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Mad Dog shook his head and took a step back. “Thanks for the offer. My life is out here. You take care of yourself. Take care of everyone in that bunker. And don’t stop playing your music. There are nights when it’s the only thing that keeps me going. You’re a hell of a woman, Octavia. Make sure your man knows that.” He shoved Jude and raised his eyebrows. “You take care of her, or you’ll have me breaking down your door and asking some ugly questions.”

“I intend to.” Jude looked at Octavia, his expression serious.

The rest of Hive Two, Tobias, and Jude climbed into the Foxhound.

Jude’s arm wrapped around Octavia’s shoulders and he gripped them as they sped away from the burning building. He fitted a new earbud and activated it. “Heath. We’re leaving. Mission accomplished.”

“Is everyone accounted for?” asked Heath.

His gaze shifted to Octavia and then Tobias. “We’ve had a few injuries. We’re all here.”

“We monitored the explosions,” said Heath. “You did an excellent job. The vaccine won’t be going anywhere.”

“Let’s hope so. We’ll see you back at base.”

“Will do.”

Octavia felt Jude sink down next to her. He nudged her with his shoulder. “How are you feeling?”

“Honestly, like death warmed up.”

“Your heart stopped,” said Jude. “I thought I’d lost you.” He looked away and swallowed.

He had. For a moment, she’d known nothing but blackness. She touched his chin with a finger and tilted his face back to her. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. Not without you.”

“You’d better believe it.” He nuzzled the side of her neck.

That one tender gesture broke her. She didn’t hide the tears sliding down her cheeks.

Jude gathered her in his arms without saying a word, sliding her onto his lap and holding her against him.

She didn’t care who watched her lose control. Everything hit her at once. Being alone for so long, fighting the perpetual loneliness, convinced she wasn’t good enough to be with anyone. Then finally meeting Jude. His complete acceptance of her, no matter what she looked like. He was always there for her. He always would be. She loved him. She wanted no one else.

Jude simply held her, letting her cry it out until the tears slowed and her limbs stopped shaking.

He stroked away the last few tears and kissed her inflamed cheeks. “The worst is over. We’ll get back to base, then you’re not going anywhere.”

She sniffed back tears and gave him a smile. “I might need to leave at some point.”

“Not for a long time.” His grip tightened around her. “You’re getting sleep and rest. I will spoil you rotten. You will forget all about this.”

“Does that mean I don’t have to eat any more protein pouches from the canteen?”

“Not if you don’t want to.” Jude kissed her forehead. “I will do everything in my power to make sure you never go through anything like this again.”

Octavia wrapped her arms around his middle. It was a big promise. They lived in a dangerous world. Facing death had become a daily reality. But she loved the thought that she had Jude watching her back, always there for her. She also knew he’d fight like the devil to keep her safe.

Exhaustion sank over Octavia. She let it take her. As sleep pushed her back into darkness, she felt Jude’s lips against her ear. “I love you.”