“DOWN!” someone yells.
I hit the dirt instantly, dragging the little girl beneath me as bullets rip overhead.
Stone explodes beside us.
Dust fills my mouth.
My ears ring violently.
“Up!”
Russ.
Always Russ.
I’m moving before my brain even catches up.
We scramble forward between jagged rocks while Clay and Lucas lay down cover fire above us.
Gunshots crack so close I feel the vibration through the ground.
“Left side’s thinner!” Clay shouts.
“Take it!” Lucas barks back.
The whole group shifts direction immediately.
I push the little girl ahead of me—
Then my footing slips on loose gravel.
Pain flashes white-hot through my ribs as I stumble sideways.
Strong hands catch me instantly.
Russ.
His grip locks around my arm and waist hard enough to steady both of us.
“I’ve got you.”
His voice hits low against the chaos around us.
Close.
Certain.
“I’m fine—”
“Sure you are.”
He doesn’t release me this time.
Doesn’t even try.
He drags me forward beside him while bullets slam into the canyon behind us.
The vehicles loom closer now.
