Under His Protection

Chapter 40: Safe Haven

It started with a single word—one that cut through the compound like a lightning strike.

"Pack."

Travis stood in the center of the living room, his expression carved from stone as he addressed Taylor, Diane, Patrick, Brittany, and Ross. His voice was calm but left no room for argument. "We're leaving tonight. All of us."

Taylor blinked, confused. "Leaving? Where are we going?"

"Somewhere Santino can't touch us," Travis replied, already pulling his phone out to send a flurry of messages. "The jet's being prepped now. You've got an hour to pack what you need. Essentials only."

Brittany glanced at Patrick, clearly caught off guard. "Travis, hold on—why now? What's going on?"

Travis's eyes darkened. "I got a message today. Santino isn't done, and I'm not risking it. We need to disappear for a while until I finish this."

Diane, who had been sitting quietly at the dining table, looked up at her daughter. "Is this really necessary, Travis?"

"Yes," Travis said firmly. "If I didn't think it was, we wouldn't be doing this."

Taylor stepped closer, her voice steady but questioning. "Where are we even going?"

Travis's gaze softened when it met hers. "Somewhere safe, Angel. Somewhere Santino won't think to look for us."

The compound erupted into controlled chaos as everyone began packing. Suitcases were dragged out of closets, drawers were emptied, and bags were filled with haste. Ross, already ahead of everyone, walked through the halls with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder, barking orders to Travis's security team to lock everything down behind them.

In the master bedroom, Taylor folded clothes into a bag while Travis checked his gun on the dresser. The soft metallic clicks echoed in the room.

Taylor's voice broke the silence. "You're sure this is the right move?"

Travis looked up, his eyes serious but reassuring. "I'm not taking any chances, Taylor. Not with you. Not with the twins. Not with anyone."

Taylor sighed, zipping up the bag. "It just feels like we're running."

"We're not running," Travis corrected, walking over and cupping her face gently. "We're being smart. You're my priority. You, the boys, and everyone you care about. I'll finish this, but for now, I need you out of harm's way."

Taylor leaned into his touch, her trust in him steady despite the whirlwind surrounding them. "Okay."

An hour later, they were standing on the tarmac, the private jet's engines roaring softly in the background. The night sky above them was a blanket of stars, and the cool air carried a sharp bite. Travis's security team loaded the last of the bags onto the jet while everyone gathered near the stairs.

Sterling and Bronze, Patrick and Brittany's two kids, were already bundled up in jackets, Sterling holding her younger brother's hand tightly as they stood by their parents.

Brittany glanced over at Travis. "You're sure this place is safe?"

"It's isolated," Travis replied. "Private. A friend of mine owns the property. It's off the grid—no one knows we'll be there."

Ross stepped up, a smirk on his face as he gave Patrick a nudge. "What's the matter, Mahomes? Not a fan of spontaneous vacations?"

Patrick rolled his eyes, hoisting a bag over his shoulder. "I'll be a fan if Travis tells me this property has Wi-Fi."

Ross laughed, but Travis shook his head. "It does."

Taylor snorted softly, hiding her amusement as she took Diane's hand to help her onto the plane.

Sterling climbed up the stairs next, holding tight to her stuffed bunny. Bronze, the younger of the two, paused halfway up the steps and turned around with a dramatic sigh, looking straight at Taylor.

"Are you bringing a blanket?" Bronze asked grumpily.

Taylor raised a brow, amused. "Why?"

"Because if you don't bring a blanket, I can't cuddle with you," Bronze huffed. "And I'm not sitting next to Ross. He smells like pepperoni."

From the tarmac, Ross's offended voice rang out. "Hey, I do not!"

Taylor laughed, bending down slightly. "Don't worry, Bronze. I've got a blanket for you."

Satisfied, Bronze nodded and continued climbing up, Sterling gently tugging him along.

Travis leaned into Taylor's ear with a smirk. "You're the only person that kid likes."

"I'm special," Taylor teased, nudging him.

"You're mine," he murmured back, brushing a kiss to her temple.

The flight was uneventful—quiet, even. Taylor sat on one side of the cabin with Bronze curled up under her arm, snoring softly. True to his word, he had cuddled up to her the moment she settled into her seat, a blanket wrapped around him like a cocoon. Sterling sat across from them with her bunny, drawing in a small notebook Brittany had packed for her.

On the other side of the cabin, Patrick and Ross were deep in conversation, while Brittany leaned back with her eyes closed. Diane sat toward the front, her gaze lost in the night sky through the window.

Travis sat beside Taylor, his hand resting protectively on her knee. His other hand held his phone, constantly checking for updates from his team still at the compound.

"Anything?" Taylor asked softly, careful not to wake Bronze.

"Nothing yet," Travis murmured, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "But that's good."

"You're tense."

Travis glanced at her, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "We'll be okay. I just need to get you settled somewhere safe."

Taylor nodded, her free hand instinctively resting over her belly. "The boys are going to be world travelers before they're even born."

Travis smiled faintly, his gaze softening. "They're going to be just fine, Angel. You all are."

By the time they landed, the sun was beginning to rise over the horizon. The property Travis had arranged was breathtaking—a sprawling villa tucked away in the hills of a secluded island, surrounded by lush greenery and the sound of ocean waves in the distance.

Sterling gasped the moment she saw it. "It's like a castle!"

"Pretty close," Patrick agreed, lifting Bronze out of the car they had taken from the airstrip. The little boy rubbed his eyes, still half-asleep, and immediately reached for Taylor.

"Where's your blanket?" Bronze grumbled.

Taylor smiled, holding him against her hip as they walked toward the front door. "Inside, buddy."

Inside, the villa was spacious but cozy—wide archways, sunlit rooms, and a grand living area with an open view of the water. Diane took a seat in one of the armchairs with a sigh of relief. "Well, this is certainly an upgrade from where we've been."

Travis stood near the doorway, overseeing the security team as they finished setting up surveillance equipment. Patrick dropped a bag near the staircase and whistled low. "You weren't kidding, Kelce. This place is locked down."

"Good." Travis looked at Taylor, his expression softening again as he crossed the room to her. "What do you think?"

Taylor smiled up at him, Bronze still clinging to her side. "It's beautiful."

"It's home for now."

She looked out toward the ocean, the waves crashing gently in the distance. For the first time in weeks, she felt like she could breathe.

"You did good, Travis," she whispered, leaning into his chest. "Thank you."

His arms wrapped around her, holding her close. "You don't have to thank me, Angel. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

And for the first time in a long while, Travis finally allowed himself to exhale.