Lucas swears sharply. “We’re out of time!”
We were never going to have enough.
I look past them toward the civilians huddled farther up the ridge while Clay and Miles take defensive positions.
The enemy’s coming fast.
If Russ climbs down after me now—
Everyone gets trapped.
“Go!” I shout upward. “Take them and move!”
“No.”
Not hesitation.
Not debate.
Just absolute refusal.
Something in my chest twists painfully at the sound of it.
“Russ—”
“You’re not staying down there.”
The words hit harder than they should.
Because he means them.
Completely.
Even now.
Even with gunfire getting closer every second.
“You don’t have a choice!” I fire back. “If they catch us split like this, everybody dies!”
That lands.
I know it does.
Because suddenly the canyon goes silent above me.
Heavy.
Impossible.
The kind of silence that only comes with terrible decisions.
“Olivia…”
His voice sounds lower now.
Rougher.
Closer to anger than fear.
