Allyson's POV
My hand swept across the empty sheets, searching for warmth that was no longer there. Michael had vanished, leaving only the lingering scent of his cologne and the indent where his body had been. The disappointment cut through me like a blade, sharper than I expected.
Last night's terror crept back into my consciousness. Ran's twisted face, his rough hands, the way he'd cornered me like prey. My skin crawled at the memory, but I forced myself to breathe deeply. Michael had saved me. That monster hadn't won.
Today marked the end of our business trip, and we'd failed to secure funding. The thought should have devastated me, but after nearly being assaulted, financial disappointment seemed trivial.
I rolled toward Michael's pillow, pressing my face into the fabric. His masculine scent filled my lungs, grounding me in safety. For the first time in months, I'd slept without nightmares. His protective presence had chased away the demons that usually haunted my rest.
