Chapter 60: Every Breath You Take

Lila’s pulse hadn’t slowed since they’d left the airstrip, since Julian had stood there bleeding and smiling like he still had a winning hand, like this wasn’t the end, like there was still more to lose. The car was moving too fast, the tires biting into the pavement as Elias drove them away, but her body was still locked in battle mode, her senses still stretching, still waiting for the next attack. Her sister was slumped against her, her breath shallow, her skin cold, but she was alive. And that should have been enough. But it wasn’t. Because Julian wasn’t dead.

Because his smirk was still burned into her mind. Because she knew, deep in her bones, this wasn’t over. Elias’s fingers flexed against the wheel, his jaw tight, his breath steady but controlled. Too controlled. His silence was dangerous, lethal. Harper’s voice crackled through the radio, sharp and breathless. “I lost visual. Tell me you have her.” Elias exhaled slowly. “She’s with us.” Harper let out something between a curse and a sigh of relief. “And Julian?” Elias didn’t answer. Lila closed her eyes, forcing herself to breathe. “Bleeding. But alive.” Harper cursed. “Damn it. I knew it wouldn’t be that easy.” Elias’s grip on the wheel tightened. “It never is.”

Silence. Then Harper’s voice, low and serious. “How bad is she?” Lila looked down at her sister, at the blood staining her skin, at the slow, unsteady rise and fall of her chest. “She needs a hospital.” Harper hesitated. “I know a place. It’s off-grid.” Elias nodded once. “Send the coordinates.” Lila pressed a hand against her sister’s forehead, swallowing the panic rising in her throat. She would live. She had to live. Elias reached over, gripping her knee, grounding her. “She’s going to make it.” Lila exhaled shakily, leaning into his touch. “She better.” Elias’s hand tightened. “She will.”

The safe house was small, hidden in the outskirts, surrounded by trees and silence. The kind of place that didn’t exist on maps. The kind of place only ghosts knew about. Elias carried Lila’s sister inside, barely flinching at the weight, his muscles flexing, his movements steady. Lila followed, her pulse still racing, her body still locked in the storm of adrenaline. The doctor was waiting an older woman with sharp eyes and steady hands. No questions. No hesitation. She took one look at them, at the blood, at the way Elias held the girl against his chest like she was made of glass, and she nodded. “Lay her down.” Elias moved carefully, placing her on the makeshift bed, stepping back as the doctor immediately got to work. Lila couldn’t move. She just stood there, watching, waiting, her hands still curled into fists. Elias exhaled and reached for her, pulling her away, guiding her outside, away from the smell of antiseptic and blood, away from the chaos still lingering in her veins. The night air was cold, sharp against her skin. Elias didn’t let go of her wrist.

Lila swallowed hard. “I should” Elias turned her toward him, his hands sliding to her waist, his grip firm, unyielding. “She’s safe. You’re safe.” Lila exhaled slowly. “I don’t feel safe.” Elias leaned in, his breath warm against her temple. “Because you don’t trust it.”

Lila closed her eyes. “Because it’s not over.” Elias was silent for a long moment. Then“ It will be.” Lila tilted her head back, meeting his gaze. Dark. Unforgiving. Possessive. “How can you be so sure?” Elias lifted a hand, brushing a thumb against her cheek, his touch softer than it should have been. “Because I’m going to kill him.” Lila’s breath caught. Not because of what he said. But because she believed him. He leaned in, lips brushing against her forehead, slow, reverent. “No more running. No more waiting. We end it.” Lila exhaled sharply, her fingers gripping his shirt, pulling him closer, needing him closer. His hands slid lower, curling around her hips, his grip tightening. “You’re shaking.” Lila’s eyes darkened. “So make me stop.” Elias inhaled sharply. “Lila.”

She leaned in, her lips barely grazing his, teasing, taunting. “Make me stop thinking about him. About what happens next. Make me forget. Just for a little while.” Elias growled, low, dangerous. Then he kissed her. Hard. Deep. Possessive. Lila gasped against his mouth, but she didn’t pull away. She melted. Her body pressed into his, her arms wrapping around his neck, her nails scraping against his skin, pulling, taking, claiming.

Elias groaned, his hands sliding under her shirt, gripping her waist, dragging her against him, letting her feel just how much he needed her. She whimpered into his mouth, her breath sharp, uneven. “Elias” He bit her lip, silencing her, his grip tightening. “I’ve got you.” Lila exhaled shakily, her forehead pressing against his. “Don’t let go.” Elias’s hands slid lower, gripping her thighs, lifting her, pinning her against the nearest wall. “Never.” She gasped, wrapping her legs around him, pulling him deeper into her, her fingers tangling in his hair, anchoring herself to him.

Elias’s breath was ragged, his lips tracing along her jaw, down her throat. “You drive me insane.” Lila tilted her head back, baring more of her neck to him, her pulse wild beneath his mouth. “Good.” Elias growled. “You have no idea what you do to me.” Lila smirked, gasping as his teeth scraped against her skin. “Show me.” And he did. Again. And again. And again. The room was silent except for their breathing. Lila lay against his chest, her fingers tracing slow patterns against his skin. Elias’s arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her close, his grip still firm. Like he wasn’t ready to let go. Like he never would be. She exhaled slowly, pressing a soft kiss against his shoulder. Elias’s fingers slid through her hair, his voice low. “You okay?” Lila sighed. “No.” Elias smirked. “Honest.” She traced a scar on his abdomen, her fingers featherlight. “We’re still in the middle of this war. I can’t let my guard down.” Elias rolled, pinning her beneath him again, his lips barely an inch from hers. “Then don’t.” Lila’s breath hitched. “Elias”

He kissed her, slow and deep. “Just let me hold you.” She exhaled against his mouth. “Okay.” Elias nodded, his grip tightening. “Get some sleep.” Lila’s fingers curled against his chest. “I love you.” Elias stilled. Lila felt it, the way his breath faltered, the way his grip on her tightened. The words had never come this easy before. But she meant them. She had always meant them. Elias exhaled sharply. Then he kissed her again, slower this time. His lips brushed against her ear. “Say it again.” Lila smiled, her fingers curling in his hair. “I love you.” Elias’s breath shook. “One more time.” Lila smirked. “You just like hearing it.” Elias growled, his lips teasing along her jaw. “Damn right I do.” She laughed softly, pressing closer, letting herself have this moment. Then a knock at the door. Harper’s voice. “We have a problem.” Elias sighed against her skin, pressing one last kiss to her lips. Then he pulled away, reaching for his gun. Lila closed her eyes. Of course, it wasn’t over.