Chapter 29 Aspen
Aspen
“No.”
The word comes out fast.
Sharp.
Because I’ve heard this before.
The certainty.
The plan.
The danger.
Joseph had sounded just like that.
Right before he didn’t come home.
My chest tightens painfully.
“I already lost one man to this kind of life,” I whisper.
My voice shakes now.
Not from fear.
From memory.
“I’m not letting my son lose another.”
The word is out before I can stop it.
Everyone turns toward me.
Havoc studies me carefully.
“We can’t just sit here and wait for them to come back,” he says.
“You think going after them is safer?” I fire back.
“Yes.”
The certainty in his voice shakes me.
“This is what we do, Aspen.”
I cross my arms.
“This is my home.”
“And they already turned it into a target.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Truth-filled silence.
I hate that he’s right.
I hate it.
“What happens to Dylan?” I ask quietly.
Havoc’s expression shifts.
Softer.
“We keep him safe.”
“How?”
No hesitation.
“By ending this.”
My chest tightens.
Joseph used to sound like that.
So sure.
So steady.
So willing to walk into danger for the sake of others.
And look where that got him.
I shake my head.
“I already lost one man to this kind of life,” I whisper.
“I’m not—”
I stop.
Because I almost said something I can’t take back.
Havoc goes very still.
“Not what?” he asks quietly.
I look away.
“Nothing.”
But it’s not nothing.
And we both know it.