And somehow that hurts worse.
“Don’t do this.”
I swallow hard against the knot tightening in my throat.
“Do what?”
“Push me away like I’m leaving you here.”
The words steal the breath straight from my lungs.
Because part of me realizes instantly—
He already decided.
He’s coming back for me.
No matter what.
And God help me, part of me wants him to.
“I’m not pushing you away,” I say more quietly now.
Another burst of gunfire cracks through the canyon.
Closer.
Too close.
“I’m buying you time.”
Above me, Lucas shouts something urgent.
Boots scrape across loose stone.
The enemy’s almost on top of them now.
“Russ!” Clay barks sharply. “Move!”
I look up one last time.
Can barely make out Russ’s outline against the broken ridge.
But I feel him anyway.
Like I always do now.
“Go,” I whisper.
And for one terrible second—
I think he actually might listen.
18
Russ
No.
