Page 35 of Relentless Touch

Kevin sat on the couch under two blankets, the TV playing some rerun of an ancient sitcom. He looked up when Rio entered, and the worry in his eyes was obvious, even if he tried to hide it.

No one said anything at first. Kevin watched Rio, like he needed to be sure he was really there and breathing.

Rio started for the hallway, but Kevin caught the blood. “You okay?” His voice cracked.

“Not mine.” Rio tossed his jacket aside, closing the distance between them. “Izan’s gone. He’s not coming back.”

Kevin blinked slowly, the news sinking in. He gripped the edge of the blanket, knuckles white. “It’s over?”

Rio nodded, sitting next to him. “I will eliminate anyone who threatens you.”

Kevin let out a breath, all the air leaving him at once. He let go of the blanket and leaned against Rio’s shoulder.

Rio felt the tremor in Kevin’s arms, not from fear but sheer exhaustion.

“I kept thinking you’d end up in a ditch,” Kevin said into his shoulder. “Or that he’d show up here with his men.”

“He was alone. Guys like that always end up alone.”

The silence thickened, but not in a bad way. Kevin’s tension leaked away slowly as he began to relax.

Rio reached over and found Kevin’s hand, squeezing until he felt the warmth seep through.

“You’re safe,” Rio said, and for the first time, he believed it. He knew it to his bones.

Kevin closed his eyes, only for a second, but when he opened them, he looked lighter. Like something had let go inside of him.

“Does this mean I can have another one of those steak sandwiches?” Kevin asked. He sounded almost normal. The flicker of humor in his voice melted something inside Rio.

“I’ve created a steak monster.”

Kevin smiled. Real this time. He leaned in, warm and alive, head tucked just at Rio’s jawline.

“It’s really over?” He said it so softly Rio almost didn’t catch it.

“No one’s coming for you. Not now. Not ever.”

Kevin sat there a minute longer then made a noise like he wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. He didn’t let go of Rio’s hand.

He listened to Kevin’s breathing slow down. Outside, the rain went quiet. There were no more threats in the dark.

Pressing his lips to Kevin’s hair, Rio breathed in the scent of mate and safety and their ugly-beautiful brand of domestic chaos.

This was what he’d fought for. This was what it meant to bring someone home and keep him.

Kevin’s head tipped up, his eyes shining even under the room’s dim light. “I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you too,” Rio said. “Always.”

Kevin smiled, like he’d just won the lottery.

Later, in the dark, Rio watched Kevin sleep and watched the tension bleed out of him. Rio had never been more grateful that an impala had crashed into his life.

THE END