Page 125 of Grim

The words pushed her over. She came undone, her body tensing, a soft cry spilling from her lips. He held her through it, feeling every pulse, every tremor, his own release following moments after, deep, overwhelming, complete.

They collapsed together, her head against his shoulder, his face buried in her neck. Their hearts thundered in sync. His hands traced gentle circles on her back, a grounding touch, an anchor, a promise.

"Healing," she whispered against his skin.

Grim understood. They were both reclaiming something tonight, not just physical, but emotional. The right to feel, to want, to have someone witness their vulnerability and not run.

"Together," he agreed, his voice steady and certain.

Sophia smiled, brushing her thumb along his jaw. "Come lay with me?"

He nodded, letting her lead him to the bedroom, her hand in his, her presence soft and sure beside him. The early morning light filtered through the blinds in pale stripes, painting her bed in quiet gold.

She curled into his side without hesitation, head on his shoulder, hand resting lightly on his chest. Grim wrapped an arm around her, slow and careful, like he was afraid to break the moment. Her warmth seeped into him, steady and grounding.

For a long time, they just sat there. Breathing. Existing. Together.

Her breaths grew slower. Softer. Deeper.

Grim glanced down.

Sophia had fallen asleep against him, completely relaxed, completely unguarded, trusting him with every part of her weight.

Something in his chest tightened, then eased. He didn't move. Didn't dare.

He just held her.

And for the first time in years, he realized he wasn’t listening for threats. He wasn’t watching the door. He wasn’t waiting for the world to fall apart.

He was watching her sleep. And he felt… peaceful.

He brushed a thumb gently along her arm, barely a whisper of touch. “I’ve got you,” he murmured, voice low, meant only for her even though she couldn’t hear it.

Sophia shifted slightly, nuzzling closer, her breath warm against his neck.

Grim closed his eyes.

Not bracing. Not fighting. Just breathing with her in the quiet dawn.

And for the first time in a long, long time, he let himself believe that healing wasn’t just something she was doing.

It was something they were doing together.

Chapter 41

Sophia

The sun was warm, the sky a perfect stretch of blue, and the rebuilt clubhouse stood tall behind the picnic tables, stronger, reinforced, gleaming with fresh paint and new steel. The Bloodline Saints MC had rebuilt not just walls, but hope.

Today was the first family picnic since the attack. And everyone came. A week ago, she couldn’t breathe in the dark. Now she was walking into sunlight with Grim’s hand on her back. Healing wasn’t linear, but today… today felt like another step forward.

Kids ran across the grass, shrieking with laughter. Sweetbutts lounged under umbrellas, gossiping and sipping sweet tea. Wives and girlfriends set out dishes on long tables covered in mismatched tablecloths. The smell of grilled meat, fresh tortillas, and Havoc’s questionable “famous chili” drifted through the air.

Sophia stood beside Grim, holding a tray of empanadas she’d made that morning, golden, flaky, still warm. Grim carried the cooler like it weighed nothing, his hand brushing her back every few steps, as if reminding himself she was here, safe, real.

Avery spotted them first. She walked over, glowing, a little softer around the edges, one hand unconsciously resting on her small bump, with Rook hovering behind her like a guard dog.

“Sophia!” Avery squealed, hugging her carefully. “Oh my God, you look amazing.”