Chapter 46 Ethan
Ethan
“No.”
The word is out before I can stop it.
Ava looks up from the tablet.
Calm.
Too calm.
Like she didn’t just take two bullets and walk away from it.
“We don’t have time for—”
“You’re not going.”
Flat.
Final.
The room stills.
Jonah glances between us.
Aaron mutters something under his breath—low, amused.
Ava’s eyes lock onto mine.
Sharp.
“You don’t get to make that call.”
“I absolutely do.”
Her jaw tightens.
“I’m part of this mission. I brought you in.”
“And you’re bleeding through two bandages.”
That lands.
I see it.
But it doesn’t stop her.
She pushes off the bed anyway.
A flicker of pain crosses her face—
gone just as fast.
“I can still fight.”
I step in front of her.
Close.
Too close to pretend this is tactical.
“This isn’t about whether you can,” I say, voice low. “It’s about whether you should.”
Her chin lifts.
Defiant.
“You need me.”
“I do.”
No hesitation.
That throws her.
Just enough.
Then—
“But not out there.”
Silence settles between us.
Heavy.
She studies me, searching past the control—past the order—looking for what’s underneath.
“You think I’ll slow you down.”
“No.”
My voice drops.
“You get hit again out there… I won’t be thinking about anything else.”
That one lands.
Deep.
Because she knows it’s true.
“I won’t risk you,” I add, quieter now.
Not as a teammate.
Not as a soldier.
As hers.
A beat—
Then Jonah clears his throat.
Careful.
Strategic.
“Uh… not to interrupt the emotional standoff—but we actually need her.”
We both turn.
He lifts the tablet.
“The list is updating in real time. Whoever’s running this? They’re adjusting to us.”
Ava’s focus snaps back instantly.
“Adaptive targeting.”
“Yeah,” Jonah says. “And she’s the only one who understands how they think.”
I look back at her.
She already knows.
“You stay here,” I say slowly. “You run point.”
Her brow lifts.
“Command?”
“You track them,” I continue. “You stay in comms. You stay ahead of them.”
Her pulse jumps at her throat.
I see it.
She wants to be out there.
Fighting.
Bleeding.
Winning.
But this—
this matters more.
“You keep them alive,” I finish.
That shifts something.
Not surrender.
Choice.
“You trust me with that?” she asks.
“With everything.”
No hesitation.
Silence stretches—
Then she nods.
Once.
Sharp.
“Fine. But you follow my lead.”
A faint smirk pulls at my mouth.
“Always do.”
Aaron snorts.
“Wow. That’s a lie.”
I ignore him.
Step closer.
Lower my voice.
Just for her.
“You stay safe here.”
Her lips press together.
“You come back.”
Not a request.
A condition.
My hand brushes hers.
Brief.
Enough.
“I always do.”
Her fingers catch mine.
Hold.
Then let go.
“Don’t make me regret this.”
I hold her gaze.
“Not a chance.”