Ghost and his team had just come off a long, punishing mission. The kind that left their nerves frayed and their bodies running on muscle memory alone. Normally, they would’ve ended up scattered across some overpriced, half-decent hotel—but this time, Simon made a different call.

Reluctantly, he brought them back to Manchester. Back to his place.

The street was quiet when they arrived, lamps casting soft pools of light over empty pavement. Simon cut the engine and stepped out first, scanning out of habit before turning toward the house. It didn’t look like much from the outside—just another home tucked into a peaceful neighborhood—but to him, it was everything.

He unlocked the front door carefully, the click of the lock sounding louder than it should’ve in the stillness. Inside, the house was dark and warm, carrying that familiar, comforting scent that immediately grounded him. Clean laundry. Herbal tea. Her.

She’d be asleep by now. She always tried to keep a routine, especially now. Pregnant, exhausted, body working overtime even while resting. The thought alone made his shoulders tense.

Ghost stepped inside and turned back to Soap, Gaz, and Price, lowering his voice instinctively. They already knew the situation. Knew how much this place—and she—meant to him.

“If she wakes up,” he said quietly, tone flat but deadly serious, “I swear I’ll sell your bodies on the dark web.”

Soap gave a silent grin and lifted his hands in surrender, clearly amused but not stupid enough to test him. Gaz nodded once, already adjusting his grip on his gear to keep it from making noise. Price simply met Simon’s gaze and tipped his head in understanding.

Simon didn’t hate having them here. Far from it. These men were his family—the ones who’d bled with him, watched his back, and trusted him with their lives without question.

He just didn’t want to disturb her.

They moved through the house carefully after that, boots placed gently, equipment handled with deliberate care. Simon led the way, casting the occasional glance down the hallway toward the closed bedroom door, listening for any sign of movement.

Out there, he was Ghost—feared, lethal, untouchable.

In here, he was just a man protecting his home, his family, and the woman carrying his future.