Knight mutters, “It’s called annoying.”
Salem watches the exchange like she’s trying to decide if we’re real people or an elaborate hallucination. Then she says, very softly, “Do you all… always talk like this?”
Gage answers, deadpan. “Unfortunately.”
Salem’s shoulders loosen just a little.
Dean’s attention returns to Salem. “You’ll stay at Rainmaker until we have answers. Days, maybe weeks. And Ozzy will coordinate with Rae and the team daily.”
Salem’s gaze sharpens. “What if they come for me?”
Sawyer’s voice is low and steady. “Then they’ll regret it.”
Salem holds his gaze for a beat, then nods once like she believes him.
Juno steps forward with a duffel bag—new, black, clean. “Here,” she says, holding it out. “Clothes, toiletries, basics. Nothing fancy. Just… you stuff.”
Salem stares at the bag like it might explode. Then her fingers close around the strap, careful. “Thank you,” she says quietly.
Juno’s eyes warm. “You’re welcome.”
Salem clears her throat. “I don’t… do well with people telling me what to do.”
My mouth quirks before I can stop it. “I gathered.”
Her eyes cut to me. “Don’t get smug.”
“I’m not smug,” I say. “I’m delighted.”
“Delighted,” she repeats like it tastes suspicious.
“I’m happy you’re alive,” I say, softer, before my brain can slap duct tape over my mouth.
Salem looks at me. And something shifts in her expression—so quick I almost miss it. Like she’s not used to hearing that without strings attached.
Rae’s voice cuts in. “Dean. I’m getting a partial ledger. It’s encrypted, but—” Her fingers fly. “—it references Rainmaker’s county. Not the safehouse. The county.”
Dean’s eyes sharpen. “Meaning?”
“Meaning,” Rae says carefully, “whoever moved Salem through the pipeline is operating in that region too. There’s overlap.”
The room tightens instantly. Sawyer’s jaw flexes. Arrow’s hand drops to his belt reflexively. My pulse spikes.
Dean looks at me. “Ozzy. That doesn’t change the plan. It makes it more urgent.”
I nod, voice steady. “We go now.”
Salem’s fingers tighten on the duffel. Her eyes dart between faces. Fear tries to rise in her throat. I can see it. But she swallows it down like she’s done a thousand times. “Okay,” she says quietly. “Rainmaker.”
Dean nods. “Arrow will get you a vehicle. Supplies are already there.”
Salem hesitates. Then, to my surprise, she steps closer to me—just a fraction. Not touching. But near enough that I feel her warmth. “Are you… good at this?” she asks, voice low.
I know what she means.
Not hacking.
Not fighting.