“There you are.”
My voice breaks anyway.
“You don’t get to leave me now.”
A tear slips down through the dirt on her cheek.
“I was scared you wouldn’t come.”
The confession nearly stops my heart.
I slide my hand into her hair carefully.
“I will always come for you.”
Always.
Not just tonight.
Not just here.
Always.
Automatic fire erupts from the ridge above us suddenly.
Different weapons.
Friendly.
Truck shooters start dropping instantly.
Miles glances up and grins. “There’s our ride.”
Black exfil vehicle tears down the ridge and skids hard behind cover.
Doors fly open.
“MOVE!”
I scoop Olivia back into my arms and run.
Every second feels stolen.
But then we’re inside.
Doors slam shut.
The vehicle launches forward.
And for the first time since I saw her tied to that chair—
Nobody’s actively trying to kill us.
Should feel like relief.
Doesn’t.
Because Olivia’s too still against me.
