"It's risky," he says.
"Everything is risky. This way, I'm the one taking the risk instead of just waiting for him to choose when and where."
"You've thought about this."
"I've had four years to think about what I'd do if I ever got the chance to face him on my terms." I meet his eyes. "I'm tired of being afraid, Will. I'm tired of letting him have that power over me. This is how I take it back."
He holds my gaze, and I can see the war behind his eyes—the part of him that wants to lock me in a safe room and stand guard outside fighting against the part that respects my right to make my own choices.
The second part wins.
"Okay," he says. "We do it your way. But we do it smart. Multiple sight lines, multiple exit strategies. And the moment anything feels wrong, we pull you out. No arguments."
"No arguments," I agree.
Cole looks like he wants to object, but Shaw puts a hand on his shoulder. "She's not the same person who walked through that door," Shaw says. "Let her do this."
Cole exhales through his nose. "Fine. But I'm going to be the closest one to her. And if that asshole so much as breathes in her direction?—"
"You'll have to beat me to him," Will says.
The planning continues, but the energy in the room has shifted. I'm not the object of their protection anymore. I'm part of the team.
It feels like taking something back. Something that was always mine.
By midnight, we have a plan. The day after tomorrow, I'll be at a coffee shop in the center of town, visible through the windows, apparently alone. The brothers will be positioned at various points around the square—close enough to intervene in seconds, far enough to not spook Craig into backing off.
Shaw confirms that the restraining order should be finalized by then. Tate will be monitoring traffic cameras to track Craig's approach. Cole will be in a car across the street. And Will...
"I'll be inside," he says. "Different table, eyes on the door. Close enough to get to you in three seconds."
"And if he doesn't show?"
"Then we try again. As many times as it takes."
I nod. It's not a perfect plan. No plan is. But it's mine, and that matters more than I can explain.
The brothers filter out one by one, heading home to grab a few hours of sleep before tomorrow's surveillance shifts. Cole is the last to leave, pausing at the door to look back at me.
"I'm proud of you," he says. "For what it's worth."
"It's worth a lot."
He nods and disappears into the night.
Then it's just me and Will, alone in the empty bar, the silence settling around us like a blanket.
"You should get some sleep," he says. "Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
"I know." But I don't move. There's something I need, something I've been thinking about since we started planning. "Before all of this happens, I want one night without him. Without his shadow hanging over everything."
Will tilts his head. "What do you mean?"
"Take me to The Forge." The words come out clear and certain. "Not for a tour. For real."
He goes very still. "Gemma."
"I know what I'm asking. I know you think I should wait, that I'm not ready, that the timing isn't right." I step closer to him, close enough to feel his warmth. "But I've been waiting my whole life for the timing to be right. And I'm done waiting."
