Page 38 of Silent Dust
As they entered the hospital room, Bear’s heart raced. Flora lay in the bed, her eyes fluttering open as they stepped inside. He could see the faint shadows under her eyes, a testament to the struggle she had endured, but there was also a flicker of recognition as she caught sight of them.
“Mommy!” Kenzi and Amelia squealed, rushing to her side, their excitement bubbling over. Bear watched as Flora’s expression shifted, a mixture of joy and exhaustion washing over her face.
“Hey, my sweet girls,” Flora said softly, her voice a gentle whisper. Bear could see the love radiating from her, and it filled him with warmth.
Rhys lingered back for a moment, his apprehension still evident. Bear knelt beside him, offering a reassuring smile. “Go on, buddy. She’s waiting for you.”
With a deep breath, Rhys stepped forward, his eyes wide as he approached Flora. Bear held his breath, hoping to see the connection spark between them. Flora’s gaze softened as she met Rhys’s eyes, and in that moment, the room seemed to fill with love.
“Mom,” Rhys said, his voice barely above a whisper, “Are you really alright? I missed you.”
Flora’s face lit up, and she reached out her hand, beckoning him closer. “I missed you too, sweetheart. I’m getting better.”
As Rhys moved to her side, Bear felt a wave of relief wash over him. This was what they had all been waiting for, the moment when Flora could reconnect with her family, the moment that would put all the pieces of their lives back together again.
Bear watched quietly from the corner of the hospital room as Rhys, Kenzi, and Amelia curled up on the bed with their mom. The girls were tucked in close, their small bodies pressed against Flora’s side, while Rhys sat at her feet, eyes steady and protective. It was a rare moment of calm in the chaos, and Bear felt a quiet pride settle in his chest.
One by one, the team filtered in, each bringing their own brand of comfort. Moose was first, cracking a joke with his usual deadpan delivery that made Flora’s lips twitch into a genuine smile despite the exhaustion. “I told the doc he needed to hurry up and make you better, I’m needing those gooey chocolate chip cookies with sugar sprinkles you make. I swear, those things are the real reason we keep coming back in one piece.”
Warden followed with a firm hug, his presence steady and reassuring. Nova stopped by with a quick word of encouragement, her eyes warm and sincere. Blast came in next,offering a grin and a thumbs-up that somehow made the room feel lighter.
Dog lingered a moment longer, giving Flora a gentle squeeze on the shoulder before nodding to Bear as if to say, “We’ve got her.”
Link stepped into the room, his easygoing grin still plastered across his face, but with a warmth that ran deeper than usual. His eyes flicked toward Flora’s bed, full of genuine respect and a gratitude that only someone who saw her as a second mom could carry. Bear watched as Link’s expression softened, a rare thing for him.
Link had been with the team just over a year now, and since the day he’d joined, Flora had taken him under her wing like he was her own. She’d helped him find his footing, kept him grounded when he was about to float away with all his youthful bravado.
“Flora,” Link said, voice calm but laced with that familiar spark of excitement, “this is Samir. He’s been helping us out overseas — mostly by setting off fireworks as a distraction. Think of him as our resident chaos coordinator. He got a whole bunch of kids together, had a blast doing it… basically, he’s built-in trouble, just like the rest of us.”
Samir gave a small, tentative smile, stepping cautious but willing to meet Flora’s gaze.
Link’s smile widened, that glint of pride flickering in his eyes. “And…he’s my son now. Figured it was about time you met the newest member of the team family.”
Bear’s brow lifted instinctively at that. He’d always known Link was quick to jump into things, to throw himself into the deep end headfirst. But hearing him actually announce, so bluntly and casually—this kid, the newest “son”—it caught him off guard. Yet what really made his chest tighten was the way Link wasn’t just announcing it; he was claiming him. Like Samirbelonged right here with them—no “adopted” label needed, just part of the team, part of the family. There was a fatherly pride behind those words, a fierce protectiveness, like nothing could change what they had.
Flora’s tired eyes softened, and she reached out a hand to Samir. Bear saw the unspoken welcome in that simple gesture, the way family stretched beyond bloodlines in this room. Flora touched Samir’s cheek softly and smiled, and said in a somewhat joking manner, “My first grandson.”
Bear stepped forward then, feeling the weight of the moment. The team was here, the kids were safe, and Flora—well, she was still fighting. And that was enough for now.
The team filed out, leaving Bear, Flora, and the kids in a bubble of quiet. Meanwhile, just down the hall, trouble’s already knocking.
23 - CHARLOTTE
Hiding in plain sight,Charlotte reveled in her transformation. With her new hair color—dark and sleek, styled in a way that framed her face perfectly—she felt like a new woman, a chameleon blending seamlessly into the background. She had swapped her usual tailored blazers for a more casual look, opting for oversized sweaters and jeans that obscured her figure. Different color contacts altered the shade of her eyes, and the oversized, thick-framed glasses she wore added an air of unassuming intelligence. She was confident that no one would recognize her, not even those who once knew her well.
From her vantage point, Charlotte watched as Bear and the whole freaking team entered Flora’s room, her heart racing with a mix of anger and disbelief. It was as if Flora had just risen from the dead, and the way Bear rushed to her side ignited a firestorm of jealousy within Charlotte. How dare he? How dare they all act as if Flora was the center of the universe when Charlotte had been the one pulling the strings all along?
She felt a wave of frustration wash over her as she realized that her plans to eliminate Flora would have to wait. The hospital was crawling with guards, and now Bear and his entire team were on high alert, creating an impenetrable barrieraround Flora. It was infuriating. Charlotte couldn’t just waltz in and do what she needed to do; she had to be smart, strategic.
“Time to go back to the storage unit,” she muttered to herself, her voice barely a whisper, laced with venom. She could feel the intensity of her thoughts swirling around her like a tempest. “I need to regroup and come up with a new plan.”
She had to stay close, to watch and wait for the right moment. Flora’s vulnerability would reveal itself; it always did. People were predictable, driven by their emotions and weaknesses. If she could just bide her time, lull them into a false sense of security, she would find the opening she needed.
As she turned to leave, a sinister smile crept onto her lips. The idea of stepping back for a week or two felt exhilarating. It was a game, and she was the master strategist, orchestrating every move from the shadows. She would let Flora bask in her moment of triumph, let her think she was safe. But Charlotte knew better; she would be watching, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
The thrill of the hunt intoxicated her. She was not done yet—not by a long shot. Flora might have the upper hand for now, but Charlotte was nothing if not resilient. She would reclaim her narrative, and when the time was right, she would make sure that Flora paid dearly for every moment of happiness she had stolen.
With renewed determination, Charlotte slipped away from her hiding spot, her heart racing with the possibilities that lay ahead. She was a force to be reckoned with, and no one—especially not Flora—could take that away from her. The game was far from over; it was just beginning.
