Goldie was standing beside the bed, frowning as she stared at her sister like she was trying to figure out if there was anything else she could splint or bandage orsomething.Rok was still there as well. He would not leave their side again until it was certain they were safe. He had sat down in a corner, one leg up, the other flat, watching them with a deceptively easy grin. Rok would be up and over in an instant if something threatened the females.
Rok didn’t like killing people. But, unlike Sway, he didn’t actually mind fighting. And he was lethal when appropriately motivated. Like needing to protect someone.
He was kind; he wasn’t soft.
Tanin gave him a simple nod of acknowledgment as he reached Garnet’s side. Approving of his decision to take a post near them until-
Garnet threw her arms around Tanin’s waist. Squeezing him close. Resting her chin on his chest. He knew her arms had been open like she wanted a hug, but he hadn’t actually expected her to hug him. The surprise made him stiffen for just a moment as he looked down at her.
She smiled, grinning like she knew exactly what he was thinking.
There was bruising on her scalp as well. Mostly hidden by her hair, but he could see the discoloration in the brighter skin visible through the part down the top of her head.
His arm went around her as well. Holding her back as her arms tightened further, humming in contentment for having him there.
She was shaking.
It wasn’t obvious. Her entire body was tense like she was trying to hide it, but he could feel the small vibration now that she was pressed up against him.
She was still afraid. Still affected by the attack. But she was attempting to conceal that fact from her sister who hovered nearby, obviously not fully believing her.
But as Tanin returned her embrace, his hand traveling up and down her back, petting her gently, he felt her starting to relax. Some of that tension ebbing out of her. She turned her head, resting against his chest with her eyes clenched tightly closed.
Comfortable.
Safe.
She felt safe with him. It didn’t matter to her that Rok was in the corner. That they were locked in the ship. She hadn’t felt secure until Tanin returned to her side.
The rush of pleasure and purpose that swept over Tanin at that moment was staggering. It hit so hard, he nearly stumbled even from standing.
Because Garnet feltsafewith him. She couldn’t relax until she was holding him. After something like that, it wasn’t Rok – who was far larger and stronger – that she got the most comfort from. It wasTaninshe reached for. It wasTaninthat she needed. When he appeared and she opened her arms, it wasn’t her acting happy and okay for her sister, she genuinely needed him.
And that was… unexpected. And new.
And he liked it.
Hereallyliked it.
Tanin wasn’t used to being needed as a safe place. His mother never looked to him that way. When he was young,shewashissafe place, but even that wasn’t guaranteed. She was always lost in her grief about his father or her own despair at the direction her life had taken. Her misery didn’t leave room for him, so he didn’t rely on her often when he was little and almost never as he got older.
His crew looked for leadership, not safety. If he tried to hug them and offer them a place of comfort in that way, it would be awkward at best or lead to violence at worst.
But Garnet held him so sweetly. So tightly. Like she was never going to let go. Her body relaxed into his side as she let out a long, shuddering breath.
Tanin looked up again, catching Goldie’s eye. She gave him a grateful smile as though she noticed it too. And she wasn’t displeased at their closeness. Because she might not seek him out for safety and reassurance, but Goldie trusted him too. Enough to let him hold her sister, the one she’d given up her entire world to make happy.
It was incredible that anyone would trust and rely on him this much.
But having it felt like holding a precious treasure, priceless and fragile. And, like the female in his arms, he was determined to protect it.
Chapter 24
Garnet
Okay, maybe a surprise party for a group of hardened former-criminals wasn’t a great idea.
Garnet and Goldie wanted to thank the guys for helping them the other day. And every day after. Garnet now knew the meaning of the phrase ‘circle the wagons’.
