Jack then climbed into bed, hugged Selena from behind, and kissed the back of her head, murmuring a low, steady "Good night."
Her body softened against his chest, and in the quiet of the darkened room he felt her breathing slow, drifting into sleep. Jack, however, lay awake a few moments longer, his thoughts turning over Cain's words, the half-pieced puzzle of names and transactions circling his mind. Eventually, exhaustion pulled him under.
The next morning, Selena woke first. She slipped from his arms with practiced care and padded into the kitchen. The faint clink of plates, the soft hiss of oil meeting a hot pan, and the warm fragrance of bread and coffee filled the apartment.
Jack stirred awake, inhaling deeply, before a slow smile tugged at his mouth. He pushed himself out of bed, ran a hand through his hair, and stepped toward the door.
