Page 101 of Mortify

"Sleep," I tell her. "I'll be right here."

"Promise?"

"Always."

She drifts off, still holding both our hands.

Kraken and I sit in silence, watching her breathe, watching the monitors that track two heartbeats.

"Thank you," he says suddenly.

"For what?"

"For being there when she needed someone. For loving her enough to do the right thing and stand by her."

"Wasn't a hard choice to make," I say. "She's everything I never knew I wanted."

"Yeah, she has that effect." He's quiet for a moment. "My brother was a good man, had his demons, but was good. His wife was the same. I never thought I’d end up adopting my niece because of a murder-suicide, but that little curly-haired blonde girl saved my fucking life."

"You saved her."

"No, she saved us," he corrects. "Gave us purpose when we were drowning. And now..." He gestures at her stomach. "Next generation. Another chance to get it right."

"We'll keep them safe," I promise. "Both of them."

"I know you will." He stands, stretching. "I'm gonna call Magnolia. Let everyone know she's okay."

He steps out, leaving me alone with Everly.

I study her face, peaceful now in sleep.

Hard to believe that hours ago I was killing men in a warehouse, and now I'm holding vigil over the woman and child I love.

Life's funny that way.

The Patriot's dead, but the war's not over.

Dylan's still out there.

The baby's still in danger.

But sitting here in this sterile room, listening to the steady beep of monitors, feeling her pulse under my fingers...

I've never been more sure of anything in my life.

This is my family.

This is what I'll kill to protect.

This is what I'll die for to keep safe.

The Patriot learned that tonight.

Dylan will learn it soon.

Anyone who threatens them will learn that Regnor Walsh doesn't play when it comes to his own.

My phone buzzes—text from Runes:

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