Chapter 54 Laney
Laney
The town hall is full again.
But it doesn’t feel the same as last time.
Last time there was anger.
Voices raised. Arguments spilling across the room like sparks.
This time…
There’s something worse.
Nervousness.
Whispers ripple through the room instead of shouting. People avoid each other’s eyes. Conversations stop when someone walks past.
Fear moves quieter than anger.
Saint sits beside me.
The baby carrier rests at his feet, one boot hooked gently through the strap like he’s anchoring it to the floor.
His presence still steadies the room.
I can feel it.
But tonight even that isn’t enough.
The other Rangers are here too—spread around the walls, watching the crowd with the quiet awareness of men who expect trouble.
The mayor clears his throat.
“First item on the agenda: rezoning parcels twelve through sixteen on Main Street.”
Miller stiffens immediately in the front row.
“That’s not necessary,” someone calls out.
“It’s procedural,” another voice says too quickly.
I follow the sound.
A man I barely recognize.
Eyes down.
Hands clasped too tightly.
Ellen Price sits at the council table.
She won’t look at anyone.
My stomach tightens.
The discussion barely lasts two minutes.
Too short.
Too rehearsed.
“Let’s vote,” the mayor says.
One by one, the hands go up.
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Ellen hesitates.
Just for a second.
Long enough for everyone in the room to notice.
Then slowly…
Her hand rises too.
The room goes silent.
Miller jumps to his feet.
“You’re selling us out!”
Ellen flinches like the words hit her physically.
The mayor slams the gavel down.
“Order!”
But no one is listening.
Saint doesn’t stand.
He doesn’t say a word.
He just goes very, very still.
And suddenly I understand something terrible.
They didn’t lose because they were outnumbered.
They lost because someone was scared enough to fold first.