Chapter 39: Working Together

Driving the modified three-wheeled vehicle was pure chaos. It felt like Gideon was trapped in constant turbulence, as if the ground itself refused to stay still. The wheels felt primitive, almost stone-age, making every turn stiff and uncooperative.

When they entered the cave, the shaking grew even worse. Darkness swallowed the path ahead, and for a moment he was genuinely afraid he’d crash into something hidden just beyond his sight.

Thankfully, the tunnel was straight. A faint glow at the far end guided him through, and when they finally emerged, Gideon let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

He glanced at Delilah.

She was sitting noticeably farther away from him than before, posture stiff, as if putting distance between them on instinct.

’Am I moving too fast?’ he wondered. ’Jade said otherwise... but Delilah might just be shy. Or still in denial. It’s impossible she wasn’t interested in me though, she kept blushing when I teased her.’

She had been married once, her husband was probably gone and she may be reluctant to move on.

"You okay?" Gideon asked at last. "You’re not nauseous, are you?"

Delilah shook her head quickly. "No... It’s not that bad."

She turned away as she spoke, clearly avoiding his gaze.

’This is going to be an awkward ride,’ he thought.

The rest of the journey passed in silence. Gideon focused on the road ahead, while Delilah seemed lost in her own thoughts.

After nearly two hours, they finally reached the bunker.

Delilah climbed out first. "Stay here," she said.

"Park behind that rock. We don’t want to leave tracks."

He did as told while she moved ahead, scanning the area. She checked the surroundings carefully, making sure no one was nearby and that the bunker hadn’t been breached.

Only after she gave a small hand signal did he follow.

She opened the hatch, and they descended into the dark hallway. A few steps later, they emerged into the familiar living room, the same place where Gideon had first met her.

Delilah let out a slow sigh. "Good. It’s still safe."

Then she added quietly, "We’ll need to destroy this bunker once we’re done."

Gideon froze. "What? Why?"

He hesitated. "Are you sure? This place... it has memories, doesn’t it?"

"Yes. But it also holds too many secrets. This bunker belongs to the government and if someone with bad intentions finds all of those documents..."

She took a breath. "First, we’ll move the ammo and guns. After that, I’ll gather Summer and Freya’s clothes and everything they need."

"So I can go down to the lower floor?" he asked, just to be certain.

She glanced at him, then nodded. "Of course. You’re not suspicious for me anymore. At least... not like before."

Her words eased something in his chest.

"Alright," he said. "I’ll start moving what’s on this floor first."

Gideon and Delilah worked together, moving crate after crate. They naturally fell into roles.

Delilah loaded the crates onto the platform trolley and pushed them toward the hatch, while Gideon stayed above, lifting each one and securing it onto the vehicle.

After a while, Delilah finally stopped and wiped her brow.

"I don’t think we can move everything. This should be enough."

The crates they had taken were the most dangerous ones. Grenades, rocket launchers, several rifles and handguns, along with a single crate of ammunition.

Gideon, standing above the hatch and looking down at her, nodded in agreement. He couldn’t exactly tell her that he had unlimited storage and could have taken everything.

Unlike her daughters, Delilah wasn’t naive. She would notice if something felt off and would be suspicious of him even more.

"Come on," she said after a moment. "I’ll make you something to cool down."

She glanced at him, clearly feeling bad. He was drenched in sweat, his shirt clinging to his body as he stood under the sun.

Gideon let out a relieved breath. "Yeah. Thanks."

He could handle the heat mentally, but his body clearly disagreed. It still hadn’t adapted.

Now he sat on a stool near the kitchen, watching Delilah as she tied on a black apron.

She gathered her hair up, exposing the curve of her neck. When she tightened the apron behind her back, the lines of her body became even more noticeable.

He didn’t bother hiding how much he enjoyed the view.

Delilah noticed almost immediately.

"Don’t look at me like that," she said quietly.

"Like what?" he replied with a smirk.

She sighed. "Never mind. I know you’re young, but please try to keep it in your pants."

Gideon laughed. "What can I say? I can’t control my attraction toward you."

She groaned. "Ugh. Kids these days."

She continued cooking, but the tips of her ears had turned red, which only made Gideon chuckle.

"I don’t think it’s strange that I like you," he said lightly. "Have you ever looked at yourself in a mirror?"

She paused her cutting for a moment. "I’m a widow. I don’t think people usually think that way."

"Have you ever heard the term sexy MILF?"

Her movements sped up slightly, the knife hitting the board faster than before as she turned nervous.

"I think you’re—"

Suddenly, she flinched. Gideon stepped closer and immediately saw the blood. It wasn’t just a nick. The cut was deep.

"Damn. Sorry," he muttered, grabbing a rag and gently pressing it against her finger.

Delilah exhaled. "I told you already. I’m an old widow. I’d rather focus on my daughters."

She hesitated. "They like you too. I just hope they aren’t starting another fight over you."

"You think that would stop me?" Gideon said, half joking, half serious. "Honestly, they probably need a new stepfather."

She frowned at first, then burst out laughing. The sound caught him completely off guard, heat rushing to his cheeks.

"I can’t believe this," she said between laughs.

"I feel like I’m being flirted with by a high school boy." She tapped his shoulder lightly. "How old are you, anyway?"

"Twenty-three," he answered.

Her eyes widened, and she laughed even harder, completely forgetting about the cut.

"Oh my. You’re still young and inexperienced. Do you really think you could satisfy me?"

Her grin was teasing, almost playful.

Gideon knew she was joking. But they were close. Close enough that he could feel her warmth. And he wasn’t the type to back away from a challenge.

"Then let’s prove it," he said quietly. "If I satisfy you, take responsibility and marry me."

He cupped her face.

Delilah froze. Her mouth opened, probably to brush him off again, but she was too slow.

Gideon leaned in and kissed her.

Her lips were soft and full, warmer than he expected, with a sweetness that made him instinctively want more. The kiss deepened naturally, heat building as he forgot everything else around them.

For a moment, even Delilah forgot to pull away.