Chapter 35 Laney
Laney
Ihear the helicopter before I see it.
The sound hits the air like thunder, the deep rhythmic chop of the blades echoing across the mountains.
My chest tightens instantly.
Hope.
Fear.
Panic.
All tangled together.
Wolf is already outside.
Trigger stands near the clearing with a radio pressed to his ear.
Marco stands by the door.
Very still.
Watching the sky.
I’m holding my daughter so tight she squeaks softly in protest.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, pressing a kiss against the soft top of her head. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
The helicopter breaks through the clouds above the trees.
Wind from the rotors tears across the clearing, sending leaves and dust swirling in every direction.
The aircraft settles onto the ground.
The door slides open.
Men jump out.
Weapons ready.
Scanning.
Then—
Saint.
For a moment my brain refuses to believe it.
He’s pale.
Bruised.
Moving stiffly like every step hurts.
But he’s walking.
Alive.
My knees give out.
The world tilts and I barely register moving.
One second I’m standing in the clearing.
The next—
I’m running.
I crash into him hard enough that he stumbles back a step.
He catches me anyway.
One arm around my waist.
The other wrapping instinctively around our daughter like he’s afraid the world might steal us again if he loosens his grip.
“I’m here,” he says hoarsely. “I’ve got you.”
I bury my face against his chest and the tears finally come.
I don’t even try to stop them.
“I thought—” My voice breaks. “I thought—”
“I know,” he murmurs softly.
His hand presses against the back of my head, holding me there.
“I know.”
He leans down and presses his forehead against mine.
For a moment we just breathe.
Then he looks down.
At her.
Our daughter blinks up at him with wide, curious eyes.
And then…
She smiles.
A full, bright, innocent smile.
Saint’s breath shudders out of him like something inside his chest just broke open.
“Hey,” he whispers.
His voice softens into something I’ve never heard before.
“Hey, baby.”
He reaches a finger toward her tiny hand.
“Daddy’s here.”
She makes a tiny happy sound and reaches for him.
I let him take her.
He gathers her carefully against his chest, holding her like she’s the most precious thing in the world.
Maybe she is.