Not now.
I drag a hand down my face and force myself upright.
Outside, the storm still rages.
Inside, Olivia bends over the child with complete focus, steady hands already working.
And somehow that’s worse.
Because now I know exactly how dangerous this is.
It’s not just the mission anymore.
Not just protecting civilians.
Not just surviving long enough to get everyone out alive.
Now there’s her.
And the way she keeps putting herself between danger and everyone else.
And the way she looked at me before Hannah interrupted us.
Like she wanted that kiss as much as I did.
That changes everything.
8
Russ
Idon’t sleep.
Not after almost kissing her.
Not after the way she looked at me right before Hannah called her name.
So I sit near the mouth of the shelter with my rifle across my knees while the storm slowly dies outside.
Hour by hour, the wind weakens.
The screaming gusts turn into low whistles through the rocks.
Then silence.
Cold, sharp silence.
By the time dawn starts bleeding gray over the mountains, everybody else is out cold.
Children curled beneath blankets.
Mothers wrapped around them protectively.
Lucas asleep against the stone wall with his weapon still in his hand.
Clay flat on his back like a corpse.
Miles somehow snoring loud enough to deserve its own tactical response.
