But I did say what needed to be said.
“Don’t get tunnel vision,” I told him. “Not on a screen. Not on a person. We win because we stay smart.”
Ghost’s hands paused again.
He spoke without turning. “I am smart.”
“I know,” I said. “That’s why I’m saying it.”
His fingers resumed.
I left him to it.
Outside the tech room, the hallway felt too quiet again. The compound was settling. People were trying to pretend this could be normal.
It wasn’t.
I found Cap near the entryway, phone pressed to his ear, voice low. When he ended the call, he looked at me.
“Doc says Scout’s stable,” Cap said. “Stable is not healed.”
“I know,” I said.
Cap’s gaze shifted past me, toward the hallway that led to our rooms. “Amanda.”
“Asleep,” I said. “Finally.”
Cap nodded once. “Good. We don’t let her carry this alone.”
“She’s not,” I said, and meant it.
Cap studied me for a moment like he was weighing something.
“You heard Ghost,” he said. “This is escalation.”
I nodded. “They’re going to hit where they think we’ll bleed.”
Cap’s voice stayed calm, but his eyes were hard. “And if they’re watching that girl.”
I understood exactly what he meant.
We’d taken two people back from them. One of ours. One of mine.
The ring would want balance.
The air felt colder.
“I’ll talk to Ranger,” I said. “We’ll get eyes on the building. Quiet.”
Cap nodded. “Do it.”
I turned to leave, but Cap’s voice stopped me.
“Wrecker.”
I looked back.
He held my gaze. “You don’t do this alone either.”
