Maverick.
Spike.
Tank.
All of them holding lines like they can fight hell by force alone.
“Keep going!” Spike yells. “Clear them a path!”
I hold Livy tighter and wait.
One second.
Two.
Three.
Four.
That’s all I can give them.
The fire folds back just enough.
Not safe.
Nothing about this is safe.
But enough.
I duck my head over Livy, shield her with my body, and run.
Chapter Fifteen
Maverick
“How’s she doing?” Stefano whispers.
I look toward the hospital bed where Olivia and Amelia are fast asleep.
Amelia is curled carefully around her daughter, one hand resting on Olivia’s back like she needs proof with every breath.
“She’s okay,” I tell him. “The doctor said she might have a cough for about a week, and she has a small burn on her foot. Other than that, she should be fine.”
“Good,” he sighs. “Damn, brother.”
“Yeah.”
For a while, neither of us speaks.
The machines hum softly.
Olivia breathes.
Amelia breathes.
I stand there and count both.
“You good?” Stefano asks.
