Chapter 22

TWENTY-TWO

As the door shut behind William, Emma couldn't help the smile slipping over her lips. She turned toward the window, leaning her forehead against the cool glass and closing her eyes for a moment, relishing in the peace she'd been so fortunate to find.

The warmth from William's touch still lingered, a reminder of the way she'd felt when he kissed her.

Emma couldn't believe her luck. In this world where horrors lurked around every corner and danger was the only certainty, she had stumbled upon a group of men who were not only willing to protect her but also seemed genuinely concerned for her safety. Their camaraderie was palpable, and they moved together like a well-oiled machine.

A machine that now includes you in the most amazing way possible.

She needed some time to herself after that unexpected turn of events, to process the feelings that swirled inside her like a whirlwind. Her heart felt full, heavy, and light all at once.

"Emma?" Liam's voice was followed by Ranger's bark. "Are you ready? "

A part of her had expected him to tell her he needed to talk to her, so this was a welcome reprieve.

You fell for him first , she thought with a smirk.

From the minute Liam had touched her hand, she'd known she was doomed to be smitten with him. He was handsome, but it was his smile and the way he'd made her feel—safe—that caught her attention.

"Emma? I'm going to come in." The door opened a second later, and she stared at Liam. "Oh, thank god," he sighed leaning against the doorframe. "Go on, Ranger. She's good."

"Sorry, I'm a little . . ." She had no idea what the right word for what she was. "Happy to see you."

He moved to her then, his arms wrapped around her waist as his lips covered hers.

Emma responded with a sigh and kissed him back, feeling at ease knowing that it was okay, it was expected that she be with these men the way she seemed to want to be.

When he pulled back, he laid his forehead on hers. "I cannot tell you how long I've wanted to do that."

"I have no complaints."

Ranger rushed between them, jumping up with a gleeful bark.

"Okay, okay, she's yours." Liam stepped away with a grin. "We need to get going. With the change of things . . . well, it's going to make when we get to D.C. a little harder because now that we know your feelings, we're not going to just take you to the haven and walk away."

The world seemed to slow at the words. She'd known she wanted that, and Alex hinted at it last night, but she hadn't realized it was something they could do.

Nodding slowly, she allowed herself a moment longer with Liam until reality snapped back into focus when Ranger barked loudly while prancing around playfully trying to get their attention again .

"Alright, alright," Liam laughed, leaning down and picking up the dog like he was a pup. "Come out soon, we're ready. Chris woke us early."

Nodding, Emma grabbed the backpack off the bed. It was all she had outside of Ranger. And them.

A dizziness swirled through Emma when she took a step. Everything was happening so fast.

"Chris?" She sat on the bed and called out.

He was there in a flash as if he'd been waiting outside the door.

"Are you okay?" he sat beside her on the bed and his hand immediately went to rub circles on her back.

"I know I've asked for things a million times, and you're all risking everything to help me, but I need a little time alone."

He frowned. "With what we're preparing to do, we need to get to D.C. sooner rather than later. We're a day out."

"I understand. Could I maybe walk for thirty minutes?"

He was quiet, and Emma knew that meant all the strategic wheels in his head were turning. She admired how he seemed to put himself last, but hoped he would stop doing that once their mission was done.

"Okay." he nodded with a small, almost forced-looking, smile. "I'll stay in the truck and drive like I'm a turtle. I want you walking in front of me with at least Bash and Liam behind you."

"You're that worried?"

"This close to D.C. people are a lot more desperate to get safety. You walking alone will be a fucking beacon. I don't like it, but I don't have to like everything. You're not a prisoner. You never were."

Setting her hand over Chris's she smiled. "Thank you. I just need some time with my thoughts and it gets a little loud in the truck. "

"A little? Why do you think I'm always driving?" Chuckling, he stood and offered her his hand. "The future is waiting."

When her hand slipped in his, she loved the way it enveloped her hand. She let him gently tug her up and out of the room.

"Change of plans," Chris called out the front door. "Emma needs some breathing room, but I'd rather slow progress than none. Bash, Liam, you're going to walk behind her."

