Under His Protection

Chapter 26: A Plan in Motion

Taylor paced the length of the living room, her arms wrapped around herself as the weight of the evening settled on her. Travis stood by the window, his silhouette outlined by the faint glow of the moonlight. He'd been silent for several minutes, his gaze fixed on the darkness outside.

The safehouse no longer felt like a sanctuary. It felt exposed, vulnerable—a reminder of just how deeply Santino's reach extended.

Finally, Taylor couldn't take the silence anymore. "What do we do now?" she asked, her voice breaking the stillness.

Travis turned to her, his face a mixture of resolve and regret. "We fight back. But this time, we do it on our terms."

She stopped pacing, her brow furrowing. "What does that mean?"

"It means we take the fight to him," Travis said, his voice low and dangerous. "Santino thinks he can rattle us by sending imposters and distractions. He's underestimating what happens when you come after the people I care about."

Taylor's heart swelled at his words, but her worry outweighed her pride. "Travis, what if it's a trap? What if he's waiting for you to retaliate?"

"I don't have a choice, Angel," he said, stepping closer to her. "This isn't just about me anymore. It's about us. It's about making sure you're safe."

Her eyes searched his, and she saw the determination there—the unshakable drive that made him who he was. She reached out, her fingers brushing against his arm. "Then let me help."

"No," Travis said firmly. "You've already been through enough. I can't risk you getting caught in the crossfire."

"But—"

"Taylor," he interrupted gently, his hand cupping her cheek. "You're the strongest person I know, but this isn't your fight. Let me handle this."

She wanted to argue, but the look in his eyes stopped her. It wasn't just protectiveness; it was fear—the kind of fear that came from knowing how much you had to lose.

"Okay," she said softly. "But promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise," he said, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead.

The sound of the front door opening drew their attention, and Patrick and Ross stepped inside. Both men looked grim, their usual humor replaced with steely determination.

"We've got a lead," Patrick said without preamble.

Ross nodded. "Santino's moving his operations to the west side docks. He's consolidating his resources, probably gearing up for something big."

Travis's jaw tightened. "Then we hit him there."

Patrick raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? If he's pulling everyone into one location, it could be a setup."

"It's a risk we have to take," Travis said. "We can't let him gain any more ground."

Taylor listened to the exchange, her heart pounding. She knew this was the world Travis lived in—a world of calculated risks and dangerous decisions. But being a part of it, even on the sidelines, felt like walking a tightrope.

"What's the plan?" Ross asked, his eyes sharp and focused.

Travis crossed his arms, his mind already working through the details. "We'll split into two teams. One will create a diversion to draw Santino's men out. The other will go after the shipment directly. If we can cut off his resources, we cripple his operation."

Patrick nodded. "Sounds solid. Who's on what team?"

"I'll lead the strike team," Travis said. "Patrick, you handle the diversion. Ross, you're with me."

"What about Taylor?" Patrick asked, glancing at her.

"She stays here," Travis said firmly.

Taylor bristled but held her tongue. She knew now wasn't the time to argue, but the idea of sitting and waiting while Travis put himself in danger made her stomach churn.

Patrick and Ross exchanged a glance before nodding.

"We'll gear up and head out in an hour," Patrick said.

As the men began discussing logistics, Taylor slipped into the kitchen, needing a moment to collect herself. She gripped the edge of the counter, her thoughts racing.

"Hey," Travis's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.

She turned to find him standing in the doorway, his expression softening as he looked at her.

"I know this is hard," he said, stepping closer. "But I need you to trust me."

"I do trust you," she said, her voice trembling. "I just... I don't know how to sit here and do nothing while you're out there risking everything."

"You're not doing nothing," he said, his hands resting on her shoulders. "You're giving me a reason to come back. That's everything."

Her eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away, nodding.

"I'll come back to you, Angel," he said, his voice a promise. "Always."

Before she could respond, he leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss. It was slow and tender, a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding them.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested against hers. "I love you," he whispered.

Her breath hitched at the words, her heart swelling. "I love you too."

The moment lingered before Patrick's voice called from the other room. "Travis, we're ready!"

He sighed, stepping back. "Stay here. Lock the doors. I'll call you as soon as it's over."

She nodded, her throat too tight to speak.

As he walked away, Taylor stood in the kitchen, her hands clenched into fists. She hated feeling powerless, but she knew Travis needed her to stay strong—for him and for herself.

She whispered a silent prayer as the door closed behind him, the sound echoing in the now-empty house.

Hours passed, each minute dragging by like an eternity. Taylor sat on the couch, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. She kept glancing at the screen, willing it to light up with a message from Travis.

When the call finally came, she nearly dropped the phone in her haste to answer.

"Travis?" she said, her voice breathless.

"It's me," he replied, his voice steady but edged with exhaustion. "We're on our way back. Everything went as planned."

Relief washed over her, and she sagged against the couch. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine," he assured her. "I'll be home soon."

"Good," she said softly. "I've been going crazy here."

He chuckled, the sound warm and familiar. "I'll make it up to you, Angel. I promise."

As the call ended, Taylor's tension began to ease. She didn't know what the future held, but for now, Travis was safe.

And that was enough.