Unless—
Unless they split their forces. Unless the three I engaged were a distraction while others approached from a different vector, counting on me to focus my attention southwest.
Willow.
I sprint through the forest, no longer concerned with stealth. Snow whips against my face, branches claw at my tactical gear, but I barely notice. Every cell, every fiber of my being, is focused on reaching the cabin, on protecting what’s mine.
The world narrows to running footsteps and rasping breath, to the primal need to reach her before it’s too late.
I break through the tree line as more gunfire erupts—but this time, it’s coming from inside the cabin, directed outward.
Through the swirling snow, I make out two figures taking cover behind an overturned snowmobile. Their attention is fixed on the cabin windows, where someone returns fire with precise, disciplined shots.
Not Willow.
She’s safe in the hidden compartment.
Which means?—
The pieces click into place as a figure materializes from thetrees to my right—tall, bearded, moving with the unmistakable economy of special forces. Ryan. My second-in-command.
The cavalry arrived ahead of schedule.
Relief floods through me, followed immediately by renewed focus. I signal Ryan with a quick hand gesture—two tangos, northwest position—and receive a curt nod in response. Two more shapes emerge from the forest to the east. Martinez and Jackson complete an improvised pincer movement.
The men by the snowmobile never stand a chance. Caught in the crossfire from four directions, they’re neutralized in seconds—one dead from Ryan’s shot to the head, the other wounded and subdued by Martinez and Jackson.
I approach the cabin cautiously, weapon at the ready, but a familiar whistle from within confirms it’s secured. When I push through the door, I find our team’s sniper, Cooper, positioned at the window, rifle trained on the tree line.
“Ghost.” He nods without taking his eyes from his scope. “Welcome to the party.”
“Status?” I scan the cabin for signs of disturbance, relieved to find everything relatively intact. The hidden door to the safe room remains closed, undisturbed.
“Five tangos total. Two on the snowmobile, three in the woods.” Cooper’s voice is as calm as if he’s discussing the weather. “You got the ones in the woods?”
“Yes.” I move toward the bedroom. “Perimeter?”
“Secured. Martinez has drone surveillance up. No more incoming detected.” He raises an eyebrow at the blood on my face. “You look like shit.”
“You’re late,” I counter, already moving toward the bedroom.
Cooper’s laugh follows me. “No, man. You’re just always early to the fight.”
In the bedroom, I trigger the hidden mechanism. Thefloor panel slides back with a soft click, revealing Willow’s pale face blinking up at me.
Bear’s positioned as a living shield—his two-hundred-pound frame curled around her, one massive paw resting on her arm. The dog’s protective instincts transform him from a gentle giant to a deadly guardian. His head lifts the moment the panel moves, a low rumble vibrating deep in his chest.
The Newfoundland’s dark eyes assess me first, checking for threats before giving a soft woof of recognition. He nudges Willow protectively, as if asking if she’s okay, then turns that massive head toward me and snorts, a quiet reprimand for staying gone too long.
Willow’s relief hits like a punch to the sternum—raw and immediate—but it’s quickly chased by concern as her gaze locks on the blood tracking down the side of my face.
“You’re hurt.” She surges upright, her fingers flying to her mouth. “What happened?” She reaches for me, fear and worry warring in her eyes.
Bear shifts as she moves, making space but staying close, his body still angled between her and the door. He’s absorbed her fear, made her safety his singular mission. The bond between them, formed in such a short time, speaks to both Willow’s gentle nature and Bear’s extraordinary instincts.
“Not mine,” I lie, extending a hand to help her out. “It’s over. We’re secure.”
She takes my hand, letting me pull her to her feet. Bear follows, shaking himself and immediately moving to investigate the new scents in the cabin. Willow steps into my arms without hesitation, her body trembling against mine as delayed shock sets in.
