CHAPTER 24

Naarah couldn't shake the weight of Peter's words as she lay in bed that night. The moonlight streamed through the window, casting silver streaks across the sheets, but sleep eluded her. Peter's past haunted him, and now, she realized, it haunted her too. The betrayal he suffered, the pain he carried—it was all too real.

She turned onto her side, staring at the ceiling. The way he had held her tonight, the way he had spoken, it wasn't just about attraction. There was something deeper, something raw and vulnerable that he didn't show to anyone else. It made her heart ache.

Could she really help him heal? Or was she just another weakness he couldn't afford to have?

The next morning, she found Peter already awake, sitting by the window with a cup of coffee in his hands. He looked lost in thought, his eyes distant as he gazed out at the city skyline.

"Did you sleep at all?" she asked, her voice soft.

His gaze flickered toward her before returning to the view. "Not much."

She hesitated before stepping closer. "Peter… last night, you told me about your past. About what happened with your ex and your rival."

He didn't respond immediately. Instead, he took a slow sip of his coffee before setting the cup down. "I shouldn't have told you. It's not your burden to carry."

Naarah frowned. "That's not fair. You told me because you trust me, right?"

His jaw tightened, but he nodded.

"Then let me be here for you," she said firmly. "You don't have to carry this alone."

Peter exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "You don't understand, Naarah. If you get too close, if he finds out—"

"He already knows," she interrupted. "Your rival already knows I'm important to you, doesn't he?"

Silence.

That was her answer.

She swallowed hard, her heart pounding. "Then it's too late to act like I'm not involved."

Peter's hands clenched into fists. "That's exactly what I was afraid of."

Naarah reached out, covering one of his hands with her own. "You can't push me away, Peter. Not anymore."

His gaze darkened as he looked at her, the internal struggle evident in his expression. "I don't want to lose you."

"Then don't," she whispered.

Something in him broke at her words. He pulled her into his lap, his arms wrapping around her as he buried his face in her hair. She felt the tension in his muscles, the way he trembled slightly as he held her. Naarah closed her eyes and leaned into him, her hands resting against his chest.

For the first time, she felt like she was truly seeing Peter—not the cold businessman, not the martial artist, but the man beneath all the armor. The one who was terrified of losing again.

And she realized she would do anything to protect him, just as fiercely as he wanted to protect her.

---

Later that day, Peter took her to a private estate on the outskirts of the city. The place was surrounded by high walls, security cameras positioned at every corner. It was clear that this was one of his safehouses.

"We'll be staying here for a while," Peter said as they stepped inside. "It's not safe in the city right now."

Naarah frowned. "Are you expecting an attack?"

Peter's eyes met hers, cold and calculating. "I know it's coming."

She swallowed hard. "Then let me help."

His brows furrowed. "Help?"

"I can learn," she said. "I don't want to just sit here while you put yourself in danger."

Peter shook his head. "You don't belong in this world, Naarah."

Her hands curled into fists. "But I'm already in it, aren't I?"

He exhaled, running a hand down his face. "It's not that simple."

"I know it's not," she said, stepping closer. "But if I'm going to be in danger no matter what, I at least want to be able to fight back."

Peter studied her for a long moment before sighing. "Fine. But we do this my way."

Naarah nodded, determination shining in her eyes. "Deal."

And so, her training began.

For the next few days, Peter put her through grueling exercises. It wasn't just about self-defense; he made her learn discipline, awareness, and control. He taught her how to read an opponent's movements, how to anticipate attacks before they happened.

But most of all, he made her stronger.

With each passing day, Naarah began to understand Peter's world a little more. She saw the weight he carried, the choices he had to make. And with every lesson, she realized something else.

She was falling in love with him.

Not just with the protector or the fighter—but with the man who, despite everything, still let himself care for her.

And she knew, without a doubt, that she would fight for him just as hard as he fought for her.