As they pulled up to the house, the laughter from inside pierced the silence of the night, every peal a taunt. Jeremiah’s hand tightened around the steering wheel before he gave a curt nod to his men. They moved with synchronized precision, slipping out of the vehicle and towards the house, their presence a sudden shadow on the lawn.

Jeremiah didn’t bother knocking. The door swung open to reveal Shane and his friends, their eyes widening at the sight of the men standing before them. The smell of alcohol was thick in the air, mingling with the tension that suddenly permeated the room.

The look on Shane’s face said everything—surprise, fear, and an arrogance that quickly turned to dread. Jeremiah stepped forward, his voice low and lethal. “Emily’s coming with me.”

Shane blustered, trying to reclaim control. “You can’t just—”

Jeremiah cut him off, his words sharp as a blade. “I can. And I will.”

Emily emerged from the hallway, her face pale but determined. She had locked her door as instructed, but now she stood ready to leave, her eyes meeting her father’s with palpable relief.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Jeremiah said, his tone softening.

Emily moved to his side, the tension in her frame easing slightly as she was enveloped by the protective circle of men. Shane’s friends, once boisterous, now watched in silence, unwilling to challenge the formidable presence of the Marines.

As they turned to leave, Shane tried again, his voice a whine. “We were just hanging out, man. No harm.”

Jeremiah stopped, turning slightly to level a gaze at him. “You might want to rethink your friends, Shane. Next time, I won’t be this nice.”

The ride back was quiet, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away. Emily sat beside him, her head resting against his shoulder. Jeremiah felt the weight of her trust, the responsibility of her safety, more acutely than ever before.

Back at his apartment, Jeremiah tucked Emily in, brushing a tender hand across her hair. “You’re safe now,” he assured her. “Nobody’s going to hurt you.”

She nodded, eyes heavy with exhaustion but also with relief. “Thanks, Dad.”

In the quiet of the night, as Emily slept, Jeremiah sat awake, watching over her. The events of the night replayed in his mind, but beneath his anger and fear was a comforting thought—he had done right by his daughter. And he would do it again, a thousand times over, to keep her safe.