Page 59 of Carver’s Crusade

I slip back into the bedroom and find Raven standing near the bathroom doorway wearing one of my black robes. The sleeves swallow her hands, and the sight of her shifts something inside me. This feels so domestic. That word should terrify, but instead it makes me happy.

Her hair falls loosely around her shoulders, and for the first time tonight, some of the strain has eased from her face.

“The bath’s ready,” I tell her quietly.

She smiles faintly. “Thank you.”

I walk into the bathroom and drop the lavender bath bomb into the steaming water. It fizzes instantly, releasing the soft scent of lavender into the air. Then I pour the wine and carefully place the glass on the edge of the tub.

“There you go.”

Raven steps closer, her fingers brushing lightly against my wrist. “You’re really good at this.”

“At baths?”

“At taking care of people.”

I don’t know what to say to that.

So instead, I brush my knuckles gently against her cheek before stepping back toward the door.

“Soak,” I murmur. “Try not to think for a while.”

She nods, watching me with those dark, exhausted eyes.

I leave her to the quiet and sit down on the edge of my bed.

The room smells faintly like lavender now.

And sitting here, knowing Raven’s safe only a few feet away, I realize something that should probably scare the hell out of me. Taking care of her feels right. I want her here so I can protect her. Knowing she’s safe with me makes me realize how much I’ve wanted this. How much I’ve wanted her.

CHAPTER 24: RAVEN

I sink slowly into the steaming bath, hissing softly as the heat kisses my skin. The lavender bath bomb fizzes around me, turning the water silky and fragrant while tiny purple swirls drift across the surface. It smells calming. Safe. I can’t remember the last time I felt that way.

I lean my head back against the tub and close my eyes for a second, letting the warmth seep into muscles that have been locked tight since I started my mission.

I lift the wineglass Carver brought me and take a slow sip. The Cab is rich and bold, maximizing the warmth surrounding me. Between the bath, the wine, and the quiet of Carver’s room beyond the bathroom door, my pulse finally starts to slow.

Thoughts of Carver cause my chest to tighten for a completely different reason. Other than my father when I was a young girl, no man has ever drawn me a bath before.

It’s such a simple thing, really, but it feels incredibly intimate. He didn’t demand anything from me. He didn’t make me feel weak for being scared or feel guilty about running. Instead, he just took care of me.

The memory of him standing beside me in my apartment comes rushing back. The fury in his eyes when I told him Tony attacked me. The way his jaw clenched when I explained how long Tony had been following me. Carver had looked ready to tear the city apart brick by brick to find him.

And Shield listened too. Really listened. Shield wasn’t happy that I didn’t trust him or call the police when I rescued the woman, but he still listened. He called Dante so they could discuss as a club how they’re going to handle Tony and his friends. They didn’t turn their backs and ignore the problem.

I stare down into the lavender-tinted water, emotion tightening my throat.

For so long, I’ve associated powerful men with danger. Predators wrapped in charm and fake smiles. Men like Tony, who see fear as entertainment and vulnerability as an invitation.

But Carver…

Carver offered me safety. He offered me a place to stay. He offered me protection.

The craziest part is that I believe him.

I believe that if Tony somehow walked through those clubhouse doors tonight, Carver would put himself between us without hesitation.