She clutched his hand in both of hers and pressed it flat, wishing they could feel the baby move. But most of all, she wanted him to understand how much he meant to her. “Because you were in danger. I didn’t want to lose you. Not after what I went through when I couldn’t find you. I thought that if I went to the Resistance, I’d be able to talk sense into them. I had no idea they were under League surveillance, or that the League was planning an attack on them.”

He wanted to choke her for that. But most of all, he wanted to kiss her and make love to her until neither one of them could walk. “I knew they were under surveillance, and that the League was going to attack them. If you’d only told me be—”

“You would have insisted on coming with me. And that wouldn’t have gone over well with them. I had to go alone. I’m sorry.”

“I hate it when you’re right.” But he was so grateful to have her back. Alive. Nothing else mattered. He brushed his hand over her bruised cheek. “Who hit you?”

“You killed him in the hallway.”

“I wish I’d known who it was. I’d have made it hurt a lot more.”

Zarya kissed his lips as joy tore through her. “You’re being so reasonable about all of this that it scares me.”

“I promise, I’m going to be mad later. Right now, I’m just so relieved to have you with me that you have a free pass to do anything you want.”

She clutched him against her and inhaled the warm, masculine scent of his skin. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Coming to get me. And I’m so incredibly sorry for everything that was done to you while you were in our custody. I know I’ve said it before, but it’s never enough. And now, after all of this… I fully understand why you can never trust me. But I swear to you, on the life of everything I hold sacred, that I will never, ever, ever, ever leave you alone again. Not even if you beg me to.”

He kissed her breathless. “You have nothing to apologize for, Zarya.”

She knew better. “That’s your relief still talking.” She kissed the tip of his nose. “But that’s okay. I still love you.”

“And I love you.” He scooped her up in his arms, and started down the hallway.

“What are you doing?”

“Attempting to sweep you off your feet. Is it working?”

She smiled at him. “Honey, you did that the minute I saw you in my cell.”

“Good. ’Cause you stole my heart the first time you looked up at me.”

“I stole it?”

He flashed a wicked grin. “Good point. I gave it to you. I just hope you learn to take better care of it than the rings I keep buying you.”