Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 60921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
The whole crew crowds into two booths. Arrow has one arm around Juno. Render is arguing with Poe about camera angles. River is laughing at something Ozzy said— and Ozzy looks like he’s performing normalcy for the room while his mind stays locked on the photo of Salem.
Gage watches all of us like an exhausted dad at a birthday party where the kids are armed.
Knight sits beside me, thigh pressed to mine. The comfort of him still surprises me. Like my body is finally learning that safe doesn’t have to mean still.
Gage is mid-rant about operational discipline when Knight leans over and murmurs in my ear, “You’re smiling.”
“I’m happy,” I whisper back.
“Dangerous sentence.”
“Correct.” I tilt my head and kiss him.
Gage makes a noise of disgust so dramatic it could qualify as a performance piece. “Absolutely not.”
River cackles. Juno grins. Arrow shakes his head like he’s proud and doomed.
Ozzy points at Gage. “See? Love is alive.”
Gage mutters, “I’m changing my name.”
I smile into Knight’s shoulder. This is the part of our lives I didn’t expect. The after. The family you choose. The work that matters. The kind of love that doesn’t make you smaller— it makes you sharper.
When we step outside, Saint Pierce is cold and bright with December energy.
Knight laces his fingers with mine. “Tomorrow we hunt,” he says.
“And rescue,” I answer.
His thumb brushes my knuckles. “You ready?”
I think of Salem Bloom.
Of Serafina.
Of the ring we’re about to crack open.
“Yeah,” I say.
“Me too.”
We walk into the night together— with a plan, a purpose, and a rescue that’s about to change everything.
Especially Ozzy.