Chapter 28. You Don't Always Get What You Want

S:

She’s trembling.

I see it in her fists, her jaw, her eyes. She’s furious—but beneath that rage is something far worse.

She’s terrified.

Before she can take another step away from me, I close the distance and scoop her into my arms.

“No—S, let me go—!”

She thrashes, weakly. Her body jerks against mine but I hold her tighter. Her voice is hoarse, worn from screaming. “Put me down!”

“You can scream all you want,” I say, low in her ear, “but you’re hurt, and I’m not letting you collapse out here.”

She shoves at my chest. “I don’t want your help!”

“And I don’t want to see you bleeding,” I growl. “You don’t always get what you want.”

She surrenders. She doesn’t say a word as I make her comfortable into my arms. She doesn’t fight me anymore, doesn’t protest. That alone is enough to gut me.

She’s trembling, small in my arms, and her silence screams louder than any plea for help. Her skin is cold, but her cheek burns where