead, it feels like power.

eight

Lily

When we arrive at Reid's cabin, the exhaustion hits me all at once. The adrenaline that kept me going through the night—through confronting Frank, retrieving the evidence, discovering the horrifying network of corruption—drains away, leaving me hollow and trembling.

Reid notices immediately, his arm sliding around my waist as my knees threaten to buckle on the porch steps.

"I've got you," he murmurs, his voice a warm rumble against my ear.

Inside, the cabin feels like a sanctuary, warm wood and soft lighting, far removed from the horrors we've uncovered tonight. Reid locks the door behind us, checking the windows with practiced efficiency before returning to where I stand swaying in the living room.

"You need rest," he says, his eyes soft with concern as they scan my face. "And to wash this night off your skin."

I nod, unable to form words through the fog of exhaustion. The thought of a shower, of hot water washing away the lingering sensation of Frank's house, of his eyes on me, is suddenly all I can think about.

Reid takes my hand, leading me gently toward the bathroom. He turns on the shower, adjusting the temperature with care, before turning back to me. Steam begins to fill the room, fogging the mirror and creating a cocoon of warmth around us.

"Arms up," he says softly, and I comply without thinking, letting him lift my shirt over my head. His movements are clinical yet tender.

He continues helping me out of my jeans, my socks, my undergarments. There's nothing sexual in his touch, just pure, nurturing care that makes my eyes sting with unexpected tears.

"In you go," he murmurs, guiding me toward the shower. "Can you stand on your own?"

I nod, but he seems unconvinced. After a moment's hesitation, he strips down to his boxers and steps into the shower with me, his strong arms supporting my weight as the hot water cascades over us both.

"Let me," he says, reaching for the shampoo. His fingers work through my hair, massaging my scalp until I lean into his touch like a cat.

The intimacy of the moment, of being cared for so completely, so unselfishly, breaks something open inside me. Silent tears mix with the shower spray as Reid's hands move over my body, washing away the fear and tension of the night with reverent care.

"You're safe," he whispers, his lips brushing my temple as he rinses soap from my shoulders. "I've got you, Lily. Always."

When I'm clean, he wraps me in a fluffy towel, drying me with the same attentive care before guiding me to his bedroom. He pulls one of his t-shirts from a drawer—soft, worn cotton that smells like him—and helps me into it, the fabric enveloping me in warmth and security. The hem falls to mid-thigh, making the shirt a perfect nightgown.

"Into bed," he says softly, pulling back the covers. I slide between the sheets, my body heavy with exhaustion.

Reid disappears and he gets dressed for bed himself before returning with a glass of water and two small pills in his palm. "For the pain," he explains, noticing my questioning look. "You're going to be sore tomorrow from all the tension you're carrying."

I take the medication without question, trusting him completely. As I settle back against the pillows, Reid moves around the room, checking the windows and doors one last time, his protective instincts still on high alert.

"Are you coming to bed?" I ask, my voice small in the quiet room.

He turns, his expression softening as he looks at me. "I thought I might stay up, keep watch for a while."

"Please," I whisper, extending my hand toward him. "I need you here."

The simple admission seems to undo him. His shoulders relax, and he crosses to the bed, shedding his jeans and shirt before sliding in beside me. His arm wraps around my waist, drawing me against the solid warmth of his chest.

"Sleep," he murmurs against my hair. "I've got you."

Safe in his embrace, I finally surrender to the exhaustion, slipping into darkness.

I wake with a start, heart pounding, a scream trapped in my throat. Frank's face hovers in the darkness, his voice echoing in my ears. "You're mine, Lily. You'll always be mine."

Strong arms tighten around me, and for one terrifying moment, I think it's him—that he's found me, that he's here. I struggle against the hold, panic making my movements frantic.

"Lily," a deep voice cuts through the fear. "Lily, it's me. It's Reid. You're safe."

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