Doors open.
More armed men pouring out.
Too close.
Way too close.
“Move!” Lucas roars.
Gunfire erupts again.
I duck instinctively, pulling the little girl down beside me as dirt explodes inches away.
My pulse pounds so hard I can barely hear.
Then suddenly—
Everything slows.
A flicker of movement breaks from the right side near the vehicles.
A man.
Fast.
Not aiming for the team.
Not aiming for Russ.
The children.
Cold dread crashes through me instantly.
No.
Absolutely not.
The little girl beside me freezes in terror.
And before I can think—
I move.
I shove her backward behind me and throw myself directly into the man’s path.
“NO!”
21
Russ
She moves before I can stop her.
Of course she does.
One second she’s beside me—
The next she’s launching herself toward the threat like her own safety never even crossed her mind.
