Chapter 4 Saint
Saint
We hurry so Laney won’t have to see the body again.
Wolf handles that.
Havoc handles the perimeter.
Trigger handles the town police, because the Sheriff is Harper’s father and things move faster when family is involved.
I handle my new family.
Laney and Emmy are moved to the safe room behind the old whiskey storage wall.
Steel door.
Reinforced frame.
No windows.
Two armed men on the outside.
Only then do I head downstairs.
The entire team is already gathered around the bar.
The mood is quiet.
Focused.
This isn’t panic.
This is war prep.
“This wasn’t a scare tactic,” I say.
Everyone looks up.
“This was a clean kill op.”
Trigger nods slowly.
“Two-man team. One breach. One overwatch.”
He leans over the map spread across the table.
“Amateur mistake was coming in blind without knowing the layout.”
“Or assuming no resistance,” Wolf adds.
“They were wrong,” Havoc growls.
I run a hand down my face.
“Thank God I heard something.”
One of the guys shakes his head.
“They almost got to the door.”
The room goes silent for a second.
“Who do we think sent them?” another Ranger asks.
I don’t hesitate.
“Marco Rossi.”
No one argues.
Trigger leans back against the bar.
“That means money.”
“Resources,” Wolf says.
“Reach.”
“And more coming,” Havoc finishes.
“Yes,” I say.
Which is why the next words matter.
“Laney and the baby are now full-time protection detail.”
No one questions it.
No one hesitates.
Trigger nods immediately.
“No more windows.”
“No more routines.”
“No more soft perimeter.”
“And no one leaves her alone,” I add.
Wolf raises an eyebrow.
“Not even you?”
I meet his eyes.
“Especially not me.”
Because something changed tonight.
This isn’t just protection anymore.
This is family.
And anyone who comes through that door again—
isn’t leaving.