The words hit hard.
Because suddenly everyone realizes the same thing.
This new group—
They aren’t here by accident either.
And whatever they want—
It’s important enough to start a war over.
20
Clay
Everything turns into blood and smoke.
Fast.
The loading dock erupts into absolute chaos as rounds tear through concrete from both directions.
Militia fighters scream over each other in Arabic while the new armed group pushes aggressively through the warehouse district outside.
Professional movements.
Military precision.
No hesitation.
These aren’t random mercenaries.
These men came prepared.
And somehow that makes this worse.
“North side breach!” Lucas shouts through comms.
Bullets hammer the loading dock doors hard enough to throw sparks across the floor.
The little girl behind Hannah cries hysterically while she shields the child with her own body behind the concrete barrier.
My chest tightens violently at the sight.
Even now—
surrounded by armed killers—
she protects everyone except herself.
“Hannah,” I snap.
Her eyes immediately find mine through the smoke.
“Stay behind me.”
She actually looks annoyed.
“In case you haven’t noticed, people are trying to kill all of us equally.”
