Chapter 1187:

Growing annoyed at the thought, she tossed a bundle of clothes toward him. “Here. I washed them. They’ll have to do.”

Jayden regarded her with an amused smirk. “Didn’t think you’d be so thoughtful, even washing my clothes.”

“Thoughtful? No chance. I just can’t stand filth in my space. Don’t get any ideas. We’re not about to make nice over something as trivial as laundry. Understood?” She glared, her eyes narrowed, then turned back toward the base, her stride steady and sure.

Jayden caught up with her, concern creeping into his tone. “You just shot someone. Are you alright? First kills can be hard, gnawing at your conscience.”

Elyse shrugged, mulling it over. “Before I fired, that mercenary had his gun aimed straight at me—maybe at Amanda, who knows. Either way, my life was on the line. So…” She paused, letting the silence hang. “If someone’s trying to kill me, I won’t hesitate to strike back. Isn’t that how you operate in combat?”

“Exactly,” Jayden replied, pride softening his gaze. “And you handled it well.” He reached over, ruffling her hair gently.

Elyse scoffed and shook him off, feigning indifference. She ignored him entirely as they continued.

Meanwhile, Amanda was taken to the field medic, who confirmed she’d indeed knocked herself out. She’d be out cold for a few hours, lying ignored on a makeshift bed.

With the chaos momentarily subsiding, Elyse and Jayden returned to their room.

Jayden shut the door and moved close to her, closing the gap a bit too quickly. Elyse bristled and backed away. “Keep your distance. You’ve dodged every question I’ve asked.”

Jayden sighed. “I’m not sure I even know where to begin.”

Elyse’s frown deepened. “That’s just an excuse. You’re avoiding me.” With a weary yawn, she waved him off. “I don’t want to argue all night. I’m tired and need sleep. You can take the floor.”

After she settled in bed, Jayden watched her a moment and muttered, “This is my room. My bed.”

Elyse shot up, immediately indignant. “I’ll see if Peyton has space in his room.”

“Go, and I’ll make you regret it,” Jayden snapped, his tone hard as steel.

Elyse glared, her defiance unwavering. His bravado melted under her gaze.

She lay back down, pulled the covers over herself, and shut him out, drifting off almost instantly.

Jayden lingered at the edge of the bed, watching her until her breathing softened.

He closed the curtains, ignored her silent warning, and slipped into bed beside her.

Forget the invisible boundary or the cold floor. Tonight, he needed to be next to her. Her warmth, her presence—she was the only remedy for his worn-out nerves, the only peace he knew.

Soon, Jayden too fell into a deep, undisturbed sleep.

Their breathing aligned, a quiet rhythm filling the room. Elyse, half-conscious, felt a tug at her blanket and tried to pull it back, only to be drawn into his embrace.

For two people so fiercely guarded, sleep was the only moment they could truly let their walls fall, lying close with no pretense, no battles, only the quiet simplicity of shared warmth.

Meanwhile, Peyton, having heard about Elyse’s earlier brush with danger, made his way over, only to find the door locked.

A smirk played on his lips. Jayden had actually locked the door. It could only mean…

Peyton chuckled to himself, entertained by the thought. Perfect. They were holed up in there, just the two of them—no one else to interfere. If they wanted to reignite their passion, that was their business, as long as they left him out of it.