Arrow’s shoulders shake like he’s suppressing a laugh.
“Don’t,” I mutter to him.
He doesn’t respond. Just leads the way.
We enter through the secure door and the world shifts from garage-cold to building-warm. Lights are bright but not harsh. The hall smells faintly like coffee and clean wood and whatever expensive cologne Sawyer Maddox probably bathes in.
Footsteps approach. And suddenly the hallway fills with people. I set Salem down, but keep her close.
Dean Maddox is first—tall, solid, eyes like a man who’s seen war and decided the world doesn’t get to take anything else from him. Sawyer is beside him, posture relaxed but lethal. Sawyer lurks a half-step back like he exists mostly to scare criminals into confessing through sheer presence. Riggs stands off to theside, arms crossed, expression bored, like this is just another Tuesday. Which at Maddox Security, it is.
Then there’s the crew I actually know.
Arrow walks in with us, and Juno moves in fast. She offers him a quick hug and then turns her direction to Salem like she’s assessing damage and offering warmth at the same time.
River is there, leaning against a counter with Gage at her side, the two of them looking like they stepped out of a “power couple who breaks your firewall” magazine spread.
Knight stands near the back with Lark, who’s trying to look casual and failing because her eyes are on Salem with immediate, fierce interest.
And Rae is at a computer station behind glass, headset on, fingers flying over keys like she’s playing a piano in a war movie.
Salem stops short. Her shoulders tense like she’s expecting to be judged. To be treated like a problem. Like an object. I feel something in me go hard and sharp. Not today.
Dean’s gaze locks on Salem. “Salem Bloom,” Dean says. His voice is calm. “You’re safe here.”
Salem’s throat bobs. “I keep hearing that.”
Dean nods slowly like he understands. “You don’t have to believe it yet. Just stand in it for a while.”
Salem’s eyes flick over the group again, wary.
Juno steps forward first, softer. “Hey. I’m Juno. I’m not going to touch you unless you want me to, but I am going to offer you a hug like a normal person.”
Salem blinks. “A normal person.”
Juno smiles. “Normal-ish. I own a taser.”
Salem’s mouth twitches. “Okay,” she says quietly. “That helps.”
Lark pops her chin toward Salem. “I’m Lark. If anyone tries to mess with you again, I volunteer as tribute to ruin their life.”
Knight mutters, “Lark.”
“What?” Lark says. “I’m being welcoming.”
Salem’s eyes flick to Knight. “He always sound like that?”
“Like a grumpy audiobook?” Lark asks. “Yes.”
Knight exhales like he’s regretting every decision that led him here. Salem lets out a small sound that might be a laugh. Good.
River steps closer next, voice gentle. “River Quinn. I… get it. Not the exact same situation. But the aftermath. The fear. The—” She gestures vaguely at the air around her. “—living inside your body like it’s a place you don’t recognize.”
Salem’s gaze softens for half a second.
Gage’s eyes stay on Salem like he’s already mapping threats. “You did good getting out,” he says. Short. Solid. No pity.
Salem nods once, as if she accepts that more easily than comfort.