“Fine. But if you’re not back—”
“I’ll be back.”
Not hope.
Not optimism.
Fact.
Because there is no world where I walk out of these mountains without her.
Lucas turns immediately. “Move out!”
The group pushes deeper into the canyon fast and uneven while Clay and Miles cover the rear.
I stay exactly where I am.
Counting seconds.
Listening to gunfire echo through the rocks below.
Every shot tightens something vicious inside my chest.
Then finally—
Enough.
I move.
Boots hit loose rock hard as I start down the slope at a controlled slide. Gravel skids beneath my feet while sharp edges tear at my palms every time I steady myself against the canyon wall.
Dangerous.
Stupid.
Don’t care.
“Olivia!”
Nothing.
Cold dread crawls instantly down my spine.
I descend faster.
“Olivia!”
A beat later—
“I’m here!”
Relief slams into me so hard my knees almost give out.
I push the last stretch recklessly, dropping the final few feet onto the lower ledge.
And there she is.
Standing against the canyon wall.
