Chapter 190
Chapter 190:
He stared at the imprint on his palm, lips tugging slightly. “Didn’t think you had that in you. Fierce little cat, aren’t you p>
Without fuss, he took some gauze and cleaned the wound like it was second nature. Rylie glanced at the mark, brows knitting. “Shouldn’t you clean that properly p>
Brad dropped the tweezers into the tray. The sharp clink echoed. Looking up, he met her gaze with a teasing glint. “Clean what p>
She tilted her head, one brow raised. “Are you immune to pain or just pretending p>
Brad laughed low, pushing up his sleeve. The bite stood out clearly against his pale wrist, outlined in dark, dried blood.
With slow intent, he traced the edge of the wound. His voice softened, heavy with a strange warmth. “Soldiers collect marks all the time. This one feels right p>
Rylie let out a short laugh. “And you earned it by getting bitten p>
He didn’t reply. Instead, his fingers found her hair, gently brushing it aside.
Rylie caught the meaning beneath his words but gave no answer to it.
He wasn’t rushing her. Age had given him that kind of patience.
Whether the world judged it or not, he wasn’t the sort to be hurried.
Once Rylie was settled into the hospital bed, he straightened and spoke. “Get some rest. I’ll make sure every detail from tonight gets looked into p>
Just as he turned for the door, Rylie’s voice cut through the silence. “How’d you even know to come?” Her voice sliced through the room. “You showed up faster than Reid’s own people. Were you following me p>
He paused near the doorway. The light from the hall cut across his features, making every line sharp. “And why would I follow you p>
She studied him as he returned to her bedside. He leaned forward, eyes locked on hers. “Is it because there’s something you haven’t told me that you think so p>
In Eshea, the military code strictly forbade arms deals with foreign buyers. Selling weapons behind closed doors wasn’t just a betrayal—it was a crime.
Step into fiction with gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․𝒸o𝗺
Rylie held her composure, her smile faint. “From where I stand, I’m the surgeon who just saved your life. If something happens to me, you probably wouldn’t live long either. Wouldn’t it make sense for you to keep an eye on me p>
Brad tilted her chin up, his voice low and steady. “No need to worry. You may have your secrets, but didn’t we agree on something p>
He leaned in closer, stopping just short of her lips. Instead of kissing her, he shifted slightly, his mouth brushing her ear. “No matter what happens, I’ll side with you. Your enemies are mine p>
Her heart jumped. The pressure in her chest grew heavier, and her calm demeanor began to shift.
He ran his fingers along her cheek. “But there’s one condition — you don’t turn against the country p>
For a soldier like him, his duty to the nation came first. Everything else, even her, fell outside those lines.
“Of course I won’t. I’m not involved in anything that could endanger the country,” she said with a faint grin. “And why do you think I’d be tangled up in anything like that p>