Because apparently nearly getting shot isn’t enough to stop her from being furious with me.
The realization almost makes me laugh.
Almost.
I reach them seconds later and grab both Hannah and the child, dragging them hard behind heavier cover just as another explosion rocks the street.
The little boy sobs against Hannah’s side.
She wraps both arms around him immediately.
Then finally—
Finally—
She looks at me fully.
Up close now, I can see bruises along her arms.
Exhaustion carved into her face.
Blood across her sleeves.
But her eyes—
Her eyes are still sharp.
Still strong.
Still Hannah.
Relief crashes through me so hard my hands almost shake.
“You came,” she says breathlessly.
Like part of her still can’t believe it.
I stare at her for one brutal second too long.
Because eight months suddenly feels like a lifetime.
“Yeah,” I say roughly. “You really think I wouldn’t?”
Another explosion interrupts us.
Reality slams back hard.
Hannah immediately pushes the child toward me.
“Take him.”
I blink once.
“What?”
“There are more civilians inside.”
Of course there are.
