There, She saw Vaughn lying peacefully on the couch.
Relief crashed over her in waves, nearly bringing her to her knees. He was safe. He was right there. Amara’s knees almost buckled as the tension drained from her body, leaving her weak but infinitely grateful.
Vaughn was curled up beside Rowan, his small hand resting gently on Rowan’s arm as if he had instinctively sought comfort in the man who he didn’t know was his father. Rowan, despite the pain he must have been in, lay still, his eyes closed, his face a mixture of exhaustion and calm.
Amara stood there, watching them, her heart aching with a strange mix of emotions. The scene before her was unexpectedly tender, almost serene, in contrast to the chaos of the night before, a contrast to the chaos of her life.
Vaughn looked so peaceful, so safe, nestled against Rowan as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She felt a pang of something she couldn’t quite name.
Amara’s gaze lingered on Rowan, taking in the sight of his bandaged wounds, the blood that had seeped through his shirt, the lines of fatigue etched into his face. Despite it all, there was a sense of calm about him, a quiet strength that had not faltered even in the darkest moments of the night.
She didn’t know what to make of the emotions swirling inside her… gratitude, confusion, love or hatred…
But for now, she was just relieved that Vaughn was safe and right before her.
Quietly, she walked over to the couch and knelt beside it, brushing a gentle hand over Vaughn’s hair. He stirred slightly but didn’t wake, his small face relaxed and content. She pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, her heart swelling with love and relief.
Then, she glanced at Rowan, who seemed to sense her presence even in his sleep. His eyelids fluttered open, revealing those intense eyes that had seen so much. He didn’t say anything, just looked at her with a mixture of exhaustion and something else… something that made her heart skip a beat.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with sincerity.
Rowan gave her a small nod, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly. “Just doing what I promised,” he murmured, his voice rough with fatigue but steady.
Amara felt a lump form in her throat. She wanted to say more, to express the depth of her gratitude, but the words seemed to elude her. Instead, she simply nodded, her eyes locking with his for a long, silent moment that spoke volumes more than words ever could.
Finally, she tore her gaze from Rowan and silently leaned down to pick up Vaughn.
Vaughn stirred slightly in his sleep but didn’t wake, his small body instinctively nestling closer to her.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly, her voice tinged with guilt. “I didn’t know when he came here.”
Rowan, who had been watching her every move, shifted his gaze to Vaughn and then to the empty spot beside him on the couch. “He came right after you fell asleep,” he replied, his voice calm and reassuring.
“Oh,” Amara responded, her voice barely above a whisper. She was caught off guard by how naturally Vaughn had gravitated toward Rowan.
It made her heart ache.
Rowan gave her a slight nod, as if to say there was no need to apologize. “And that’s fine,” he added, his tone gentle, almost protective.
Amara stared at Rowan’s face for a minute, searching for any sign of discomfort or annoyance, but all she saw was understanding. Rowan’s expression was calm, almost serene.
The way he looked at Vaughn, with a softness in his eyes that contrasted with his usually hardened exterior, made Amara’s heart clench.
She shook her head slightly, as if trying to clear her thoughts. There was too much going on inside her mind, too many emotions swirling around that she wasn’t ready to confront. Without another word, she turned and walked towards the bed.
As she settled Vaughn onto the bed, tucking him in carefully, she couldn’t help but glance back at Rowan. He was still watching her, his gaze thoughtful, as if he was trying to understand what was going on in her mind.
Amara turned her attention back to Vaughn, brushing a strand of hair away from his face.
The boy’s breathing was slow and even, his little hand clutching the blanket. She leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, whispering a soft, “Sleep well, baby.”
When she straightened up, she found Rowan’s eyes on her once more. The intensity of his gaze made her feel exposed, as if he could see right through her. It was both unsettling and comforting in a way she didn’t fully understand.
Amara took a seat beside Vaughn, who was still sleeping soundly, his small body curled up under the blanket. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, needing a distraction, something to ground her in the midst of everything. As she turned on the screen, a series of missed calls and messages flashed before her eyes, filling her with a sudden sense of dread.
There were multiple missed calls from Lucas and Nick, which she expected… they were probably worried sick after everything that had happened.
But then she saw another name that made her heart clench with anger… Alessandro…!!!
Seeing his name on the screen brought back the events of the previous night in a rush. She had waited for him, counting on him to come back.. so they could get out of there safely.. but he didn’t show up..
Instead, she had been forced to face the danger alone, with Rowan stepping in to save them. Alessandro’s absence had nearly cost Vaughn his life, and now, seeing his name flashing on her screen, it felt like a slap in her face.
Her eyes darkened, a storm brewing behind them. How dare he call her after what had happened?
The thought of him trying to reach out now, after he had failed them when they needed him most, made her blood boil. Without a second thought, Amara tapped on Alessandro’s name, her fingers moving… She didn’t hesitate as she added his number to blacklist…