Rachel nodded slowly, still processing. "You're really doing this."
Ghost shook his head yes, trying to read what was behind her eyes.
She looked at him, the soldier who'd walked through fire to find her, the man who never once asked her to play small or stay safe just to make him feel better. He saw her. All of her. And still stayed.
"Then I guess we're both starting something new," she said softly.
He stepped closer, his hands finding her waist. "I've already been laying the groundwork. Now I want you in on it. Every step."
Rachel waited, saying nothing.
"I bought a space," Ghost continued. "Old hangar on a private airstrip outside Oceanside. Secluded, secure. We're halfway through renovations, reinforced infrastructure, secure server systems, modular ops rooms."
She stared at him.
"I've been building connections. Making contacts. It's looking like I'll be able to get contracts—protection work, high-threat extractions, security overhauls for organizations that get targeted. Nothing's locked in yet, but the network is there. The foundation is solid."
"Logan..." She didn't know what to say.
His hands tightened on her waist. "This isn't just about me anymore, baby. I don't want any of this if I can't have you with me every step of the way."
Her breath caught.
"I know you want to take a break from the chaos and dangers of your job," he said. "How about helping me out instead? I want your input on everything. How we build this, how we staff it, how we keep it clean."
He paused, his thumb brushing along her hip.
"Besides, I could use a really great investigator to help ensure the people we take contracts with are who they say they are. Background checks on potential clients, vetting contract jobs, making sure we're not walking into something dirty." His eyes held hers. "You're perfect for it. Your skills, your instincts—I need that. I need you."
Rachel's pulse hammered. This wasn't about dragging her into something. It was about building it together. He was offering her a role that mattered, that used everything she was good at, in a way that didn't require her to walk into war zones.
Equal. Trusted. Chosen.
She let out a breathless laugh, shaking her head. "This is crazy."
Ghost's grin came quick. He leaned in, his nose brushing hers as his hands tightened at her waist. "A little," he murmured. "But so are we."
Rachel smirked. "Fair point."
"You gonna recruit your SEAL team?" she asked softly.
His face turned serious again. "I'll make offers as their contracts come up. They're my brothers. I'd take any of them in a heartbeat. But I won't push."
He paused, watching the horizon. "Torch's contract is up in a year. For now, he'll promote to take my place once I leave. He'll take over the team."
Rachel nodded.
"But when he's ready?" Ghost said quietly. "The door's open."
"This is real," she murmured.
Ghost's lips curved. "Damn right it is."
Rachel tilted her head. "You have a name for it?"
He blinked. "Haven't settled on one."
Her smirk widened. "Ghost Division."
