Confusion flickers briefly across her face.
Mine too.
The man studies her calmly.
“You treated six of my men today.”
Hannah’s jaw tightens.
“They were injured.”
“Yes.” His eyes sharpen slightly. “And unlike most people, you still chose to save them.”
Something shifts in the man’s expression then.
Respect maybe.
Which somehow feels even more dangerous.
Another armored vehicle rumbles outside near the river.
More militia continue surrounding the warehouse.
We’re being boxed in.
The commander notices me tracking the movement.
“You cannot escape this district tonight,” he says calmly. “The bridges are locked down.”
Russ steps slightly forward.
“Then why stop shooting?”
The commander’s gaze shifts toward him briefly.
“Because unnecessary deaths complicate business.”
Business.
Jesus Christ.
This entire operation is bigger than we thought.
Way bigger.
Hannah slowly rises fully beside me despite my obvious desire for her to stay behind cover.
Her shoulder brushes mine briefly.
Small contact.
Still enough to steady something inside me instantly.
“What business?” she asks.
The commander studies her for a long second before answering.
“There are people willing to pay extraordinary amounts of money for talented doctors in war zones.”
