Semua Bab Call it love,Call it war: Bab 21 - Bab 24

Kael came in from the porch just as the first strips of weak light slipped through the blinds. His boots tracked mud, his shoulders heavy with exhaustion, but his jaw was set like he’d swallowed a fight whole. He didn’t look at Riven right away.Mrs. Bea was already at the stove, her back straight, her hair pinned up neat like always. She moved slow, deliberate, the kettle clattering down with more force than needed. “You boys look like death warmed over,” she said without turning, voice steady but sharp.Ari was stretched out on the couch, shotgun leaning against his knee. His head lolled back, but his eyes were open, bloodshot and hollow. “I stayed up watching the treeline,” he muttered. “Swear I saw movement more than once.”“Paranoia,” Kael said flatly. He leaned against the counter, folding his arms, but his gaze flicked to the window as if to check for himself.“It ain’t paranoia if they were here,” Ari shot back.No one laughed.Riven hadn’t moved since Kael walked in. His eyes

Riven sat rigid in the passenger seat, his hand still curled tight around the burner phone. He’d been checking it obsessively the entire ride, screen lighting up his jawline in quick, nervous bursts. No new messages. No calls. Just silence.“Here,” Kael said, voice even but tight. “This is as close as we can risk driving.”Riven finally looked up, scanning the stretch of woods that opened into shadowy fields. “So this is it? The ranch?”Kael gave a single nod. “Mason’s family land. Old, secluded. They used to run cattle through here, but his father turned it into a fortress. Half the fences are rigged, and I’d bet money they’ve got cameras tucked in the trees.”Riven swallowed hard. “And Roman… he could be inside.”Kael’s gaze flicked toward him, unreadable in the dark. “That’s why we’re here.”The doors creaked open, loud against the oppressive hush. Ari, Harlow, and Jesse climbed out from the back, each bundled against the chill. Mrs. Bea had insisted on staying behind in town, clai