Determined.
Like she already knew she’d need those skills someday.
The memory twists something sharp in my chest.
“She’ll survive,” I say quietly, mostly to myself.
Russ hears it anyway.
“So will you,” he replies.
I glance at him sharply.
His stare stays fixed on the compound below us.
“You go into this emotional,” he says calmly, “you miss details.”
“I’m not emotional.”
Miles snorts under his breath.
Lucas mutters, “Sure.”
I ignore both of them.
Because now isn’t the time.
I lift the binoculars again, scanning the western side of the compound.
Then—
Movement.
Small.
Quick.
Second-floor window.
I freeze.
My pulse slams hard once against my ribs.
A figure.
Gone almost instantly behind dirty glass.
But I caught enough.
Small frame.
Dark clothing.
Female.
Every nerve ending in my body lights up.
“There,” I snap quietly.
