Every option feels wrong.
Lucas is already thinking ahead. “If Hannah and Cole are alive, they’ll move them soon.”
“Meaning the clock started already,” Clay says.
Olivia’s fingers catch weakly on my wrist.
“You can’t leave them.”
Of course that’s what she cares about.
Not herself.
Never herself.
This woman.
This impossible woman.
God help me, I love her.
The truth settles into place so completely there’s no point fighting it anymore.
And because I love her, every choice in front of me feels unbearable.
I key comms hard enough my knuckles ache.
“Status on exfil?”
“North ridge. Two minutes.”
Too long.
“Medical?”
“Field kit only.”
Olivia sways slightly.
Decision made.
I slide one arm beneath her knees before she can argue and lift her against my chest.
She gasps softly. “Russ—”
“No.”
“You can’t just—”
“I can. Watch me.”
Her hand fists weakly in my shirt.
Then finally—
She stops fighting.
Really stops.
