You’re Safe

Elena’s POV

By the time Allan pulled onto the narrow dirt road leading to my cabin, the adrenaline from the fight had finally begun to wear off. Every bruise I’d ignored inside the cage was starting to make itself known, and my ribs protested every bump in the road. I leaned my head against the passenger window and watched the trees blur past, the familiar forest settling the restless thoughts racing through my mind

“I still feel bad you’re driving all the way out here.” I glanced over at him before looking back at the road stretching ahead of us. “It’s completely out of your way.”

Allan didn’t seem the least bit bothered. One hand rested lazily on the steering wheel while the other drummed lightly against my leg. “It’s only an hour, Elena. I’ll survive.” He flashed me a quick grin before turning his attention back to the road. “Besides, making sure you get home safely is worth losing a little sleep.”

I shook my head, unable to stop myself from smiling. “You’re impossible.”

“So I’ve been told,” he replied with an amused chuckle, and the easy silence that followed settled comfortably between us.

Neither of us felt the need to fill every quiet moment with conversation. We never had.

The headlights swept across the trees until my little cabin appeared between them.

Allan parked beside the porch before climbing out and making his way around the truck. By the time I reached for the door handle, he was already there, offering me his hand.

“There you go, Beautiful.” He helped me down before reaching for my keys. “I’m going to check inside before I leave. It’ll help me sleep tonight.”

I smiled as I placed the keys in his hand. “You know nobody’s waiting in there.”

“Probably not,” he admitted as he unlocked the door. His expression softened just enough for me to see the concern he tried so hard to hide. “Humor me anyway.”

I didn’t argue because I knew exactly what he was worried about. It wasn’t wild animals or some random stranger wandering through the woods. He was afraid someone I’d hacked would eventually trace everything back to me. The thought had crossed my own mind more than once, but I refused to let fear control my life.

A minute later he stepped back onto the porch, twirling my keys around one finger. “Everything looks good.”

“I never doubted you,” I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

He laughed as he handed my keys back. “Maybe you should every once in a while. Makes me feel useful.”

I bumped his shoulder with mine as we walked inside. “Trust me, Allan. You already think you’re important.”

“I know I am.” His laughter filled the little cabin, and before I knew it, I was laughing right along with him.

I walked in and kicked off my shoes near the door, dropped my purse onto the counter, and stretched carefully, feeling every sore muscle complain after the night’s fight.

Allan reached over and took my hand, gently tugging me toward the bedroom. “You’re my girl. The least I can do is keep you company for a while.”

“You know you don’t have to stay,” I said softly to him.

“I know.” His thumb brushed across my knuckles as he looked over at me. “I want to.”

A warmth spread through my chest that had nothing to do with the cabin. I slipped into the bathroom doorway before looking back at him. “Are you hungry? I was thinking pizza.”

He was already flipping through television channels without much interest. “Way ahead of you. I was planning on throwing one in the oven.”

I laughed. “I swear you’re getting predictable.”

He glanced over his shoulder with that crooked grin I knew so well. “I’d rather be dependable.”

I rolled my eyes, still smiling as I disappeared into the bathroom. The hot water felt incredible against my aching body. Sweat, dirt, and dried blood disappeared down the drain while the heat slowly loosened muscles I hadn’t realized were so tight.

A soft knock sounded against the door. “You sure you don’t need company in there?”

I laughed loud enough for him to hear me over the running water. “You missed your chance by about five minutes.”

“That’s unfortunate,” he replied dramatically. “My timing needs some work.”

“It definitely does.” Still smiling, I finished my shower before wrapping a towel around myself and stepping back into the bedroom.

Water dripped from my hair onto my shoulders as I rubbed it with another towel. Allan looked up from the television and held out his hand. “Come here.”

Without thinking twice, I walked over to him. He took the towel from my hands and gently started drying my hair. “You spoil me,” I said, smiling up at him.

“I do,” he admitted.

“I was hoping you’d deny it.”

His quiet laugh answered before he did. “Not a chance.”

I couldn’t help smiling as he finished drying my hair. By the time we carried the pizza into the bedroom, an old black-and-white horror movie had taken over the television. We settled against the headboard with our plates balanced on our laps, paying far more attention to each other than the movie. The monster shuffled across the screen looking more ridiculous than frightening.

I snorted around a bite of pizza. “I’ve seen squirrels that were scarier than that.”

Allan laughed so hard he nearly choked before pointing at the television. “I think the squirrel would’ve won.” His laughter was contagious, and soon I was laughing just as hard while another overdramatic scream echoed from the television.

The movie continued playing in the background while we talked about everything and nothing at all. We bounced from Lyra to the fights, from work to random memories that somehow turned into stories neither of us had told before. Hours slipped away without either of us noticing.

As much as I enjoyed nights like this, something felt different. Allan had always been protective. He’d always looked after me. He’d always called me Baby Girl. Tonight there was something softer in the way he looked at me, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. Maybe I was imagining it. Maybe I was simply exhausted after everything that had happened.

The memory of him kissing my ear at the arena flashed through my mind again, and heat crept into my cheeks. I’d completely forgotten how to breathe for a second when he’d done it.

I rested my head against his shoulder and yawned. “You should probably head home before you fall asleep here.”

He looked down at me with an easy smile. “I don’t really feel like driving an hour back tonight.” He shrugged casually before slipping an arm around my shoulders. “Truth is, I like being here.”

I smiled. “Convenient excuse.”

“It can be two things.”

I couldn’t argue with that. A few minutes later he stretched out on the bed before patting the mattress in front of him. I slipped beneath the blankets, and he settled in behind me, his chest warm against my back as his arms wrapped gently around my waist. I relaxed immediately.

“Thank you, Allan,” My voice only above a whisper.

His lips brushed softly against the back of my head. “Get some sleep, Baby Girl.” His voice was low and reassuring. “You’re safe. I’m here, and I’ll never let anyone hurt you.”