The soft rustle of sheets and the golden morning light slipping through the curtains welcomed Marion back to full consciousness. His side ached faintly from the gunshot wound, but none of that mattered anymore. Aliyah was curled up beside him, her fingers gently tracing invisible lines on his bare chest.

"Good morning," she whispered, her voice drowsy and content.

Marion turned to her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “It’s a perfect one.”

They had finally consummated their ...