“I understand perfectly.” I stood, ignoring my knee’s protest, ignoring Xavier’s hand trying to pull me back down. “I understand that he’s dying. I understand that you need time to get those codes. I understand that I’m the only person here with medical training to keep him alive long enough for you to do your impossible infiltration bullshit.”
Hellhound’s expression didn’t change. “You’ll die.”
“Maybe. Probably.” I shrugged. “But I’m not leaving someone who needs help. Not again.”
The words came out harder than I’d meant them to. Emma’s face flashed through my mind, her last text, the promises I’d broken, the guilt that lived in me like a second heartbeat.
Clare, please.
I’d said later. I’d said tomorrow. I’d said she’d be fine.
She wasn’t fine.
Xavier’s hand found mine again. Pulled gently, trying to get me to sit back down. I didn’t move.
“He can’t ask for help. He can’t tell me he needs me. Can’t say ‘please don’t go.’ But he does need me. And I won’t make him wait.”
Understanding flickered across Hellhound’s face. Brief, gone before I could name it.
“You have a death wish.” Not a question.
“I have a promise to keep.” I sat back down, closer to Xavier this time. “To myself. That I won’t fail someone who needs me. Not again.”
Silence stretched. Havoc watched me with something that might have been respect. Hellhound’s golden eyes assessed, calculated, came to some conclusion I couldn’t read.
“Two weeks.” He said it finally. “We’ll need at least that long to plan the infiltration, coordinate with our contacts, get into Dresner’s headquarters.”
“Then I’ll keep him alive for two weeks.”
“The symptoms will get worse. Seizures. Cognitive breaks. Violent dissociation. He might not recognize you. Might hurt you without meaning to.”
“I’ll manage.”
Xavier’s grip tightened. When I looked at him, his eyes were desperate, furious. He opened his mouth, throat working, trying to force words past whatever block sealed them inside.
Don’t. Don’t stay. Not safe.
I read it in his face, in the rigid set of his shoulders, in the way his other hand formed a fist on his thigh.
“Tough shit.” I threaded our fingers together properly. “You stayed when I told you to leave. My turn.”
His jaw clenched. Eyes burning with frustration and something that looked dangerously close to terror.
But he didn’t let go of my hand.
Hellhound moved toward the narrow hallway. “There are two guest rooms upstairs. You’ll stay here while we plan. Off the grid. No contact with anyone outside this building.”
“What about supplies? Medical equipment?” My mind was already cataloging what I’d need. “IV fluids, anti-inflammatories, seizure meds, monitoring equipment...”
“I’ll get you a list.” Hellhound pulled out his phone. “Tomorrow. Tonight, you both need rest.” He left through the same door he’d used earlier. Footsteps fading into another part of the house.
Rest. The word sounded foreign.
But exhaustion was pulling at me with hooks I couldn’t ignore. My head pounded. I’d been running on adrenaline and fear for so long I’d forgotten what actual rest felt like.
Xavier stood, pulling me up with him. His arm came around my waist again, supporting my weight without me asking.
“I’m going to check perimeter security.” Havoc headed for the exit. Stopped. Turned back. “Don’t leave the building. Don’t open windows. Don’t answer the door unless you know who’s on the other side.”
