“I do.” Ford tapped a key, and a new file popped up: DANTE OLIVETTI. “He runs as my private security. He vets the product, watches my back, and gives Bravo eyes and instincts inside the room.”
Martin studied the profile. Dante’s history and quals.
“Why Dante?” Zach asked in his Dominant tone, the one that made people fall apart.
Ford didn’t hesitate. “He knows Krueger’s headspace. He understands Bravo’s rhythm. And he’s already proven he canmove between medical recovery and live operations without losing his center. Shannon’s cleared to fly. She doesn’t need him as much now. We need him.”
Martin added, “He also doesn’t scare easily, and he’s not impressed by his own legend. That matters when you’re sitting across from people who coat-check fear for sport.”
Ford glanced back at the map, fixating on the pulsing indicator where the convoy had last been pinned, then down at Dante’s name. “My only worry is if this goes sideways before Bravo can move, we could both vanish into a hole nobody can publicly admit exists.”
Ian’s gaze was steady. “If this goes sideways, and we don’t go in, we could lose a city. Maybe more. You’ve adapted in worse places with less prep, Ford. You’re not going in blind. You’re going in as the man you’ve spent years quietly building.”
Ford closed the file fully this time and set it down. “When does Harper go live?”
“Now,” Ian said. “From this moment on, every move, every call, every purchase traceable to that legend is his. No Ford Cox attached. If anyone smells you under him, the deal dies, and maybe so do you.”
Zach added, “We’ll set up a one-way burst beacon. It will give a location and status, no back-and-forth. No phones. No trackers they can sweep. Once you’re in, it’s eyes, ears, and instincts until Dante or Bravo gets you an exit.”
Ford nodded once. “Then Lex Harper has a security chief. And Dante gets to walk into hell with me and for us.”
Martin folded his arms. “You both need to be very convincing liars.”
Ford’s eyes sharpened. “We’ve had practice.”
And just like that, the decision was made. Lex Harper stepped into the world.
And somewhere in New Orleans, Dante Olivetti’s next war started ticking toward him.
CHASE NEW ORLEANS – 0602 HOURS
Shannon stirred to soft knocking. It wasn’t her usual nurse or Mack. It was a different rhythm.Dante.
He didn’t say a word when she opened the door, still bleary-eyed, hair messy from sleep.
He just smiled. “You trust me?”
Her mouth quirked. “That’s how you start a kidnapping.”
“Not a kidnapping,” he said. “A surprise.”
He scooped her into his arms and carried her through the building. No one stopped them as he walked to the private elevator.
The doors opened on the penthouse floor. She blinked.
A few steps later, his palm keyed them through Door 4. The suite looked nothing like the medical floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in golden morning light. White linen curtains moved with the cross breeze from the French doors. And everywhere were candles, flickering in soft light. And flowers—hydrangeas, ranunculus, even a few lilacs decorated the room.
Her breath caught.
He walked inside slowly, placing her near the couch. A tray was already laid out with pancakes, mango slices, and vanilla chai. Her favorite breakfast. It was everything she hadn’t tasted in what felt like forever.
She turned to him, stunned. “You did all this?”
He nodded, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “If I only have one more morning with you… I want it to be like this.”
Her eyes filled, but she didn’t cry.
The candles burned lower.The dishes were cleared. The bed, king-sized, dressed in high-thread-count cotton, waited in silence.
