Shay let out a breath, quiet and shaky.“What now?”she asked.
I kept my gaze on her.“Now?You stay with me.”
“And then?”
“And then,” I said, “we get ready.”
“For what?”
“For the next move he makes.”
Shay crossed her arms tighter around herself but didn’t look away.
“And me?”she whispered.“What’s my next move?”
I stepped closer, not touching her, not crowding, but enough that my heat wrapped around her.
“Your only move,” I said, “stay alive.”
Chapter Six
Shay
I wasn’t brave.
Not really.
I could pretend to be.I could crack jokes and keep my chin high and talk back to men who looked like they started bar fights for cardio.But inside?I was a vibrating string, stretched tight and ready to snap.
Prime said I didn’t have to be tough.
But he sure acted like he expected me to hold myself together while standing in the shadow of something much bigger and darker than I understood.
After our moment outside, Prime walked me back inside and down the hallway.
He didn’t touch me.
He didn’t have to.
His presence was like a second heartbeat keeping time with mine.
He pointed to my door.“Inside.”
“Bossy,” I muttered.
He raised an eyebrow.“You want me to carry you?”
I opened the door and stepped inside without another word.
He smirked.“Thought so.”
He pulled the door shut behind me but stayed right outside, the same way he always did.I didn’t need to check.I could feel him there.
It was weird how fast I’d gotten used to that.
Prime.
Right outside.
