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I’m too tired and drained to pay much attention to what comes after. We’re invited to the house to get some dinner and explain what happened. Faith and Jackson say we can stay as long as we need to. There’s some more talk as Grant and Jackson speculate about the possibility of Wolf Packs getting together and what that means for security in the region.
Then finally Faith says, “We can talk more about this tomorrow. It’s late, and y’all have had a really hard day. Get some sleep.” She gives me a little smile. “I’m glad you two are all right.”
I smile back at her.
Grant puts his hand on my back as Faith shows us to an outbuilding where she says there’s a spare room for us. I’m not sure why he keeps his hand there—right in the middle, beneath my shoulder blades—but I like the feel of it.
It feels like I need it.
The room is very small, and it only has one cot and a small table with a washbasin and a couple of pegs to hang up clothes. Faith slants us a quick look. “Will you be okay in here?”
“It’s fine,” I tell her.
“It’s fine,” Grant says at exactly the same time.
She gives a huff of amusement and tells us good night before she leaves.
“I can sleep on the floor if you want,” Grant murmurs.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I’m already taking off my shoes, socks, and jeans. Then I maneuver out of my bra so I can sleep in my panties and top. I peed in the outhouse not long ago, so I just splash water on my face and drop into bed.
It’s not nearly as nice as the beds in the bunker, but I really don’t care right now.
I’m vaguely aware of Grant getting ready for bed too. He leaves for a few minutes—I assume to go to the bathroom—and when he comes back, he strips down to his underwear and climbs into the bed beside me.
There’s really not much room. The only comfortable way to sleep is to scoot right up against his body. Since that’s what I want anyway, I don’t hesitate to get close. He wraps both arms around me.
“Y’okay?” he asks huskily, rubbing his jaw against my messy hair.
“Yeah. Really tired.”
“Well, get some sleep. We’ll figure everything else out tomorrow.”
“Okay.” My body is already softening against him. I feel better right now than I have in hours. Like maybe the world isn’t falling apart.
Like maybe he can help me hold it all together.
“It’s okay.” He sounds just as tired as I feel. He’s speaking now in a soothing whisper. “It’ll be okay. Just get some sleep. I’ve got you.”
He does. He has me.
I fall asleep on that thought.
* * *
It’s several hours later when I wake up, and I have no idea where I am or what time it is. It’s pitch-black in the room. It smells faintly like a barn and a lot like Grant.
I’m still clinging to him, but I’ve somehow scooted down as I slept, so my head is resting on his belly.
I can feel it rising and falling. I squeeze his side and shift a little.
We’re at New Haven, I finally realize. The camp was taken over. Our people are trapped in the bunker. And Noah is dead.
Grant is awake. His hand has been tangled in my hair, and he moves it slightly, trying to extricate his fingers.
I sniff and lift my head, trying to see him in the dark.
“All right?” he asks.
