Page 23 of Fierce Hope
The line died.
Jade’s phone slipped. Deke caught it before impact, his other hand automatically steadying her elbow as he guided her to the couch. She sank down, pale but with jaw set in a stubborn line he was coming to recognize.
“I won’t let them chase me away,” she whispered.
She looked up then, and something electric passed between them—trust layered with fear layered with ... something more. He squeezed her shoulder gently, felt her lean into the contact.
“We’ll find them,” he promised. And added silently:Even if I have to uncover every secret you’re hiding to do it.
He pulled out his phone, fingers flying across the screen: “Need urgent trace on unknown caller. Priority one.”
His phone buzzed almost immediately. Not his team responding to the trace request, but the group chat about Izzy’s daughter’s upcoming birthday.
Kenji: Do they make glitter-free decorations for six-year-olds? Asking
for everyone’s sanity.
Maya: Lol. Embrace the sparkle, it’s happening either way.
Izzy: My house is still recovering from last year’s party.
Kenji: Maybe we could do an outdoor party?
Maya: In your dreams. Just wait till the unicorn piñata explodes.
Izzy: You’re all saints for helping. Even if you’re enabling my
daughter’s glitter addiction.
Deke snorted. “The unstoppable force that is my team.” He turned the phone toward Jade. “Planning Izzy’s daughter’s birthday party.”
A real smile flickered briefly. Warmth in the midst of cold fear. For just a moment, normal life broke through—kids had birthdays, parents fought losing battles against craft supplies, and people loved each other enough to endure glitter.
Thank You, Lord, for those reminders.
He turned back to the security system. The final sensor emitted a sharp chirp as it connected.
“You’ll get an alert if anyone approaches.” He checked the connection one final time. “And so will I.”
“Thank you.” Her voice wavered slightly. “I’m sorry you have to do all this.”
“Don’t be.” His voice roughened. “You’re not in this alone, Jade.”
Their eyes locked. Something shifted. Raw. Elemental.
“Call me,” he said, throat tight. “Day. Night. Anytime.”
She lifted her chin, steel lacing her spine despite the fear. “I won’t let them push me out of my own life.”
The moment stretched, heavy with words neither was ready to voice. Then Deke gathered his tools, and Jade walked him to the door. He waited until he heard all three locks engage before heading down the stairs, gaze sweeping for watchers.
The parking lot stretched empty before him. Deke approached Jade’s car under the guise of checking the dash cam. One smooth movement, and the GPS tracker was secured underneath—invisible but vigilant.
He needed to know she was safe. The justification echoed hollowly. Even as another voice whispered this crossed a line.
As he drove away, the distorted warning replayed in his mind:Stop digging.
His jaw clenched. “Not happening,” he muttered. “I’m not letting you hurt her.”
