Chapter 85 Saint
Saint
Idon’t tell Laney when I wake up.
I stay still and listen to her breathe.
There are a thousand things I should be doing. Calls to make. Pieces to move. Men to position in place.
Instead, I lie there and memorize the weight of her against me and pretend the world is decent for five more minutes.
Emmy stirs before either of us do.
I’m already reaching for her when she makes that small, uncertain sound. Laney shifts, but I beat her to it and lift Emmy out of the bassinet.
She fits in my arms like she always has.
Like she always will.
That thought settles into me with frightening certainty.
I walk her gently, murmuring nonsense until she quiets. When Laney sits up, sleepy and beautiful, I hand Emmy over and sit beside her while she feeds her.
One hand rests between her shoulder blades.
Not holding.
Anchoring.
When Emmy goes back to sleep, Laney lies down again. This time she doesn’t curl away.
She moves closer.
That’s when the decision finishes forming.
Not begins.
Finishes.
They’re not guests.
They’re not temporary.
They’re not something fragile that might disappear if I touch it too hard.
They’re mine.
And anyone who comes for them is going to learn what Rangers do when lines are crossed.
Laney dozes off again.
I don’t.
I slip out of bed, dress quietly, and step into the hall.
Wolf is already up.
So is Havoc.
Nora is in the kitchen with coffee strong like we all like it.
“Morning,” Havoc says. “You look like you’re about to start a war.”
“Not start,” I say. “Finish.”
We gather in the office.
I show them Marco’s message on my phone.
Proof.
Real proof.
“Today,” I say. “We lock the net.”
Wolf nods. “Mildred’s attack changes the urgency.”
“It changes the rules,” I say. “No more waiting. No more watching.”
I start assigning.
Wolf handles hospital security and Mildred’s house.
Havoc gets Laney and Emmy’s movement plan—routes, backups, decoys.
Nora starts quietly relocating anything that ties Laney to predictable routines.
“Laney doesn’t know yet,” Havoc says.
“She doesn’t need to,” I reply. “Not until it’s done.”
Nora studies me. “You’re not just protecting her anymore.”
“No,” I say. “I’m keeping my family alive.”
That lands.
Wolf’s mouth tightens. “You sure you’re ready to draw that line with her?”
“I already did,” I say. “She just hasn’t seen where it’s drawn yet.”
We’re finishing up when my phone buzzes.
Unknown number.
I already know who it is.
I step outside.
“Yes,” I say.
“You’re moving faster than you should,” Marco’s mother’s voice says.
“You’re losing,” I reply.
A pause.
Then, colder, “You underestimate me.”
“No, you underestimated the Rangers.”
“This ends badly for someone you love.”
I look up at the window where Laney and Emmy are sleeping.
“This ends for you.”
And I hang up.
When I go back inside, the plan is already in motion.
And for the first time in my life…
I am not fighting for a mission.
I am fighting for my family.