Marco looks at him.
For the first time since he walked in the door, something close to surprise flickers across his face.
“I didn’t know there was a baby.”
Saint’s hand clenches into a fist on the table.
“They’re not getting either.”
No one argues.
No one questions it.
The line has been drawn.
We start assigning roles immediately.
Perimeter coverage.
Transport vehicles.
Safe house rotations.
Fallback locations.
Decoys if things go bad.
“If she can’t get to them,” Marco says, watching the men carefully, “she’ll try to flush them out.”
Saint’s eyes narrow.
“How?”
Marco meets his gaze.
His answer is quiet.
“Or she’ll burn something you care about.”
The room goes silent.
Because we all understand exactly what that means.
The town.
And suddenly this isn’t just about Laney anymore.
It’s about protecting everyone.
15
Saint
I’m not used to fear sitting in my chest like this.
Not the kind that comes from bullets or blood or bad odds.
This is worse.
