By the time Ethan and the others reached the Kane Family's residence, Maxwell Kane still wasn't back.
No surprise. With the compound turning upside down today, he definitely had his hands full.
But Ryan and his sister Aurora were home.
The second Ryan saw Ethan's group walk in, his hands started sweating. The calm, steady soldier from yesterday was gone—now he looked like a man trying very hard not to panic in his own living room.
Aurora, on the other hand, strode up immediately.
"Ethan, you're here!" she said, practically glowing. "Come in—please!"
Her eyes were full of raw admiration.
Aurora had grown up in a military family. She'd worshiped strength since she was a kid. Her father Maxwell had always been her number-one idol… but after seeing Ethan's group on the battlefield today—so dominant, so decisive—Maxwell suddenly didn't feel quite as untouchable.
Maxwell was strong, sure. But he had too much to consider. Too many chains.
These people didn't.
