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But not the point.
“We do this together,” I say.
Not a command.
Not a demand.
A decision.
Her gaze holds mine.
Searching.
Weighing.
And then—
“Together,” she echoes.
Something settles into place.
Not finished.
Not safe.
But real.
A knock hits the door.
Sharp.
Breaking the moment.
Boone.
Of course.
I don’t look away from Scout.
“Yeah,” I call.
The door opens slightly.
“We’ve got movement,” Boone says. “Not direct—but close enough.”
I feel Scout shift beside me.
Already alert.
Already in it.
“What kind of movement?” I ask.
Boone’s eyes flick between us—taking in the distance, or lack of it.
“Pattern disruption,” he says. “Like someone’s testing edges.”
Sentinel.
