“Thank you,” she said, and meant it.Aiden had always been earnest to the point of awkwardness.Disarmingly so.It made him easy to trust.“Did the stream get shut down cleanly?”
“Yeah.We killed it immediately.”He nodded toward the tangle of equipment and cables.“Sandy’s already drafting a holding statement.She’s kind of a superhero under pressure.”
As if summoned by her own legend, Sandy barreled toward them, phone in one hand, tablet in the other, her sunglasses shoved up into her hair.
“Okay,” Sandy said, brisk and bright and vibrating with adrenaline.“First of all, holy hell.Second of all, are you hurt?”
Chloe shook her head.“No.”
Sandy’s entire body seemed to sag with relief.She reached out, then hesitated, then pulled Chloe into a quick, careful hug anyway.“I don’t care what anyone says.That was terrifying.”
Chloe let herself lean into it for half a second.Just enough.
“I know,” she said quietly.“But I don’t want this to turn into panic.Or pity.”
Sandy’s eyes sharpened.“What do you want?”
Chloe glanced toward the crowd, where people were clustered behind barricades, phones raised and voices buzzing.She felt the shift in the air the moment concern curdled into spectacle.
“I want to finish,” Chloe said.The words surprised her with their certainty.“Not the workout.That’s done.But I want to stand up there and say something.Let people see I’m still here.”
Sandy nodded.“Okay.Then we control the narrative.”
Evan Calder came bounding over.He didn’t slow until he was right in front of her.Before she could brace herself, he wrapped his arms around her in a quick, impulsive, bone-crushing hug.
Chloe stiffened for half a heartbeat.
Not because he’d hurt her—he hadn’t—but because she knew.She’d always known.Evan’s concern had an edge to it, a hope she’d never invited and didn’t know how to gently dismantle without wounding him.She forced herself to breathe, patted his shoulder once, and stepped back as smoothly as she could manage.
“Oh, my God,” he said, hands dropping, eyes wide.“That was scary as hell.Are you okay?”
“I am,” she said, carefully steady, grateful when he didn’t reach for her again.
“Two of those drones were ours.I have no idea where the rogue one came from.”His walkie-talkie squawked.“Sorry, I have to take care of this.You sure you’re good?”
At Chloe’s nod, he jogged away, casting one last look over his shoulder.It was protective, earnest, and a little too hopeful.
Aiden shifted, clearly trying to be helpful.“If you want, I can stay nearby.Or, uh, get you water or something?”
“Thanks,” Chloe said gently.“I’m good right now.”
His smile flickered, then settled.“I’ll be over there if you need anything.”He retreated toward the equipment, glancing back once, probably assuring himself that she was still solidly in one piece.
Chloe watched him go, then turned and nearly collided with Leo.
He didn’t say a word at first.He just pulled her into his arms, one hand cradling the back of her head, the other firm at her spine.No questions or commentary, just presence.
For a second, she let herself be small.
Then she inhaled, steadying, and stepped back.“I’m okay.”
Leo searched her face, cataloging every freckle for signs of damage.“You almost weren’t.”
“I know.”Her voice softened.“But I am.”
He exhaled hard through his nose.“Kayne’s already coordinating with local PD and federal contacts.They’re taking this seriously.”
“Good,” she said.Then, after a beat, “I need to talk.”
