Roselyn's fingers were still curled into Rowan's shirt when a faint sound sliced through the silence—
A soft click.Metal against metal.
Rowan stiffened instantly.
His head turned toward the far end of the hallway. His eyes sharpened, body shifting from lover to soldier in a single breath.
Roselyn felt it too—that pulse of danger crushing her lungs.Her gift hummed beneath her skin, vibrating like static.
"Rowan," she whispered, "someone's here."
He didn't deny it.
Instead, he stepped in front of her, subtly shielding her with his body.
"Go inside," he murmured. "Lock your door."
But Roselyn grabbed his wrist, trembling.
"No. Last time I let you walk away alone… I ended up on that ship."
Her voice cracked.
Rowan swallowed hard—but didn't look away.
"You're not losing me," he said quietly. "Not tonight. Not ever."
Footsteps echoed.Slow. Heavy. Deliberate.
A man turned the corner—black jacket, cap pulled low, face partially hidden.He pretended to check a phone, but Rowan caught the bulge under his sleeve—a concealed weapon.
The man's gaze flicked toward Roselyn's door.
Rowan reacted before the stranger even fully looked up.
He pressed Roselyn back into her apartment doorway.
"Inside. Now."
"But—"
He cupped her cheek briefly—a soft touch anchored by urgency.
"Trust me."
Her heart pounded, but she stepped inside. The moment the door clicked shut, Rowan's entire expression turned lethal.
He walked toward the stranger casually—hands loose, posture relaxed, like any man taking a late-night stroll.
But his eyes—
Cold steel.
Predator sharp.
The stranger lifted his head.
Their eyes met.
A beat of silence.
Then Rowan spoke, voice low enough for only the man to hear.
"You're far from home."
The man smiled slowly.
"You too, Captain Hale."
Roselyn pressed her ear to her door.
She couldn't make out the words, but she could feel the tension—that sharp pull in her chest whenever danger was near.
Her gift was screaming.
She backed away, panic rising—until—
A loud crash shook the hallway.
She darted back and yanked the door open.
Rowan shoved the stranger against the wall, forearm pressed against his throat. The man struggled, reaching for a concealed blade, but Rowan twisted his wrist with a crack.
"Who sent you?" Rowan growled.
The man spat blood.
"You already know."
"Rambo," Rowan hissed.
The stranger smirked."You can't protect her. Not this time."
Rowan slammed him harder.
Roselyn gasped. "Rowan, stop—!"
The man's laugh cut through the tension.
"You think we came for her tonight? No. We were sent to confirm she's here."
Roselyn froze, blood running cold.
"And now," the man whispered, "we have confirmation."
Before Rowan could react, the stranger slammed his head back against the wall—crack!Rowan staggered for half a second.
It was enough.
The man bolted down the stairs.
Rowan lunged forward, ready to chase—but Roselyn grabbed his arm from behind.
"No! It's a trap—he's leading you out!"
Her voice shook with certainty—her gift warning her, burning through her veins.
Rowan halted.
He knew she was right.
He turned back to her, chest rising with adrenaline and fury.
"They know where you live," he said. "We have to move you. Tonight."
Roselyn's eyes widened.Her breath trembled.
"My life… it's repeating again."
He cupped her face gently, forcing her to meet his eyes.
"No," Rowan said softly, firmly. "This time, I'm here. And I'm not letting them take you."
Her lashes trembled.
"And if they try?"
Rowan stepped closer, his voice a vow.
"Then they'll have to get through me."
The hallway lights flickered, as if echoing his promise.
Outside the building—
Across the street—
A dark car idled quietly.
Inside, a man lifted a phone to his ear.
"…Yes, sir. The subject is confirmed."
A cold, familiar voice answered on the other end.
Rambo.
"Good," Rambo murmured. "Then bring her back.We're not done with her yet."
The car pulled away into the night.