Every single one of them.
Aspen steps closer.
Right behind me now.
I feel her.
Solid.
Steady.
Trusting me with everything.
That settles it.
The agent’s voice drops.
“You really want to do this?”
I meet his gaze.
Unblinking.
“Yes.”
A beat.
Then—
Movement.
Fast.
But not what I expected.
Not an attack.
Not a grab.
A shout.
From outside.
“CONTACT!”
Gunfire erupts.
Loud.
Close.
Too close.
Everyone moves at once.
Weapons up.
Chaos explodes through the barn, behind us.