Emma met Bash's gaze and couldn't help but notice the way he looked at her. The gruff indifference was gone, replaced with a light she never thought she'd see in him.

They're so alike , Emma thought as she looked between Chris and Bash. The only difference was Chris never put up a front to push her away.

Chris gave her an encouraging smile before walking out to climb into the driver's seat. William and Alex each offered her a smile and followed him out.

Bash, Liam, and Ranger were left behind in the house with her.

"You head out. I'm in charge of locking this place up." Liam passed her Ranger's leash. "He doesn't really need it, but better safe than sorry if he gets spooked. It seems louder here than on the West Coast."

She took the leash, remembering the last time she'd strapped him on a leash to do something grand—the day of the explosions. Emma closed her eyes and pushed the thoughts back. Now was not the time.

"You okay, Emma?" Bash asked, his voice low and gentle.

She nodded, feeling self-conscious under his intense gaze. There was something about him that made her feel exposed and vulnerable.

"Just needed some fresh air," she replied, avoiding his eyes.

"Let's go for a walk then," he said with a small smile, gesturing for her to lead the way .

Emma hesitated for a moment before leaving the house and staring at the road. It was empty, barren like everything else. And the perfect place to cool the thoughts in her head.

With a glance at Ranger, she started walking them down the road. Emma relished the warmth of the sun as it kissed her skin, and she lifted her arms up high to stretch them out. With Ranger trotting happily beside her, she did something she hadn't done in years—took a walk outside without fear.

The wind brushed against them, rustling her clothes and tousling her curls, while jingling the connection for Ranger's leash. The faint hum of the engine was the only sign she had that Chris and the others in the truck were nearby.

She lifted her face to the sky, closing her eyes as she breathed in deeply, savoring the taste of freedom. The sound of Ranger's paws hitting the pavement echoed in her ears.

Walking didn't bring the serenity she hoped for, but it did bring thoughts of the men in her life. Emma's mind drifted back again and again toChris's gentle yet firm commands. Liam's soft whispers guiding her through uncharted territories. William's reassuring hand on her back whenever necessary. Bash's gruff exterior hiding a painful past filled with regrets mirroring hers. Alex teasing smile and playful banter sparking up hope within her soul that hadn't felt it for so long.

The further she walked, the more the thoughts continued, guiding her down the path of acceptance that while unconventional, she belonged with these five men.

She thought aboutChris's strong arms around her last night, bringing her to pleasure she'd never known. Of Liam's gentle smile that always made her heart skip a beat. William's quiet determination to keep them all safe. Bash's rare but stunning smile and the protection she felt when his arms took her in his. Of Alex's cocky smirk that could melt even the coldest heart.

They were all so different, yet so alike— bound together by their shared experiences and loss. They filled something inside of her that had been missing for years since that fateful day when everything changed forever.

She wasn't certain how long she walked, but she couldn't hear the truck. A quick glance resulted in a wave from Liam and a nod from Bash. Chris and the others were out of sight, but she imagined it was because of how slow he had to drive to keep his distance.

Emma didn't need thirty minutes alone. She didn't even need two more minutes. She'd spent two years alone. Her heart was set, and her mind was at ease. When they got to D.C., she was staying with these men.

They had formed an unbreakable bond out of necessity, but there was something more than just friendship blossoming between them now. It scared her sometimes—this intense connection that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day. But it also filled her with hope—hope for a future where they could build something beautiful amidst all the ruins.

Emma paused, knowing she would wait for Bash and Liam who could signal Chris to speed up. Ranger had other ideas. Pulling at his lash impatiently, he broke free and into a run ahead of her. She chuckled, realizing the poor pup needed this more than she did.

She followed suit, allowing herself some much-needed release from anxious thoughts running rampant in her head like wild horses on an open plain. As she caught up with him, she saw him sniffing intently at something on the ground.

A soft humming sound filled the air and Emma wondered if Ranger had taken down a bee.

"Silly boy, come on. Let's wait for the others."

A shadow cast in front of her as something came from the side of a house like a cheetah dashing, drawing her eyes up and pulling a scream past her lips.