Chapter 8 - THE DECISION TO FIGHT
"You are not leaving," Sienna said firmly, standing in the middle of her sprawling penthouse apartment overlooking the glowing skyline of Portland.
After the incident at the clinic, Sienna had immediately moved Mason and Ava to her private residence under the escort of her personal security detail. The rain lashed against the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, reflecting the amber lights of the city below.
Mason stood near the fireplace, his arms crossed over his chest, staring into the flames. "Sienna, those men work for people who run military operations for profit. They don't give up. If I stay near you and Ava, they will use your family to get to me."
"Then let's stop running," a small voice called out from the hallway.
Sienna and Mason both turned. Ava stood in the doorway—not in her wheelchair, but leaning heavily against a set of pediatric forearm crutches. Her legs trembled under her weight, but she stood tall, her chin raised with unmistakable determination.
"Ava," Sienna said, rushing to her side. "Sweetheart, you should be resting."
"No," Ava said, her voice clear and unbroken. She looked directly at Mason. "You told me that being scared isn't the same as failing. You told me that silence is a cage."
Mason walked over to her, kneeling on the hardwood floor so he was at eye level with the little girl. "This is different, Ava. These are dangerous men."
"You saved those soldiers in the mountains," Ava said, reaching out her small hand to touch Mason's calloused cheek. "And you saved me from my quiet room. You can't let them win."
Mason looked into the young girl's eyes, seeing a reflection of his own fierce, unyielding spirit. For three years, he had believed his life ended in that Afghan gorge—that his purpose had been buried under the snow along with his fallen comrades. But looking at Ava, standing on her own two feet, he realized his mission wasn't over. It had simply changed.
"She's right, Mason," Sienna said, kneeling beside them and placing her hand over Mason's shoulder. "I have legal resources, political connections, and media platforms that can expose Vanguard Defense Solutions to the public eye. You have the military evidence and the truth. Together, we can destroy them before they can touch us."
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Mason looked at the mother and daughter—two women who had shown him more courage in three weeks than he had seen in years. A slow, quiet smile broke across his scarred face—the first real smile Sienna had ever seen him give.
"Alright," Mason whispered. "We fight."
