Page 58 of Sanctuary

Relief washed through me, temporarily easing the knot of tension in my chest. “Thank you,” I said, meaning it. “I know you didn’t have to do that.”

Rory studied me over the rim of his coffee mug. “We didn’t do it for you or her,” he said bluntly. “We did it because it was the right call tactically. We can’t afford to have Matheson holding leverage over you today.”

I accepted that with a nod. “Fair enough.”

A silence stretched between us, not entirely comfortable but not hostile either. I could feel him watching me, analyzing, calculating.

“You know,” he said finally, “I’ve been trying to figure out why Declan hasn’t had you locked up or worse. Beyond the fact that you’re Wren’s sister.”

I met his gaze steadily. “And?”

“And I think it’s because of Connor.” Rory set his mug down. “I’ve never seen him like this—not with anyone. He’s always been the planner, the one who thinks with his head. Goofy at times but that was before he had clan captain thrown at him. But with you...” He trailed off, shaking his head slightly.

“He’s making a mistake,” I said quietly, the words painful but necessary. “Trusting me.”

Rory’s eyebrow rose. “Is he?”

The question caught me off guard. I’d expected agreement, not challenge.

“I was sent to kill his brother,” I reminded him. “And then him.”

“But you didn’t,” Rory pointed out. “Despite having multiple opportunities. Despite knowing the consequences of failure.” He leaned forward slightly. “Why?”

I looked down at my coffee, watching the steam rise in delicate curls. “I told you all yesterday— Because I saw what family could be, not the twisted version Matheson created in the agency. I saw how you all protect each other, how you fight for each other.”

“The truth,” he interrupted. “Just me. No audience, no performance. Why didn’t you complete your mission?”

The directness of his question demanded equal honesty. I took a deep breath.

I hesitated, then pushed on. “I fell for Connor the second I saw him. It wasn’t part of the plan. It wasn’t supposed to happen. But it did.”

Rory nodded slowly, as if confirming something he’d already suspected. “That’s what I thought.”

“Does it change anything?” I asked.

“Maybe.” He stood, moving to refill his coffee. “Love makes people do unexpected things—both good and bad. The question is whether your love for Connor is stronger than your fear of Matheson.”

“It is,” I said without hesitation. “I would die to protect him. To protect all of you.”

He turned to face me, his expression serious. “That’s what I’m counting on.”

Before I could respond, the kitchen door swung open, and Declan entered. He paused momentarily upon seeing me, his posture stiffening slightly before he continued to the coffee pot.

“Morning,” he said, his voice deliberately neutral. “You’re both up early.”

“Couldn’t sleep,” Rory replied, exchanging a glance with me. “Too much on my mind.”

Declan poured himself a cup of coffee, his movements precise and controlled. “I’ve been going over the estate’s security feeds from last night. All clear so far.”

“They won’t make a move until tonight,” I said, setting my mug on the counter. “Matheson prefers to operate under cover of darkness. Less witnesses, easier to control the narrative if things go wrong.”

Declan’s jaw tightened slightly at my casual assessment, but he nodded. “Exactly what I would do. We should use the daylight hours to finalize our preparations.”

The kitchen door swung open again as Connor entered, his hair still damp from a shower. His eyes found mine immediately, a silent question in them that I answered with a small nod—I’m okay.

“What did I miss?” he asked, moving to stand beside me, his shoulder brushing mine in a subtle show of support.

“Just discussing timing,” Rory explained. “Mia believes they’ll wait until dark to make their move.”

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