Kane walks through tactical details, contingency plans, equipment requirements. I absorb it all while watching Rachel from the corner of my eye. She's holding up better than expected, staying engaged instead of shutting down. Strength under pressure. Exactly what makes her dangerous and exactly what makes protecting her so complicated.
When Kane finally calls the briefing to a close, Tommy is the first one out of his chair, followed quickly by Rachel. She doesn't wait for permission or escort, just heads straight for the communications room where Tommy set up her video call with Jen. I follow because that's what I do now. Shadow her movements, maintain security, keep her breathing.
Tommy's already got the system configured when we arrive. Triple monitors showing routing paths and encryption protocols that look like something out of a science fiction movie. He glances up when we enter, adjusts his glasses, and gestures to the center screen.
"Limited window before the routing resets," he says. "After that, we'd have to rebuild the entire connection from scratch. Don't waste time on small talk."
Rachel nods. Sits down in front of the center monitor. Her hands shake as she reaches for the keyboard to initiate the connection. The urge to handle this technical detail for her is strong, but this is hers. Her sister. Her need for confirmation that family survived.
The screen flickers. Loading bar appears. Then Jen's face fills the monitor, and Rachel's shoulders visibly relax.
"Jen," she says. "God, it's good to see you."
"You too." Jen's smile is tired but genuine. She's in a nondescript room at the safe house Dylan arranged. "How are you holding up?"
"Better now that I know you're still safe." Rachel leans closer to the screen. "Lucas and I are okay. We're in a secure location with the same people as before. How are the kids adjusting?"
"They're doing okay. Asking questions, but okay." Jen pauses, then her voice drops. "Have there been any more threats? Any sign that they've tracked you?" The controlled fear in her tone comes from knowing just enough to be terrified.
Rachel hesitates. "They're still looking. But we're taking precautions. Kane's team knows what they're doing."
Jen nods slowly. "The guards here are good. Professional. They've increased patrols in the past couple of hours. I think something changed."
"It did," Rachel admits. "But you're protected. That's what matters."
When the window expires, they say goodbye until the next scheduled call. Rachel sits motionless, staring at her reflection in the blank monitor.
"The contractors," she says quietly. "You trust Cross's judgment on them?"
"Cross doesn't make mistakes with security," I tell her. "Former SAS running close protection. Jen's as safe as we can make her."
Rachel stands. Turns to face me fully. Her eyes are tired but dry.
"Thank you," she says. "For setting up the call. For making sure I can stay connected to her."
"That's Tommy's doing. I just provide security."
"You're all part of the same team. So thank you." She steps closer, closing the distance between us. "You keep saving the people I love."
"That's what we do," I say. "You stay alive, keep Lucas safe. Everything else works itself out."
She studies my face with that sharp intelligence I've come to respect. Rachel sees through operational deflection, cuts straight to truth hiding underneath.
"You mean that," she says. "Keeping us safe actually matters to you. This isn't just another job."
"No," I admit. "It's not."
Before she can push for more explanation, before I have to put words to what's happening between us, Lucas appears in the doorway with Khalid and Odin. The kid looks between Rachel and me, reading the tension in the room with that same perceptiveness that gets kids in trouble.
"We're heading to get food," Khalid says. "Lunch."
Rachel nods, grateful for the interruption. "Go ahead. I'll catch up."
Lucas hesitates, then follows Khalid down the corridor, Odin's nails clicking against the floor behind them.
When they're gone, Rachel turns back to me.
"I'm scared," she whispers against my shirt. "I'm so scared that this never ends. That Kessler keeps coming and Lucas never gets to be normal again."
