Naomi’s Pov

The safehouse felt different when we got back.

Not calmer. Not safer.

Just… heavier.

Like the walls had listened to everything we hadn’t said in the van and decided to hold onto it for us.

The girls were awake in the living room, sitting close together on the couch. One of them looked up the moment we walked in, eyes darting straight to Cassian like she’d been waiting to see him again. He noticed. Of course he did.

“You’re back,” she said quietly.

Cassian nodded. “Yeah. We’re back.”

His voice was steady, but his shoulders were still tight. He scanned the room the way he always did exits,...