Chapter 224

**Summer's POV**

The moment Ethan closed the guest roomdoor behind me,my legs finally gave out. I collapsed to the floor, my whole body trembling uncontrollably as the adrenaline drained from my system. Those men were dead. Ethan had killed them without hesitation, snapped their necks like it was nothing.And somewhere out there, Brandon was facing the same kind of danger.

The tears I'd been holding back spilled over, my breath coming in short,desperate gasps. My hands wouldn't stop shaking. I wrapped my arms around myself, rocking slightly, trying to pull myself together.

A soft knock on the door made me jump.

"Summer?" Arya's gentle voice called before she pushed the door open.When she spotted me on the floor, her eyes widened in alarm. She rushed over,crouching beside me.

"Summer, are you okay?" she asked, her hand on my shoulder. "Are you hurt? Should I get Dr. Sean for you?"

I quickly wiped at my face, embarrassed to be caught in such a state. "No,I'm fine," I insisted, voice trembling despite my best efforts. "Just... tired.Please don't tell Ethan. I don't need a doctor."

Arya's eyes were full of concern as she helped me to my feet. I wobbled slightly,steadying myself against the bed.

"I just..." I looked down at my clothes, still the same outfit from the party,now rumpled and stained from the night's events. I needed to wash away this night, needed to feel clean again. "Arya, couldI borrow some clothes?

I'd really like to take a shower."

"Of course," she nodded immediately. "The bathroom's right through there.I'll grab you something to wear. Fair warning though-my style might not be exactly your taste."

"Anything's fine," I assured her, already moving toward the bathroom."Thank you."

The guest bathroom was ridiculously luxurious-all marble and chrome with a shower big enough for four people. I caught sight of myself in the mirror and barely recognized the wild-eyed woman staring back.I braced myself against the sink, staring at my trembling hands.

"Get it together, Summer," I whispered to my reflection. "You're okay.Everything's going to be okay."

Rationally, I understood why Ethan had done what he did. Those men were trying to kill us. They were professional assassins. But watching him end their lives so effortlessly, so casually... it was like nothing I'd ever seen outside of movies.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Summer?" Arya called. "I've got some clothes for you. Can I come in?"

"Yeah, come in," I answered, quickly wiping my face again.

Arya slipped in with a neatly folded stack of clothes-a simple t-shirt,yoga pants, and even a set of underwear with the tags still on.

"The underwear's new," she explained quickly, seeing my surprise."Never worn,I promise."

"Thank you," I said sincerely. "This is perfect."

After she left. I turned the shower to the hottest setting I could stand.I stepped under the scalding spray, letting it pound against my skin.washing away the night. I scrubbed every inch of my body, as if I could somehow cleanse myself of the memory of those men's deaths. By the time I finally turned off the water, my skin was pink and raw, but I felt marginally more human.

I toweled off and slipped into Arya's borrowed clothes. The pants were a bit short on me, but otherwise everything fit well enough. I combed through may wet hair with my fingers and steeled myself to face whatever came next.

When I opened the bathroom door, my heart nearly stopped.

Brandon stood in the middle of the guest room, still in his suit from the party though it was now rumpled and-was that blood on his sleeve?

"Brandon," I whispered, hardly daring to believe he was really there.

"Hey," he replied softly, his eyes drinking me in like a man dying of thirst.

I didn't think-just launched myself across the room and into his arms.He caught me easily, his strong arms wrapping around me so tightly I could barely breathe. I didn't care. I buried my face in his neck, inhaling his familiar scent, my hands frantically exploring his back, his shoulders,his face-making sure he was really whole, really unharmed.

"Brandon," I breathed against his lips before crushing my mouth to his.

"Mmm," he hummed in agreement, kissing me back with equal desperation.

When we fnally broke apart, both breathing hard, I couldn't help myself I punched his chest.

"You idiot!" I choked ouat, tears threatening again. "Do you have any idea how worried I was? How could you just ditch me like that? What if something had happened to you? What would I do then? You can't just...you can't just handle everything by yourself!"

Brandon's expression softened. He cupped my face in his hands,thumbs gently wiping away the tears that had escaped.

"I'm fine," he murmured. "Look at me-not a scratch. I knew I could handle it, that's why I sent you to safety first."

"But what if you couldn't?" I insisted, clutching the front of his shirt. "I can't lose you, Brandon. I can't. Don't you get that? I don't want to be protected if it means you putting yourself in danger."

"Shh," he soothed, pressing his forehead to mine. "I'm sorry. I promise I won't leave you behind again,okay?"

"You better not," I sniffled, my anger already fading in the face of the overwhelming relief that he was alive, he was here, he was safe.

Brandon guided me to the bed, sitting down and pulling me onto his lap.I curled against him, my head tucked under his chin, his heartbeat strong and steady beneath my ear.

"It's over now," he said, his hand stroking my damp hair. "Ethan did what he had to do to protect you. Those men weren't American citizens-they entered the country illegally. And they were killers, Summer.Professiona hitmen wanted internationally."

I shuddered, remembering their cold eves i.-.-.

thing when he saved me. But why? Why would anyone want to kill you?Or me?"

Brandon's arms tightened around me. "Don't worry about that right now. I'll handle it."

"How can I not worry?" I pulled backto look at him incredulously."Someone literally sent *assassins* to kill you, Brandon! What if they try again?"

"They won't," he said with quiet confidence. "Not right away,at least.I'll talk to Ethan and the others, make sure we have a plan. Are you tired?"

The question seemed absurd given everything that had happened, but as soon as he mentioned it, exhaustion crashed over mne like a wave. It was well past 3 AM, and the emotional rollercoaster of the nighthad drained what little energy I had left.

"Yeah." I admitted. "Really tired."

"Then sleep," Brandon murmured, shifting us both to lie down properly.He kept his arms around me, one hand gently stroking my back in soothing circles. "I'll be right here."

"Don't leave," I mumbled, already feeling sleep pulling at me.

"I won't," he promised, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I drifted off to the steady rhythm of his breathing, the solid warmth of his body next to mine the only security I needed.