The sunlight that filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Sonoma house was too bright, too peaceful. I woke up with my neck stiff, in a huge bedroom that clearly did not remember how I got there. The last thing I remembered was sitting on the plastic-covered leather sofa in the living room. For a terrifying second, I didn't know where I was. Then, the rhythmic sound of the Pacific crashing against the cliffs brought it all back.
I had actually slept. Truly, deeply slept for the first time since the news of Asher's death. My heart ,my world had shattered .
"Mommy?"
I sat up, squinting against the glare. Leo was standing by the edge of the bed, clutching his favorite stuffed wolf. His hair was a mess of curls, and his eyes were wide and curious.
"Hey, baby," I rasped, reaching out to pull him into a hug. He smelled like sleep and innocence.
"Is it school time?" he asked, looking toward the door. "Nanny B said we moved, but my backpack is still in the other house. Am I going to be late?"
My heart squeezed. He was five; he lived for his routine, his friends, and his gold stars. To him, the world was still a place that ran on a schedule.
"No school today, Leo," I said, forced a smile that felt tight on my face.
"Is it because we moved mommy? Why are we always moving mommy?"
That question caught me off guard. I cleared my throat. I looked into his eyes as I mustered the courage to smile even in my pain. "Remember how we talked about surprises? Well, we're on an adventure. A big coastal adventure. We had to move fast to get to the 'secret base' before the sun came up."
"An adventure?" His eyes brightened slightly. "Like in the stories? Is Daddy coming to the base, too?"
The question felt like a physical blow to my chest. I swallowed the lump in my throat and tucked a curl behind his ear. "Daddy is... he's on his own mission right now, Leo. But for now, it's just us. You, me, Nanny B, and Justin."
"Okay," he whispered, seemingly satisfied for now. "Can I go see the ocean?"
"Stay with Nanny B on the deck, okay? Don't go near the railings."
As he ran off toward the kitchen, I felt the weight of my life settle back onto my shoulders. I reached for my phone. First, I called the hospital.
"St. Jude's, Surgical Department," the receptionist's voice was a sharp contrast to the quiet of the house.
"It's Dr. Valentine," I said, my voice gaining its professional edge. "I'm calling to check on Marcus Reed and a Miller that was brought in .He was brought in last night with a GSW to the shoulder."
"One moment, Doctor... Yes, Mr. Miller is in post-op. He's stable and resting. The police were here earlier asking for a statement, but the Chief of Surgery deferred them until the patient is more alert." And Mr Marcus Reed is responding positively to his treatment ma'am.
"Good. And please tell Dr. Aris that I won't be coming in today... or for the next few days. Family emergency. I'll send a formal email when I can."
I hung up before she could ask questions. Next, I did the one thing I told myself I wouldn't do. I dialed Asher's private number.
The subscriber you are trying to reach is currently unavailable...
The cold, mechanical voice was my only answer. I gripped the phone, a fresh wave of anger and grief washing over me. "Damn you, Asher," I whispered to the empty room.
I stood up and walked toward the guest wing. I found Justin standing by the front window, his shadow long against the hardwood floor. He was still wearing his tactical vest, though he had unzipped it. His eyes were bloodshot, his jaw shadowed with stubble. He hadn't blinked in twenty-four hours.
"Justin," I said softly.
He turned instantly, his hand twitching toward his waist before he realized it was me. "Doctor. You're awake."
"Go to bed, Justin. That's an order."
He started to protest. "I need to monitor the—"
"The perimeter is locked, the cameras are live, and we are miles from anyone who wants to hurt us. If you drop from exhaustion, you're no use to me. Sleep for six hours. Nanny B and I will keep an eye on the monitors."
He hesitated, then finally let out a long, ragged breath. "Six hours. Then I'm back on."
"Deal. Go."
As he disappeared into the guest room, I walked back to the window. For the first time, I looked out at the vast, blue horizon. We were safe. For two now, the world would have to wait. There were no vans, no shooters, and no Reeds here. Just the salt, the silence, and the lie I had told my son.
I just hoped I could live with it.
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