Chapter 39

Ryan's POV I WATCHED HER carefully from across the elevator, admiring how the emergency lights cast blue shadows across her face. Even disheveled and angry, Serena was breathtaking. The way her chest rose and fell with each breath, how she nervously tucked her hair behind her ear—habits I'd memorized years ago. "You can't stand there forever," I said, breaking the silence that had stretched between us. "Watch me," she shot back, arms still crossed defensively. The temperature in the elevator was dropping steadily. I could already see goosebumps forming on her exposed arms. "You're cold," I stated flatly. "I'm fine." "Always so fucking stubborn," I muttered, shrugging off my suit jacket. I extended it toward her. "Take it." She eyed the jacket suspiciously, like it might bite her. "I don't need your—" A loud metallic groan cut through her words, and the elevator lurched suddenly. Serena gasped, instinctively reaching out to steady herself against the wall. "What was that?" Her voice tre