I return it.
Havoc claps a hand on my shoulder. “You good?”
I nod. “Fine.” But my eyes are on Nadia, who’s laughing and crying all at once. The daylight changes her. Softer, even more beautiful. She’s all steel and honey, survivor in every bone.
“They won’t stop,” I add.
“No. They won’t,” Havoc agrees. “Which means we don’t let this drag out. We traced the number that texted her. Burner, bought in the next town over. We’ve got a lead.”
“Her stepfather?”
“Still behind bars. But someone on his payroll’s moving the pieces. We’ll find out who.”
He glances over at the sisters again. “You did good. Take a shower, grab food. We need to move.”
I hesitate.
He sees it. “She’s safe. Ava won’t let her out of sight, and Ghost is sticking close. Viper’s riding with us. Diesel’s waiting for her car. It’ll be fine.”
I nod slowly. Doesn’t mean I like it. But I trust them. That’s the point of this life.
Nadia turns, still half-laughing, tears drying on her cheeks. “Saint,” she says, waving me over. “Come here.”
I step in close, just behind Nadia as Ava looks between us.
Nadia takes a breath, eyes never leaving her sister.
“I need to tell you something,” she says, voice quiet but clear. “I didn’t just find safety out there.”
Ava’s brows draw together.
Nadia reaches back, finding my hand and lacing her fingers through mine.
“I found more than that,” she says. “I found him.”
Her voice shakes, just slightly, but her grip doesn’t.
“I’m his. And he’s mine.”
Ava stares at her for a long second. Then something in her face softens. She steps forward and wraps Nadia in a tight hug.
“There is no one I would trust more to keep you safe and make you feel loved,” she says quietly, eyes flicking to me for just a beat before returning to her sister.
When she pulls back, there’s a knowing curve to her lips.
“And if he ever screws it up, I know how to hide a body.”
Then her expression shifts into something softer, grateful.
“Thank you for bringing her back to me,” she says, voice thick. “Viper told me enough. You didn’t have to go. But you did.”
“It was the right thing,” I say quietly.
I glance back at Nadia. Even through the exhaustion, she’s glowing. And just for a second, I see her behind the bar after a long run—smile waiting, giving me shit for being late like it’s her favorite part of the day.
“Come on,” Ava says, tugging her toward the hallway. “I’ve got clean clothes, hot food, and a bed with your name on it. You’re about to sleep for fourteen hours.”
Nadia pauses. Looks back at me.
