Lance clenched his jaw. His fingers tightened around the phone.
A soft touch on his arm made him turn. Evelyn was awake, her eyes searching his face. She had heard enough to know what was happening.
“Lance, no,” she whispered, shaking her head. “You're retired... You don't need to do this.”
He cupped her cheek gently. “Evelyn, I have to do this.”
“No, you don’t,” she pleaded, her grip on his wrist tightening. “You promised me. You promised us.”
His heart twisted at the fear in her eyes, but he could not ignore the duty calling him. “I made another promise long ago—to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”
Evelyn closed her eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek. She knew that look in his eyes. There was no going back, Lance had already made up his mind.
Lance turned back to the
