I stay close, protective, but I let her have this.
We ride in silence for maybe twenty minutes, then I lead us to a high point that overlooks the ranch.
You can see the clubhouse from here, the cattle, the land stretching to the horizon.
We dismount, let the horses graze, and stand together looking out.
"This is what I needed," Grace says quietly. "To remember what freedom feels like."
I pull her against my side. "You're safe now."
"I know. Because of you." She looks up at me. "You found me. Got me out. Killed the man who put me there."
"I'd do it again. A thousand times. Whatever it takes to keep you safe."
Grace is quiet for a moment, then: "Tomorrow we deal with Venom."
"Yeah."
"You're going to kill him?"
"Yes."
She nods slowly. "Good. Because he threatened you. Threatened my dad. Threatened everything I love. And I want him dead."
I study her face. "You've changed. Since all this started."
"Have I?"
"You're harder. Stronger. More... accepting of what this life requires."
"Is that bad?"
"No." My voice is fierce. "It's perfect. You're perfect. You chose this life. Chose me. Knowing exactly what it means."
Grace turns in my arms, and I see the determination in her eyes. "I did. And I don't regret it."
I kiss her there on the hilltop.
"This is our land," I murmur against her lips. "Our home. Our life."
"After Houston," Grace says, "we come back here. Build our life. Together."
We stand there, my arms around her, both looking out at the land.
The sun's starting to sink lower, shadows lengthening.
Last peaceful moment before the storm.
"We should head back," I say reluctantly. "Phantom's probably called a meeting."
"One more minute. Please."
So we stand there, and I memorize this—Grace in my arms, the land spread out before us, the quiet.
Then we ride back as dusk falls, the temperature dropping, the sky turning purple and pink.
At the barn, we unsaddle the horses together.
