ver Brooklyn. Thunder rattled the windowpanes, fol

d from the floor above, ac

n seconds. He pushed ope

tight to her chest. She was shaking violently, hands clamped over her ears, flinc

ped down

" he sai

atching the back of his left hand and leaving thre

dn't pu

his chest. He placed his large palms firmly over her ears, muffling the

rhythmic anchor against her ear. "I'm

peating the words in a

f his breathing broke through the fog of her panic. Her trembling

er breathing deepened

her shoulders. He didn't leave. Pulling a chair to the bedside, he sat watching over

e room was bright. T

coffee and bacon drif

led on a sweater, and wa

ron skillet. He wore a simple grey t-shirt t

ft hand, noticing the three red

ruz... your hand. Did I do th

in front of her. "I've had worse scrapes handling

sharp, rapid knocking so

urried t

in a sharp tailored blazer and designer

Kourtney pushed past her into the

z, who was leaning against the

in a hushed whisper. "That's him? The construction worker? Alayna

d back. "And Mitchell was about to freeze

oftening slightly. She marched into the kit

r and her family. I drafted that prenup. If you take advan

rely relaxed. "I read the terms, counselor. Complete s

y his calm composure. She turned to Alayna, pulled a black Ame

ut Mitchell's legal maneuverings," Kourtney said, checking her watch.

rp buzz sounded from the i

ayna had ordered online that morning. Alayna signed for the two brown bags

d. The terminal beeped twic

redit card and swipe

. Mitchell had locked every perso

he counter. Every fiber of her pride rebelled against relying on cha

large, calloused hand gently settled over hers,

ey clip from his pocket, and handed three twenty

d thanks and hurr

r and turned back to Alayna, hi

ther," he said quietly. "You don't need