Leo’s brows lifted.“To who?”
She tipped her chin toward the press line that had materialized with predatory speed.There were cameras, microphones, and faces already arranging themselves into concern.“To them.”
Leo swore under his breath.“Chloe.”
“I know,” she said.“But I don’t want to hide.I don’t want fear to be the loudest thing in the room or, you know,” she waved her arms, encompassing the area, “outdoors.”
She felt it then.Panic, yes, but also something harder underneath.Resolve.The same stubborn grit that had carried her through grief, failure, and rebuilding everything she’d ever lost.
Leo studied her, then nodded once.“Okay.But I’m right here.”
Kayne moved in without a word, positioning himself just off her shoulder as Sandy cleared a path.The noise swelled instantly.
“Chloe!Chloe, are you hurt?”
“Was this a targeted attack?”
“Do you feel safe right now?”
The questions crashed over her in waves.She stepped forward anyway until the microphones hovered inches from her face.The cameras whirred.In her chest, her heart pounded as if it wanted out of its cage.Chloe took one breath.Then another.
“I’m shaken,” she said, voice clear, eyes steady.“I think anyone would be.But I’m okay.And I want to be very clear about something.”
The crowd quieted.
“This event was about helping kids get the surgeries they need to live.That hasn’t changed.Fear doesn’t get to erase that.”
She felt Kayne shift behind her.Solid.Steady.
“I won’t pretend this wasn’t scary,” she continued.“But I won’t let it make me small, either.”
Cameras flashed and questions followed, but Chloe stood her ground.She was scared but she was still here.And that mattered.
Chapter Seventeen
Chloe woke the nextmorning with the aftermath still clinging to her like smoke that stung your eyes and refused to clear.She was currently clinging to Kayne the same way.Letting go wasn’t an option.
