Obey: 15. After the Storm

The city was quiet now, but Clara didn’t dare let herself believe it was safe. She sat on the chaise in Marcus’s loft, knees drawn to her chest, replaying the events of the night in a haze of adrenaline, exhaustion, and… something else.

Marcus moved silently around her, setting down a tray of water and snacks. Even in the aftermath, he was focused, vigilant, scanning the street below, checking cameras, listening. She watched him, every line of his body taut with control, every movement deliberate.

“You did well tonight,” he said, finally kneeling beside her, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. “Better than I expected.”

Clara shook her head, still trembling. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“You could have,” he murmured. “I just made sure you remembered how strong you already are. How much fire is in you.”

She swallowed hard, realizing she did feel stronger, sharper. Fear and desire had fused into something combustible inside her, and being near