13. Raven

Chapter 13

Raven

J erome's friends had left, and the buzz was strong, but tonight had been an eye opener. Things were getting tricky. My fingers curled around the banister, the grain of the wood grounding me as I paused mid-step. The gentle hum of Jerome's voice from below reminded me that it wasn't just the structure of the house that held me up—it was the man ensuring its safety.

"Jerome," I called down, voice steady, yet softer than usual. There was vulnerability in this admission of needing someone else.

From his position in the living room, he looked up, meeting my gaze. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, I just..." Words usually came easily, but now they tangled on my tongue. I descended the remaining stairs, coming to stand before him. "I wanted to say thank you. Not just for tonight, for all of it. For being here."

Jerome's posture remained vigilant, though his eyes softened. "It's my job, Raven."

"Maybe so, but you do it with a kind of dedication that's rare." I stepped closer, the distance between us charged with a new electricity. "You're always so composed, so professional. But I see the care behind your actions. It means more to me than you might realize."

"Looking out for you, keeping you safe. It's what I'm here for." Jerome's voice was a low timbre of resolve, yet I detected the faintest hint of something else.

"Still, it's one thing to be hired to protect someone; it's another to actually care whether they feel safe." I folded my arms, hugging myself as if to embrace the newfound security he had given me.

"Good. That's how it should be."

I hesitated, the next thought tiptoeing on the edge of my consciousness. Trusting someone wasn't easy—not when betrayal lurked in shadows, not when every new face could be a potential threat. But looking at Jerome, at the unwavering assurance in his stance, I felt the walls I'd built crumble just a little.

"Before you came along, I thought I could handle everything on my own," I confessed, gaze never leaving his. "But you've shown me that it's okay to rely on someone else. That doesn't make me weak."

"Being able to trust is a strength, Raven. And for what it's worth, I'm glad you're starting to trust me."

"More than starting," I admitted, heart skipping a beat. "I do trust you, Jerome. With my life."

The air between us seemed to shimmer with unspoken understanding, a connection forged through whispered confessions and silent promises.

"Then rest well tonight," Jerome said, the ghost of a smile touching the corners of his mouth. "I'll be here, as always."

"Thank you," I repeated, feeling the gravity of my gratitude resonate within the quiet confines of the house. As I turned to head back upstairs, the night would bring sleep more peaceful than any I'd had in months—all because of who watched over me.