I turn back to Kayley. She’s trembling, face pale, eyes locked on Ford like she can’t believe he’s real. I cross the distance and wrap her up again, pulling her into my chest, pressing my mouth to her hair. “You’re safe,” I murmur. “You’re safe.”
Her arms wrap around me, tight. “I tried—I tried to fight?—”
“I know,” I say fiercely. “You were incredible.”
She pulls back, searching my face like she’s making sure I’m not a hallucination. “You came.”
“Always,” I whisper. And I mean it.
Her eyes fill again.
“You shouldn’t have been in that SUV,” I add, voice breaking with fury—not at her, at myself. “I should’ve never left you.”
Kayley shakes her head. “You didn’t know?—”
“I should’ve known,” I growl. “I promised you.”
She touches my cheek, fingers trembling. “You kept your promise. I’m here.”
My chest tightens so hard it hurts.
The FBI agents finish securing the scene, radio chatter filling the air. The snow keeps falling like the world doesn’t care. But my world is right here, shaking in my arms.
Rafe approaches quietly. “We need to move. Back to Haven 7.”
I nod, then guide Kayley toward the SUV. Chase opens the back door. Kayley climbs in, still shaky. I slide in beside her, pulling her into my side, my arm locked around her like a seatbelt.
She curls into me immediately, as if her body knows where it belongs now. The convoy turns around, heading back up the mountain.
Ford is transported separately, under heavy guard.
Mark Renshaw is out there somewhere—running.
But he’s running without his ring.
Without his buyer.
Without his pipeline.
And we’re going to find him.
Because Haven 7 doesn’t let monsters disappear into the woods.
Back at the compound,Harper meets us at the door with Poppi in her arms, face tight with fear until she sees Kayley alive. Then Harper exhales like she’s been holding her breath for days.
“And Aidan?” Kayley blurts, rushing forward.
Harper steps aside, and there he is—Aidan in a bassinet near the fire, safe and warm and babbling like nothing happened.
Kayley crumples beside him, tears spilling as she gathers him up.
“Oh, baby,” she whispers, kissing his cheeks over and over. “I’m here. I’m here.”
Harper touches Kayley’s shoulder. “He’s okay. He never left my sight.”
Kayley nods, sobbing quietly into Aidan’s blanket.
And I stand there watching them, my heart so full it feels like it might split.
