Page 28 of Charged By the Razorbacks

They cleared the last stretch without further resistance, pushing out into the open night air where the tension finally eased just enough to breathe.

Aleksy moved immediately toward the transport, lowering Naomi carefully as the med team closed in, their movements efficient and practiced as they took over.

Jarek hung back for a moment, his attention shifting to Tamsin again.

She stood just outside the movement, shoulders squared, her breathing steadying as the adrenaline settled. Her sai were still in her hands, her grip loose but ready.

He watched her longer than he should have.

“Tamsin.”

The voice cut through cleanly. Naomi.

Jarek’s attention snapped back as Tamsin moved immediately, crossing the distance and dropping beside her without hesitation. Whatever edge she carried into a fight shifted again, not gone, but redirected.

“Hey,” she said, her voice quieter now. “You’re safe.”

Naomi’s eyes struggled to focus at first, then settled on Tamsin’s face, something fragile and shaken breaking through before she pulled it back together. “Tams...”

“I’ve got you,” Tamsin said, steady and certain. “You’re okay.”

Naomi swallowed, her fear still there, still visible, but she fought it, forced herself to hold steady. Jarek saw it for what it was. Strength.

“They ... they were—” Naomi started.

“I know,” Tamsin said, cutting in gently. “You don’t need to go there right now.”

Naomi’s breath hitched, her gaze searching. “I didn’t think anyone would come.”

“We came,” Tamsin said simply.

Naomi nodded faintly, holding onto that. “What do I do, now?”

Tamsin didn’t hesitate. “You get well, that’s your job right now.”

Naomi nodded again, small but certain.

Then her gaze shifted, catching on Jarek and Aleksy where they stood behind Tamsin, both of them still, both of them very much present.

“And them?” she asked, her voice still unsteady but steadier than it had been moments ago. “The Viking hulks standing behind you?”

Tamsin didn’t even turn. “I’ve got them on probation.”

Jarek let out a quiet snort, the sound slipping out before he could stop it. Beside him, Aleksy exhaled, something almost like amusement breaking through his usual control.

“Temporary probation,” Aleksy said.

“About to end due to good behavior,” Jarek added.

Naomi blinked at them, then back at Tamsin, and despite everything, despite the fear still sitting in her eyes, a small, shaky smile broke through.

It was enough.

Jarek’s gaze shifted back to Tamsin, watching the way she stayed steady beside Naomi, the way she anchored her without even trying.

They had someone worth fighting for, and they wouldn’t let her go.

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