Code Name: Solace

CHAPTER TWELVE

Her lips parted.

"You're disgusting."

"And you came here wearing panties and a prayer. So what does that make you?"

She shoved my chest. "Shut up."

I caught her wrist, pulled her in close, lips inches from hers. "You don't want me to shut up. You want me to remind you."

"Of what?" she hissed.

"That no one's touched you like I did," I growled. "No one's ruined you like I did."

She kissed me then.

Hard. Desperate. Teeth. Tongue. A war we'd never stop fighting.

And just as quickly—she ran.

Door slamming behind her, the echo like a gunshot in my ribs.

I stood there, breathless, chest heaving. Half-wild.

But smiling.

Because she could run all she wanted.

I'd be right here.

Waiting.
——
Sierra

I didn't mean to go to Winona's room.

But by the time my feet hit the stairwell, my heart was racing too fast to stop. I took them two at a time, nearly tripping, heat still radiating off my skin.

I couldn't hold it in.

I burst into her room without knocking.

She was curled on the bed, propped up with pillows and a book in her lap. Her belly was round beneath the sheets, and she blinked at me like I'd just slapped her awake.

"Everything okay?" she asked quickly, sitting up straighter. Setting the book aside. Her eyes a bit rounder.

"I did something very stupid," I whispered, breathless. "And I'm about to do something even worse."

She raised a brow. "Okay... Start talking."

I hesitated—then collapsed onto the bed beside her.

"It's Andre."

Her eyes lit up like a matchstick. "The guard?"

I nodded, groaning. "I kissed him. Again."

She furrowed her brows, "what do you mean again."

I quickly explained the one night stand we had before continuing. A devious smile grew on her face as i did.

"And before that he was touching me, and saying things and now I can't think—"

Winona started laughing.

"It's not funny!"

She tried to cover her mouth but failed, her shoulders shaking. "You've been through so much. Honestly? You deserve a little fun where you can get it."

I gawked. "He's not fun."

"Oh, no. He's dangerous, apparently. Which explains the way you ran in here."

I shoved her playfully. "Shut up."

Winona grinned, then softened. "He's on our security detail for life. And so are you. So maybe don't hate yourself for wanting someone who's... close."

"Is that what you tell yourself about Warren?"

Her smile faltered for a second. "Warren and I... are complicated."

I snorted. "So are Andre and I. Complicated. And very inappropriate."

"I mean, let's be real," she said. "We're both a mess. But at least your mess didn't lie to you about his job and has a voice that sounds like a problem."

I blushed hard. "You noticed that too?"

"I'm pregnant, Sierra. Not deaf."

We both laughed. Really laughed.

And for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe.

She looked down at her belly then, rubbing gentle circles.

I was about to ask another question when she gasped softly.

"What?" I asked, sitting up.

She grabbed my wrist and placed my hand on her stomach. "Wait... wait..."

And then—kick.

A soft, surreal little bump beneath my palm.

I stilled.

"Did you feel it?" she whispered.

I nodded, too stunned to speak. "Yeah. I—yeah."

Something caught in my throat. Something warm and aching.

I wanted this.

Not just the baby. But the quiet moment. The belonging.

I looked at her, teary-eyed.

She didn't say anything.

She just held my hand, and we sat there in silence—hearts full, futures unknown, and the world outside waiting to pull us back in.