Chapter Twelve: Between Shadows and Skin

The parking structure was too quiet.

Iris froze beside her car, keys clenched tightly between her fingers. The single overhead light flickered, casting long, warped shadows across the concrete floor. Her breath came shallow as she turned slowly toward the sound.

Footsteps.

Measured. Unhurried.

Her pulse roared in her ears.

“Hello?” she called, hating how small her voice sounded.

No answer.

The footsteps stopped.

Her instincts screamed. Iris took a step back, her heel bumping against the car door. Her phone slipped in her sweaty palm as she unlocked it, thumb hovering over Nathaniel’s name.

A figure stepped out from between the parked cars.

Not Selena.

A man.

Tall. Broad. Dressed casually, but his eyes were sharp, assessing her like she was a problem to be solved.

“You walk fast,” he said lightly.

Iris’s heart slammed. “I don’t know you.”

He smiled. “That’s true. But I know you.”

Fear slid cold down her spine. “Move away from my car.”

“Relax,” he said, raising his hands slightly. “I’m just delivering a message.”

“I’ve had enough messages,” she snapped. “Tell her to leave me alone.”

His smile widened. “Smart girl.”

She swallowed. “Did Selena send you?”

He tilted his head. “Let’s just say you’re causing inconvenience.”

Iris’s chest tightened. “I’m not doing anything wrong.”

“That’s not how this works,” he replied calmly. “You’re close to someone you shouldn’t be close to. That makes you a liability.”

Her hand shook as she finally hit dial.

The man noticed. His expression darkened. “Don’t.”

Too late.

“Nathaniel,” Iris whispered the moment the call connected. “I’m in the parking structure. Someone—”

The man lunged.

A strong hand clamped around her wrist, knocking the phone from her grasp. It skidded across the concrete floor.

“End the call,” he said sharply.

She struggled, panic exploding in her chest. “Let go of me!”

“I warned you,” he hissed.

Then a voice cut through the tension like a blade.

“Get your hands off her.”

The man froze.

Iris’s breath caught.

Nathaniel stood several feet away, his posture calm but deadly, eyes dark with something far more dangerous than anger.

“You picked the wrong person,” Nathaniel continued, stepping closer. “And the wrong hospital.”

The man released Iris instantly and took a step back. “Doctor Hale. Didn’t expect you.”

Nathaniel didn’t look at him. He reached Iris in two strides and placed a hand on her shoulder, steady and grounding.

“Are you hurt?” he asked quietly.

She shook her head, barely breathing.

Nathaniel turned back to the man, his voice dropping. “Leave. Now.”

“You think this ends here?” the man scoffed.

Nathaniel stepped forward, invading his space. “If you come near her again, I will personally make sure you regret it.”

The man studied him for a long moment, then smiled thinly. “You’re already regretting this.”

He walked away, disappearing between the cars.

Only when he was gone did Nathaniel exhale.

Iris’s knees buckled.

Nathaniel caught her immediately, pulling her against his chest. Her face pressed into his coat, his arms firm around her, protective, warm.

She trembled.

“You shouldn’t have been alone,” he murmured, one hand cradling the back of her head. “I told you.”

“I didn’t think” Her voice broke.

He tightened his hold. “I know.”

For a moment, the world shrank to the sound of his heartbeat beneath her ear. Steady. Strong. Real.

“I was so scared,” she whispered.

His jaw tightened. “They crossed a line.”

She pulled back slightly, looking up at him. Their faces were inches apart. His eyes searched hers, lingering, intense.

“You came,” she said softly.

“Always,” he replied without thinking.

The word hung between them.

Something shifted.

His thumb brushed her cheek unconsciously, wiping away a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen. The touch sent heat spiraling through her, sharp and undeniable.

“Nathaniel…” she breathed.

He froze.

The garage felt suddenly too small, too private. His hand stilled, but he didn’t pull away.

“This is dangerous,” he said hoarsely.

“I know,” she replied. “But I can’t pretend anymore.”

His breathing changed. He leaned in just a fraction, forehead almost touching hers.

“Iris,” he warned softly, “if I cross this line…”

“I won’t stop you,” she whispered.

For one suspended second, everything balanced on the edge.

Then sirens echoed faintly in the distance.

Reality crashed back.

Nathaniel stepped away abruptly, running a hand through his hair. “I’m taking you home.”

She nodded, heart pounding.

As they drove, silence filled the car, thick with everything unsaid. When they reached her building, he parked but didn’t turn off the engine.

“This is going to get worse,” he said. “And I won’t let you face it alone.”

She looked at him. “What does that mean?”

He met her gaze, eyes dark and resolute. “It means I’m done pretending this doesn’t matter.”

Her breath caught.

His phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen.

Selena.

His expression hardened.