(Austin Chen's POV)
She insisted on bandaging me herself.
Didn't care that my shirt was soaked in blood, or that my jaw was split, or that I'd broken a man's spine a few hours ago. No. Ava came back with a glittery pink unicorn-shaped first aid kit and an expression that told me I was not getting out of this.
I could've said no.
But then again, I'd do anything for her.
So I let her clean the blood off my face like I wasn't the devil himself. Let her scold me for not drinking water. Let her tape Hello Kitty bandaids to my knuckles like they could actually stop the pain.
It didn't heal the wounds.
But it quieted the war in my head.
We ended up on the living room couch, her curled up on my chest like she belonged there—which, of course, she did. She talked until her voice slowed and her breathing evened out. Her hair was everywhere—down my arms, across my chest, trailing onto the floor like silk curtains.
I should've moved her.
I didn't.
I don't know how long I sat there like that—one arm around her, the other stroking her back slowly, rhythmically. I don't sleep easily. Not with everything in my head.
But that night… I did.
And I didn't have a single nightmare.
---
(Austin Chen's POV)
I stepped out of the house at exactly 7:00 a.m.
Black-on-black suit. Silk shirt open at the collar. Sleeves rolled up. Aviators. Combat boots. One gun strapped under my jacket, two blades in my boots.
And three glittery Hello Kitty bandaids on my knuckles.
Because my daughter had put them there.
And if anyone in this city had a problem with that, I'd make them disappear.
Ava was still asleep in my arms—head on my shoulder, lips parted, her impossibly long hair spilling over both of us like she was woven into my veins. I carried her down the marble steps like she was made of glass.
The guards at the main gate stiffened the second they saw me.
Then they saw the bandaids.
One of them twitched.
"Nice… uh, tactical equipment, sir," he offered.
I raised one brow.
He looked like he wanted to shoot himself.
"Shut up," I said mildly.
The other one snorted. I gave him a look.
He shut up too.
But I saw it—their eyes softened when they looked at her. Everyone did. She talked to them like they weren't soldiers. She asked about their kids. Brought snacks for the driver. Thanked the guy who fixed her window last week like he'd saved her life.
The devil may fear me.
But these men? These men would take bullets for Ava Chen, no hesitation.
I tightened my grip on her and looked at the team lead.
"Route to the school stays locked. I want visual on every street corner. I want names, plates, and heat signatures."
"Yes, sir."
"Chen Wei's on escort duty. She trusts him."
"Understood."
Ava stirred slightly, mumbling in her sleep. "Mmm… dada…"
I looked down at the tiny pink bows on my hand.
Yeah.
Let them laugh.
Let them talk.
Let the world think I've gone soft.
I'll burn it down before I let anyone lay a finger on her.