"Then why?—"
"Because real is terrifying." I step closer, closing the distance between us that I created. "Because people I love get hurt. Because my whole life, caring about someone has meant watching them get dragged into my father's world whether they wanted it or not. And you... you were already in danger just by being near me. The attack proved that. I thought if I pushed you away, if I created distance, maybe it would hurt less when everything fell apart."
"Did it work?"
"No." The word breaks on a sound that's half laugh, half sob. "It hurt more. Every hour of the last two days, watching you keep your distance because I asked you to, knowing you'd respect my boundaries even if it killed you. That hurt worse than anything the Veronis could do to me."
Ford's expression shifts. The guard in his eyes softens, replaced by something warmer. Something that looks like hope.
"I need you to be sure." His voice is rough. "Because I can't do this again, Sera. I can't let you in and then watch you walk out. Not twice."
"I'm sure." I reach up, cup his face in my hands. Feel the rasp of his beard against my palms. "I'm sure about you. I'm sure about us. I'm sure that whatever happens next, I want to face it together."
He kisses me.
Not gentle. Not careful. The kiss of a man who's been holding himself back for two days and can't hold back anymore. His arms wrap around me, hauling me against his chest, and I feel the tremor in his muscles. The relief. The need that matches my own.
"I love you." The words fall out of me between kisses. "I know it's fast. I know it's crazy. But I love you, Ford Callahan. I love your maps and your coffee and your ridiculous boat and the way you look at me like I'm worth fighting for."
"You are worth fighting for." He pulls back just enough to meet my eyes. "You're worth everything, Sera. Everything I have. Everything I am. I'd burn the world down to keep you safe."
"I don't want the world burned down." I smile despite the tears streaming down my face. "I just want you."
"You have me." He kisses me again, softer this time. A promise. A vow. "As long as you want me, you have me."
Priest's interrogationyields results within the hour.
He returns to Second Watch's deck with Mace and Cal, his expression grim but satisfied. Ford and I stand together, his arm around my shoulders, my hand pressed flat against his chest.The physical contact feels necessary. Grounding. Evidence that the distance between us has finally closed.
"Meridian Strategic Solutions hired them," Priest reports. "But the contract originated from someone inside the Veroni organization. A man named Pietro Santini."
"I know that name." I straighten, pulling slightly away from Ford. "Santini was one of my father's lieutenants. He defected to the Veronis three years ago."
"Defected?" Mace raises an eyebrow.
"Fled before my father could deal with him for embezzlement." The memory surfaces sharp and clear. "He took a considerable sum and information about my father's operations. My father considered him a manageable problem, not worth the resources it would take to eliminate."
"Apparently Santini doesn't feel the same way." Priest pulls out a tablet, swiping through data. "According to the money trails I've traced, Santini's been building a case for why removing you would destabilize your father's organization completely. He's been shopping the idea to Meridian for months. When the turf war heated up, they finally bought in."
"But the connection to Ford's operation?—"
"Coincidental, in a way." Priest's expression is thoughtful. "Meridian contracted the same private military group they've used for years. That group happened to include operators from Ford's compromised op. Santini didn't know about the historical connection. He just wanted professionals who wouldn't ask questions."
Ford's arm tightens around me. "So this is about revenge. Santini wants to hurt Enzo, and using his daughter is the cleanest way to do it."
"More than that." Priest continues. "Santini's convinced the Veronis that taking you out would collapse your father'swillingness to fight. That Enzo would fold without his daughter to protect."
"He's wrong." My voice is steadier than I feel. "My father wouldn't fold. He'd burn Rhode Island to the ground."
"Which might be exactly what Santini wants." Ford's voice is thoughtful. "If the war escalates to that level, both organizations destroy each other. Santini picks up the pieces from whatever's left."
"So, what do we do?"
Priest exchanges a look with Mace and Cal.
"I've already reached out to your father through secure channels," Priest says. "Explaining the situation. Requesting permission to handle Santini directly."
"Handle him how?"
