Chapter 8 - The Price of Justice
The mountain wind howled through the pines as night fell over the cabin once again, but the atmosphere inside was entirely transformed.
The fear and isolation that had defined Ren Callaway's life for three long years had been replaced by a quiet, lethal resolve. She sat at the kitchen table, watching Orion as he dictated orders into his encrypted satellite phone with the cold precision of a general preparing for war.
"I want Cole's financial records pulled by midnight," Orion commanded into the receiver. "Every offshore account, every bribe payment, every medical board tie. And bring in the original patient transfer logs from St. Jude's Hospital three years ago. If that little girl is still alive, I want her found."
He clicked the phone shut and tossed it onto the table, turning his attention back to Ren.
"You don't have to do this," Ren murmured, looking down at her hands. "I survived out here. I built a life."
"You built a prison," Orion corrected gently, pulling out the chair opposite her and sitting down. "You hid in the dark because good people were forced to run while corrupt cowards ruled the light. That ends now."
"And what happens when your enemies retaliate?" she asked, her hazel eyes searching his face. "Your world doesn't play fair, Orion. People get caught in the crossfire."
"My world is changing," Orion said, reaching across the table to cover her trembling hand with his large, warm palm. "From the moment my father walked through your door, your fight became my fight. And nobody touches anyone under the protection of the Steel family."
Ren stared down at his hand over hers. For the first time in three years, the phantom weight of guilt and fear lifted from her chest.
May you like
Across the room, Caesar let out a long sigh, dropping his heavy head onto his paws as if he finally approved of the arrangements.
Aldrich, resting comfortably on the cot in the corner, watched the two of them with a knowing, satisfied smirk before closing his eyes to sleep.
