Chapter 69
Ethan
Ronan steps in first.
“All hostiles down. Site secure.”
Aaron leans against the doorway, wiping blood from his jaw with the back of his hand.
“For the record? That was insane.”
Jonah doesn’t even look up.
“Still processing.”
I don’t answer.
My focus stays where it’s been.
On her.
Ava shifts, testing her balance as she stands.
Slow.
Careful.
Still recovering.
But upright.
Free.
That’s what matters.
I move in, sliding an arm around her before she can steady herself fully.
“Easy.”
She lets me.
That alone tells me how much she’s running on empty.
“You good?”
She nods.
“Yeah.”
Then a small smile.
“But I think I’m done getting shot for a while.”
A breath of a laugh leaves me.
“Let’s make that permanent.”
Her eyes lift to mine.
Different now.
Lighter.
“Yeah,” she says. “I’d like that.”
I pull her in just a little closer.
Enough to feel her against me.
Solid.
Here.
Alive.
“This isn’t over,” Ronan adds. “Hayes is still out there.”
My gaze hardens.
“I know.”
Ava looks up at me.
No fear.
Just resolve.
“We’ll find him.”
I nod once.
“We will.”
Because this?
This isn’t the end.
But for the first time—
it feels like we’re not behind anymore.