SLOANE I was shameless. That was the only honest thing I could say about the sounds coming out of my mouth while Rika kissed my neck, his hands moving over my body with the particular certainty of someone who already knew exactly what they were doing to me. He squeezed me close, so tight it felt like he was trying to pull me inside his own chest, like I was the thing standing between him and something he didn't want to face alone. I didn't care what the reason was. If Rika needed me as a shield against whatever nightmare had torn his skin open in his sleep, he could have me. Every single piece. I'd walked into his room that morning because he hadn't come down for breakfast the day before. He wasn't anywhere visible in the compound. I'd told myself it was just concern, just one pack

