Behind me, Zeus stirred. Made a noise in his sleep. I looked back at him, my heart like glass underfoot. And in that moment, I knew:
He would never be the same man again.
And neither would I.
---
By seven, I heard him stir.
Zeus walked in, rubbing his temples like he’d just come down from something hard. He looked like the kind of man who ran a crew—sharp gray slacks, sky-blue dress shirt, sleeves rolled up just enough to show the tattoos creeping down his forearms.
That face…
Even after everything, it still hit me. That stupid, dangerous, beautiful face.
He saw me at the desk, eyes bloodshot, and slowed his steps. His whole expression shifted, just for a second.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Nothing. Think I’m gonna take some time off work.”
“You don’t need to work, Sav. I got us.”
His hand reached out to ruffle my hair—this old habit from back when things were simple.
I moved away before he touched me. His hand just… hung there for a moment. Then dropped.
He tried again. “You okay?”
I didn’t answer that. Truth was, I’d been tired for a long time.
---