Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Salem stops short. Her shoulders tense like she’s expecting to be judged. To be treated like a problem. Like an object. I feel something in me go hard and sharp. Not today.
Dean’s gaze locks on Salem. “Salem Bloom,” Dean says. His voice is calm. “You’re safe here.”
Salem’s throat bobs. “I keep hearing that.”
Dean nods slowly like he understands. “You don’t have to believe it yet. Just stand in it for a while.”
Salem’s eyes flick over the group again, wary.
Juno steps forward first, softer. “Hey. I’m Juno. I’m not going to touch you unless you want me to, but I am going to offer you a hug like a normal person.”
Salem blinks. “A normal person.”
Juno smiles. “Normal-ish. I own a taser.”
Salem’s mouth twitches. “Okay,” she says quietly. “That helps.”
Lark pops her chin toward Salem. “I’m Lark. If anyone tries to mess with you again, I volunteer as tribute to ruin their life.”
Knight mutters, “Lark.”
“What?” Lark says. “I’m being welcoming.”
Salem’s eyes flick to Knight. “He always sound like that?”
“Like a grumpy audiobook?” Lark asks. “Yes.”
Knight exhales like he’s regretting every decision that led him here. Salem lets out a small sound that might be a laugh. Good.
River steps closer next, voice gentle. “River Quinn. I… get it. Not the exact same situation. But the aftermath. The fear. The—” She gestures vaguely at the air around her. “—living inside your body like it’s a place you don’t recognize.”
Salem’s gaze softens for half a second.
Gage’s eyes stay on Salem like he’s already mapping threats. “You did good getting out,” he says. Short. Solid. No pity.
Salem nods once, as if she accepts that more easily than comfort.
Rae doesn’t look up from her monitors but speaks into her mic. “Salem, I’m Rae. I’m pulling everything I can from the comms chain. If there’s a name, a location, a payment ledger—anything—I’ll find it.”
Salem’s attention snaps toward the glass. “You can do that?”
Rae’s fingers keep moving. “I already am.”
Dean shifts his stance, taking control of the room without raising his voice. “Here’s where we are. The ring moved Salem through a private channel. The holding location you were in is one of several. We don’t know yet who ordered her specifically or why.”
Salem’s fingers curl slightly at her sides. “Because I’m… valuable.”
Dean’s jaw tightens. “Because they’re predators. That’s the only reason.”
Salem swallows hard. I feel her body tense beside me, and my hand twitches like it wants to touch her shoulder. I don’t. I keep my distance. Because the last thing she needs is a man thinking he’s entitled to her space.
Dean continues. “We need you out of sight while we dig. And we need you safe.”
Sawyer’s gaze slides to me. “Ozzy.”
I straighten slightly. “Yeah.”
Dean’s eyes lock on mine. “You’re taking her to a safehouse.”
Salem’s head turns toward me. “What?”
Dean keeps it simple. “We don’t put you in a place we can’t control. The safehouse is stocked. Secure. Quiet. And you’ll have someone with you.”
Salem’s eyes narrow. “So… I’m being guarded.”
My stomach twists. I hate how familiar that word feels in her mouth.
I lean in slightly, voice low. “Not guarded,” I say. “Protected.”
“That sounds like the same thing with better branding.”
Okay. She’s funny. And stubborn. And… Christ, those eyes. Storm-grey. Like weather rolling in. Like the sky right before lightning. I force myself to focus on the mission, not the way my body reacts to her being within breathing distance.
Dean gestures toward a folder on the table. “Safehouse Rainmaker. High hills, a few towns over. Low traffic. No neighbors close enough to notice anything. You can move around town if you keep it lowkey. No social posts. No new contacts. No attention.”
Salem’s jaw tightens. “I’m not a prisoner.”
“No,” Dean agrees immediately. “You’re a priority.”
Salem’s gaze flicks to me again. “And Ozzy goes with me.”
My mouth opens.
Before I can speak, Arrow says dryly, “Ozzy’s a pain in the ass, but he’s loyal. He’ll keep you alive.”
Juno adds, “And he’ll make sure you eat.”
“Hey,” I protest. “I am not a walking meal plan.”
River snorts. “You literally carry protein bars like currency.”
“That’s called preparedness.”
Lark squints at me. “You also carry gum like a flirtation strategy.”
“That’s called charm.”
Knight mutters, “It’s called annoying.”
Salem watches the exchange like she’s trying to decide if we’re real people or an elaborate hallucination. Then she says, very softly, “Do you all… always talk like this?”
Gage answers, deadpan. “Unfortunately.”
Salem’s shoulders loosen just a little.
Dean’s attention returns to Salem. “You’ll stay at Rainmaker until we have answers. Days, maybe weeks. And Ozzy will coordinate with Rae and the team daily.”
Salem’s gaze sharpens. “What if they come for me?”
Sawyer’s voice is low and steady. “Then they’ll regret it.”
Salem holds his gaze for a beat, then nods once like she believes him.
Juno steps forward with a duffel bag—new, black, clean. “Here,” she says, holding it out. “Clothes, toiletries, basics. Nothing fancy. Just… you stuff.”