Page 32 of King's Reckoning
"Abby," Rowan said, a note of defeat laced with her determined tone. "She must have figured out where we'd go. Where Mom would have hidden the most important evidence."
"Then we need to move," King said. "There's another exit through—"
"No." Rowan's voice was firm as she turned to face them. "You all go. Take the artifacts, the research. Get it somewhere safe." She met Reed's eyes, saw the protest forming. "I'll create a diversion. Lead them away. Give you time to escape."
"Not happening," Reed said flatly.
"He's right," King added. "We're not leaving you."
The sound of boots approaching grew steadily louder. Rowan could hear radio chatter now—the teams coordinating their advance.
"I'm not asking," she said quietly. "Mom died protecting these discoveries. Died making sure I'dfind my way here someday." She squared her shoulders, feeling Elena's strength flow through her. "This is what I was prepared for. What she trusted me to do."
"Rowan..." Reed started.
She silenced him with a kiss—hard and desperate and full of everything she couldn't say. When they broke apart, his eyes were dark with emotion.
"Together," he reminded her softly.
"Together," she agreed. Then she stepped back, drawing her weapon as she assessed their options. "But we need to split up. Give them multiple targets. Increase our chances."
King nodded his understanding. "Three teams. Barbara and Ace, take the artifacts through the eastern passage. Darkness leads half the brothers through the northern tunnel. Reed, Rowan, and I will create the diversion."
The plan was sound. The tunnels branched in multiple directions, and if they could split Blackwood's forces, at least some of them would get through with the vital evidence.
As the others prepared to move out, King pulled Rowan aside. "Your mother would be proud," he said quietly. "Not just of what you're doing, but of who you've become."
The words touched something deep inside her. "I spent my whole life training for this moment. Following her plans. But now I'm making my own choices." She glanced at Reed,who was coordinating with the other brothers. "Creating my own path."
"That's what she wanted," King said. "For you to be free to choose your own way. That's why she kept you away from all this for so long."
Rowan felt a deeper understanding of her mother's choices wash over her. Not calculation or manipulation, but love. The deepest kind of love, willing to sacrifice everything to give her daughter freedom.
"Ready?" Reed asked, returning to her side.
Rowan nodded, feeling clarity she hadn't experienced before. This had become about so much more than just following her mother’s plans. This was about protecting a truth that powerful interests wanted buried. About standing with the family she'd found.
About choosing her own destiny.
"Let's go," she said.
As the groups separated, heading for different tunnels, Rowan moved with Reed and King toward the approaching forces. The first security team rounded the corner, weapons raised. Rowan took up position, feeling a calm certainty settle over her.
She was Elena's daughter. King's blood. Trained all her life for this moment.
Let them come.
She was ready.
Smoke curled from Rowan's gun barrel as she surveyed the aftermath around her. The ancient tunnel bore fresh marks from bullet holes now pockmarking walls that had stood untouched for decades. Two of Blackwood's security team lay wounded but alive. But it wasn't over. It was never over.
More would come. They'd track their fallen men, follow the trail through the tunnels. Their radios would give away Rowan's position, and that made her both a target and diversion.
Her earpiece crackled and Reed's voice cut through the ringing in her ears. "Clear on the west exit. No pursuit. You need to move now."
"Negative," Rowan replied, checking her ammunition. "They'll just follow me to your position. I need to—"
"To what?" King's voice interrupted. "Die protecting us like your mother did? Not happening. Get to the rendezvous point. That's an order."
