“Adrian will understand. He has Noah. He knows what it's like to have something worth living for.” Sebastian crouched again, met Thomas's eyes. “Listen to me carefully. We're giving you a chance.One chance. You're going to go with the people we send. Get medical attention. Then you disappear. New identity. New city. You and your daughter both.”
Thomas nodded. Weak. Desperate. “I understand. Thank you. Thank you.”
“Don't thank me yet. You're not safe until Adrian says you're safe.” Sebastian stood. Looked at me. “Make the call.”
I pulled out my comm. Reluctant but recognizing when I'd lost this argument. “Adrian. Need extraction and medical. One witness. Non-hostile. Needs protection and relocation.”
Static. Then Adrian's voice, sharp and questioning. “You're keeping a witness alive? That's not protocol, Viktor.”
“Is not my call. Is prince's call.”
A pause. Long enough that I thought Adrian might refuse. Then: “Coordinates?”
I rattled them off. Heard Adrian relay orders to someone in the background. Luka, probably. Or one of his people who specialized in making problems disappear without leaving bodies.
“Extraction in twenty minutes,” Adrian said. “And Viktor? This better not come back to bite us.”
“If it does, I will handle it personally.”
“See that you do.” The line went dead.
Sebastian was already moving to the sink. Filling a cup with water. He brought it back to Thomas. Helped him drink despite the broken fingers. Despite everything we'd done to him.
“They'll be here soon,” Sebastian said. “Stay awake. Stay quiet. When they arrive, do exactly what they tell you. No questions. No hesitation.”
“My daughter—” Thomas started.
“Will be safe. I give you my word.” Sebastian's voice carried weight. Authority. The kind that made promises feel like oaths. “But you have to hold up your end. Disappear. Stay disappeared. Live quietly. Be the father Riley needs you to be.”
Thomas nodded. Tears streaming down his face again. Butdifferent tears now. Not pain. Something closer to hope mixed with disbelief.
We waited in silence. Sebastian standing guard by the window. Me watching Thomas. Making sure he didn't try anything stupid. Making sure he stayed conscious long enough for extraction.
Twenty minutes felt like hours.
Then headlights cut through the darkness outside. A van. Unmarked. Luka climbed out first, followed by two men I didn't recognize. Professionals. The kind who knew how to move people without questions.
I opened the door. Luka looked at Thomas. Then at me. Eyebrow raised.
“Prince's orders,” I said.
“Prince has a soft heart.” But Luka was already moving. Checking Thomas's injuries with practiced efficiency. “Can you walk?”
“I think so.”
“Good. Then let's go. Long drive ahead.” Luka glanced at Sebastian. “Adrian says you're paying for medical and relocation. Hope this one's worth it.”
“He will be,” Sebastian said. “Or Viktor will make sure he isn't a problem anymore.”
Luka grinned. Sharp. Predatory. “Fair enough.” He hauled Thomas to his feet. Gentle despite his size. “Come on, Thomas Miller. Let's get you and Riley somewhere safe. Somewhere Ghost Zero will never find you.”
Thomas looked back at us as they led him out. Mouth forming words he couldn't quite say. Gratitude or disbelief or some combination of both.
Then he was gone. Van pulling away into the night. Taillights disappearing into rain.
Silence settled over the farmhouse again.
Sebastian exhaled. Long and slow. “You think I'm weak.”
