Chapter 29: Nate

The moment Riley left, I settled into the bed, pulling Sofia close, careful not to wake her. She shifted a little, letting out a soft sigh, and I felt my chest tighten. It still felt strange to hold her like this, to feel her warmth against me. But it wasn’t uncomfortable. No, it was the opposite. This felt... right. Natural, even.

I lay there, listening to the sound of her breathing, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. Sofia had a way of softening the edges, of making things that usually felt harsh and unforgiving seem manageable. I’d always prided myself on being composed, keeping my emotions in check. But with her, I couldn’t help it. I wanted to protect her, to be close to her, even though I knew it complicated things.

I thought back to the first time I saw her, cornered by those drunk idiots. I’d reacted without thinking, my body moving on instinct to protect her. It wasn’t something I could explain to the guys—it was a gut feeling, something primal that I couldn’t ignore. Now, holding her like this, I understood why. She wasn’t just some girl we’d taken in for leverage. She’d become something more, someone worth fighting for.

As the night wore on, she shifted closer, tucking her head under my chin, and I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling of her in my arms. I didn’t fall asleep right away, though. I lay there, thoughts drifting as I tried to make sense of it all. She’d only been with us for a short time, but already she’d managed to get under my skin, to break through the walls I’d spent years building up. I wasn’t sure how to feel about that, but I knew one thing for sure: I wasn’t letting anyone else near her. The guys and I had come to an agreement, but if anyone else tried to get close, they’d have to go through me.

The next morning, Sofia stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she looked up at me, confused at first. I watched as realization dawned on her, a blush creeping up her cheeks. She tried to pull away, but I held her gently, my hand on her back.

“It’s alright,” I murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “You’re safe here.”

She relaxed, a small smile breaking through her initial shyness. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

She sat up slowly, wincing a little as she stretched, and I noticed her rubbing her shoulder. “You okay?” I asked, concern flickering in my chest.

She nodded, giving me a reassuring smile. “Just a bit sore. I think all the excitement from last night caught up with me.”

I got up, offering her a hand. “Let’s get you something to eat. The guys are probably already up by now.”

We made our way to the kitchen, where Leo was at the stove, stirring a pan of scrambled eggs. Riley was at the counter, sipping his coffee, and Danny was leaning against the fridge, looking half-asleep. They all perked up when Sofia and I walked in, and I could see the way their eyes softened when they looked at her. It was subtle, but it was there—a hint of protectiveness, a spark of something more.

“Good morning,” Sofia said, her voice a little stronger now. She gave them each a small smile, and I saw Leo’s face light up as he handed her a plate.

“Morning,” he replied, his tone warm. “Sleep well?”

She nodded, taking a seat at the table. “Yeah, I did. Thanks.”

The guys and I settled in around the table, each of us sneaking glances at her as she ate. It was strange, this feeling of camaraderie, of shared purpose. I knew we’d all come to the same conclusion—Sofia was more than just a guest here. She was ours to protect, and we’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.

As the morning passed, we fell into an easy routine. Leo took charge of cleaning up, Riley made sure she had everything she needed, and Danny kept her laughing with his dry humor. I found myself watching from a distance, taking in the way she interacted with each of them, the way her smile brightened whenever one of us did something to make her feel at home.

Around midday, Sofia decided to go for a walk around the property, and I volunteered to go with her. She seemed surprised at first, but then she gave me a small nod, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

We walked in comfortable silence, the crisp air and the quiet surroundings giving us a sense of peace. I noticed the way she looked around, taking in the trees, the open fields, and the faint sound of birds in the distance. She seemed more at ease out here, away from the confines of the house, and I found myself grateful for the chance to be alone with her, to show her a part of the world that felt safe.

After a while, she turned to me, her eyes searching mine. “Can I ask you something, Nate?”

I nodded, meeting her gaze. “Anything.”

“Why are you all doing this? I mean, you could have just… you know, used me for what you needed and let me go. But instead, you’re here, protecting me. Why?”

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “It’s not that simple, Sofia. When we first brought you here, yeah, it was about leverage. But then… things changed. You’re not just some bargaining chip anymore. You’re part of this, part of us. And we’re not about to let anything happen to you.”

She looked away, her brow furrowed as she processed my words. “But… you don’t even know me. I’m just some girl who got caught up in something she didn’t understand.”

“Maybe,” I said, stepping closer to her. “But you’re our girl now. And we take care of our own.”

She glanced back at me, her expression softening. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice filled with a vulnerability that made my chest ache.

We headed back to the house, and I could tell she was lost in thought. I didn’t push her, just walked by her side, offering silent support. When we got back, the guys were waiting, each of them giving her a reassuring smile as she settled back into the living room.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of quiet moments and shared glances. I watched as she moved around the house, interacting with each of us in her own way, and I felt a sense of contentment that I hadn’t felt in years. She was bringing something into our lives that we hadn’t even known we were missing—a sense of purpose, a reason to fight for something other than ourselves.

As evening approached, she mentioned wanting to cook again, and we all jumped at the chance to help. She gave us little tasks, like chopping vegetables and stirring sauces, and it felt like we were a team, working together to create something that was more than just a meal. It was a way of connecting, of building something together that was real and tangible.

When dinner was ready, we all sat around the table, savoring the food and the company. She seemed more at ease now, her laughter coming more easily, her smiles brighter. And as I watched her, I realized that this was what I wanted—to see her happy, to give her a life that was free from fear and pain.

After dinner, we gathered in the living room, the soft glow of the fire casting a warm light over everything. She pulled out her book again, and we all settled in around her, listening as she read. Her voice was soothing, and I felt myself getting lost in the rhythm of her words, the way she brought the story to life.

At some point, I noticed her eyes growing heavy, her voice trailing off as she fought to stay awake. I reached out, taking the book from her hands and setting it aside. She looked up at me, her expression a mix of gratitude and exhaustion.

“Time for bed,” I murmured, guiding her to her feet.

She didn’t protest, just leaned into me as I led her back to her room. I tucked her in, pulling the blankets up around her, and as I turned to leave, I felt her hand on my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

“Nate?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I turned back to her, my heart pounding in my chest. “Yeah?”

“Will you stay? Just for a little while?”

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded, slipping under the covers beside her. She curled up against me, her head resting on my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close. For a long time, we lay there in silence, the only sound the steady beat of our hearts.

And as I closed my eyes, I knew that I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe, to protect her from the world and all its dangers. Because she was more than just a girl to me now. She was ours, and we were hers. And nothing was going to change that.