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Not even close.

Noah rubbed his thumb over Ruth’s knuckles, trying to ground himself. She was right there, warm and breathing, but it wasn’t enough. He needed to know she was really there—all of her.

Paul met his eyes. “She doesn’t remember conversations? Or full events?”

“Little things,” Noah said, his voice tight. “Like she’s losing pieces of time. It’s not constant, but it’s there.”

Paul exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “She’s not just tired. She’s sicker than she looks.”

Noah swallowed hard. He knew Paul was right.

Then the door opened again, and the room grew crowded fast as Ruth’s family arrived—Charlotte, Sophie, Molly, Isobel, Olivia—followed closely by Brad, Alex, and Evan Shipley. Charlotte’s eyes immediately locked on Ruth, scanning her like a mother trained to detect even the smallest sign of distress. Sophie stood beside her, looking exhausted but determined.

Brad posted up near the door, his entire posture screaming high alert. No one was getting through him. Alex stood opposite him, his face unreadable.

Evan took one look at Noah, then Paul, and crossed his arms. “Alright, let’s talk options.”

Noah straightened, his grip on Ruth never loosening. This was it.

“Staying here isn’t an option,” he said flatly. “We have to move her.”

A tense silence followed.

Paul sighed, already resigned. “I assume you already have a plan.”

Noah nodded. “Evan has a place. Off the grid. Black Hills. It’s safe.”

Charlotte’s expression hardened. “And how do we know they won’t find her there?”

Evan met her gaze without blinking. “They won’t. The house is under my late mother-in-law’s maiden name. No digital trail, no rental records. Not even Tommy knows about it. It’s safer than anywhere else we can put her.”

Brad let out a slow, measured breath. “You realize how insane this is?”

“Yeah,” Noah admitted. “But it’s the only way to keep her alive.”

Alex ran a hand over his face, already doing the math. “Alright. Let’s break it down. What do we need?”

Paul spoke first. “Medical supplies. If she has another bleed, we’re screwed. I need a full kit, and we need to keep a close eye on her vitals.”

James nodded. “We’ll set you up with everything.”

Tristan added, “She’s still weak. Even with the swelling going down, there’s no guarantee she won’t decline.”

Charlotte crossed her arms. “What about security? If someone tried to kill her once, they’ll try again.”

Brad’s voice was stone cold. “I’ll make sure no one follows you.”

Noah’s grip on Ruth’s hand tightened. She slept through all of it. No protest. No argument. Maybe because she trusted him not to ask for permission.

Paul sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “You know this is crazy, right?”

Noah gave him a tired smirk. “Since when has that ever stopped me?”

Paul shook his head. But he didn’t argue.

Because they both knew—this was the only way.

Twenty-Eight