safe

Han's POV

I walked down the quiet hospital corridor, my footsteps echoing faintly against the sterile walls. On the surface, I looked the same as ever calm, sharp, collected but inside, a low hum vibrated through my blood.

I could still feel Tyler's fingers fisting my collar, still see the wild fire burning in his eyes when he shouted at me.

No fear.

No hesitation.

Only raw, untamed spirit.

I smirked to myself. Good.

Only a fool thinks loyalty can be bought with money.

And Tyler was no fool.

He was stubborn, reckless the kind who would rather bleed out on the floor than kneel.

Exactly what I needed.

The elevator came into view, and I slowed my steps slightly, adjusting my tie where he had grabbed me earlier. His touch still lingered rough, clumsy, desperate. I brushed it off my suit carefully, almost thoughtfully.

"You're in the right place, Tyler," I muttered under my breath, voice low enough only I could hear.

"You just don't know it yet."

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.

I stepped inside, the metal box closing around me like a vault.

And then, as soon as the elevator dropped to the ground floor, I stepped out and found myself already outside.

Before I knew it, I was in front of my car.

I got in casually, shutting the door behind me with a soft click — only to realize there was a figure sitting quietly inside.

I sat down comfortably, not in any rush. Then I turned my head, and the figure tilted slightly, letting the faint light catch the glass it was holding. Bright blue eyes sparked through the dimness, sending a jolt of recognition through my chest.

"Oh, Azazel. You're back."

She smirked, setting down the empty glass.

"Yes. Don't you know how to call? Or at least make a decent entrance?"

"And where's the fun in that, bros?"

I just shook my head and gestured for her to move to the front seat. She slipped out the back and slid smoothly into the passenger side, her eyes drifting immediately to the hospital building looming behind us.

"He's here, right?"

"Yeah."

"So?" She glanced at me sideways. "Any report on him being shady?"

"No," I said, leaning back against the seat. "He's clean. In fact…"

I paused, feeling the corner of my mouth twitch upward.

"I want him to be my bodyguard."

Azazel twisted her body toward me, staring like I had grown a second head.

"Bodyguard? Just because he saved your life doesn't mean he can protect you."

I exhaled slowly, staring straight ahead.

"Azazel, I'm not after his looks or skills. He has something way more valuable. Loyalty. Real, pure loyalty. When he threw himself out there today, no fighting experience, no second thought... it already proved it."

I turned to meet her gaze.

"If I can make him, shape him, he'll lay his life down for me without hesitation. You just don't get it."

Azazel's lips parted like she wanted to argue then pressed together.

"I do. I do." She frowned, crossing her arms. "But if he's really going to stand up against the attacks coming for you, he's gonna need more than loyalty."

I smirked.

"That's where you come in. I just need him to agree. Once he does, you'll train him. You'll make him strong enough to stay."

She gave me a long look, then said dryly, "It better work. I'm not babysitting another runaway chicken like the last fifteen you scared off."

I chuckled under my breath.

"It's not going to be like the last ones. Tyler's different."

Azazel stared at me another moment, then leaned back against the seat with a sigh.

"We'll see about that."

And then, my face just went dead as I looked upstairs.

As I was already saying — since the mood in me shifted — she started talking, trying to fill the silence.

"Don't worry, the trip is safe. How many times do I have to tell you that?"

"I know it's safe," I muttered, staring blankly at the steering wheel. "But I'm not just there to see how safe it is."

"Trust me, it's under heavy machinery, underground," she insisted. "No one's getting anywhere near it without having their head blasted clean off their body. I've set time bombs, timers, a hundred protection devices. If anyone hacks into it…" She shrugged casually. "It's still gonna be safe."

She reached over and squeezed my shoulder lightly.

I tried .. I tried ..to believe her.

But I couldn't.

And she knew I couldn't.

I wasn't safe yet, and we both knew it.

"You know you can't just fly off to Russia, right?" she said after a beat, her voice softer but firm.

"You've got a lot of business there to handle. First the Styler situation, and then the company. You're aware of that, right? You're aware Wayne knows about your chip situation. And he's probably counting on that to distract you so he can sneak into the company."

She paused, looking at me seriously.

"Everything's about logistics."

Her voice dropped when she said his name.

Wayne.

God, I tried so hard to forget that name.

But hearing it still rattled something loose inside me — some part of me that I didn't even want to admit was still there.

Azazel immediately caught herself when she saw my expression harden.

"I'm sorry—"

"Don't." I cut her off sharply before she could come up with some stupid apology.

I didn't need her feeling sorry for me.

I didn't need anyone feeling sorry for me.

And then, quieter, she asked,

"Are you not over him yet?"

I stared out the windshield, jaw tightening.

"I am over him," I said, my voice low and sharp.

"I've moved on. Completely."

And then I added, colder, "I don't see why we should even be talking about my ex."

"My ex who turned into my enemy overnight."

Azazel opened her mouth to say something else — but stopped herself.

Probably for the best.