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KISS'S POV
The room was quiet in a way that felt earned.
Not empty. Not awkward.
Just… still.
I lay beneath the sheets, the faint glow of the bedside lamp casting soft shadows across Adrian's face. His arm was draped over my waist, heavy and warm, anchoring me in place as if I might disappear if he loosened his grip.
My body still hummed—not from desire now, but from awareness.
Of him. Of us. Of what we'd crossed.
I traced a slow line across his chest with my fingertip, watching the steady rise and fall of his breathing. For the first time since I met Adrian Goodwill, he looked unguarded. No tension in his jaw. No calculation in his eyes.
Just a man.
A dangerous one. But human.
"Stop thinking so loudly," he murmured, voice rough with sleep.
I froze. "I wasn't—"
"You always do," he said, eyes still closed. "You get quiet when your mind starts running."
I swallowed.
"Then what do you hear now?" I asked softly.
He opened his eyes.
Dark. Intent. Too aware.
"I hear a woman trying to convince herself this didn't change anything," he said.
My breath hitched.
"And did it?" I whispered.
He shifted, rolling onto his side so we were face to face. His hand slid up my back, slow—not demanding, not urgent. Just present.
"Yes," he said without hesitation. "It changed everything."
That scared me more than I expected.
I sat up slightly, pulling the sheet tighter around myself—not out of shame, but instinct. "Adrian… we crossed a line tonight."
"We burned it," he corrected calmly.
I searched his face. "What happens when morning comes?"
His gaze softened—not weak, not uncertain—but deliberate.
"Then I stand by what I chose."
"And what did you choose?" I asked.
He reached up, brushed his thumb across my lower lip—gentle, almost reverent.
"You."
The word settled heavy in my chest.
"But choosing me," I said carefully, "means consequences. Ashley. Chris. Your world."
A shadow passed through his eyes at the mention of the names.
"Let me worry about them," he said. "I won't let anyone touch what's mine."
I stiffened slightly. "I'm not a possession."
His expression changed instantly.
"I know," he said quietly. "You're a partner. That's why I'm asking—"
He paused.
"Stay."
Not an order. A request.
I nodded slowly. "Then I need honesty."
"You'll have it," he promised.
Outside, the city lights shimmered beyond the curtains—beautiful, indifferent.
I didn't know yet how fragile this peace was.
---
ADRIAN'S POV
I didn't sleep.
Not really.
I watched her instead.
The way her lashes rested against her cheeks. The faint crease between her brows even in rest, like she was always bracing for impact.
I had dragged her into my war.
And for the first time in my life, that terrified me.
At dawn, I slipped out of bed quietly, pulling on trousers and a shirt. I stood by the window, phone in hand, watching the early light spill over the city.
I made the call.
"Oscar," I said quietly. "Clear my schedule today."
A pause. "Everything?"
"Yes."
Another pause. Smarter this time. "Is Kiss safe?"
I glanced back at her.
"She's with me."
"Understood," Oscar said. "Then I'll handle the rest."
I ended the call.
Behind me, the sheets rustled.
"You don't sleep," Kiss said softly.
"I do," I replied, turning. "Just not often."
She sat up, hair falling over her shoulders, eyes sharp despite the early hour.
"What happens now?" she asked again.
I walked back to the bed, sitting beside her.
"Now," I said, "we become visible."
Her breath caught.
"That's dangerous."
"Yes."
She studied me. "Then why do it?"
"Because hiding you almost cost me you," I said simply.
A knock sounded at the door.
Once. Twice.
I stood instantly, tension snapping back into place.
"I'll handle it," I said.
But I already knew.
I opened the door.
Ashley Barlow stood there, immaculate as ever—tailored coat, perfect makeup, eyes sharp with fury barely concealed.
"So it's true," she said, her gaze flicking past me into the room.
I stepped fully into the doorway, blocking her view.
"This ends now," I said coldly.
She laughed bitterly. "You always come back, Adrian."
"Not this time."
Her eyes hardened. "You think she'll survive you?"
I leaned closer, voice low. "She doesn't need to survive me. She stands beside me."
Ashley's lips trembled—just for a second.
Then she straightened. "You'll regret this."
I didn't reply.
I closed the door.
---
KISS'S POV
I heard everything.
The calm. The finality.
When Adrian returned, I was standing by the window, wrapped in his shirt.
He stopped short.
"You heard."
"I did."
Silence stretched between us.
I turned. "Are you sure about this?"
He crossed the room and stopped in front of me, close enough that I felt his warmth again.
"No," he said honestly. "But I'm certain about you."
I exhaled slowly.
"Chris won't stop," I said.
"I know."
"And your world doesn't forgive weakness."
He cupped my face, resting his forehead against mine.
"Then we don't give it any."
His phone buzzed in his hand.
A message.
His jaw tightened.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Chris," he said quietly. "He just made his move."
My heart skipped.
Adrian kissed my forehead once—gentle, grounding.
"Get dressed," he said. "We're not done fighting yet."
Outside, the city was waking up.
And somewhere between love and war—
We were about to be tested.