Jake
Four in the morning. The amber glow of the security console hummed against the basement brick, casting long shadows across the oak church table. Bradley Vance and Detective Hayes were moving before dawn, trying to push an emergency ex-parte custody petition through Judge Miller under the guise of an urgent welfare check. If Miller signed it, Hayes would have legal authority to bring armed units through our gates before breakfast.
Beside me, Emma stood staring at the tactical screen. She looked pale and exhausted, her fingers trembling slightly—the only outward sign of the toll this night had taken on her and the unborn baby she fought so fiercely to protect.
I stepped behind her, gently sliding my arms around her waist. She leaned back against the leather of my cut, her breathing
