Page 87 of What Remains

Layla threw her arms around Liz. "I'll help!"

The smile on Josie's face faded almost as quickly as it had appeared. She stood, squaring her shoulders. "I'm going too."

The casual chatter died. Jay, who had been speaking, let his hands drop to his sides.

Jay frowned. "That was always the plan."

"It still is."

Every eye shifted toward him. He met Josie's gaze and held it. “Even if I don't like it."

Her eyebrows lifted. "You don't like what?"

"You're going."

A flicker of annoyance crossed her face. "I'm the only physician this group has."

"I know."

"I served in the Air Force before I became a trauma surgeon."

"I know."

"I've had military weapons training."

"I know."

She folded her arms. "Then what exactly is your issue?"

"My issue is you're our only trained medical professional.”

She took one step toward him. "And what happens if someone on that sweep gets hit? Who stabilizes them for the ride back?"

"We can manage."

"Can you?" A short, sharp laugh escaped her, devoid of humor. "So I'm supposed to sit here, useless, while one of you bleeds out?"

"I didn't say that."

"You implied it."

Seth scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "I'm saying you have a daughter to think about. And that means I have to think about her, too."

"And that's exactly why I need to go."

Josie's voice, though calm, held a steely resolve. Everyone watched, no one daring to interrupt.

She pointed at herself. "If someone gets hurt out there, I'm the one who keeps them alive. I know how to clear buildings. I know how to move under fire. I know how to shoot, and I know how to treat trauma." She held his gaze without flinching. "You don't get to bench me because we spent one night together."

Her words struck him like a physical blow, leaving a ringing silence in their wake.

Seth's jaw tightened. "This isn't about last night."

"Then what is it about?"

He hesitated, the pause just long enough for the answer to be clear before he spoke it.

"I don't want anything to happen to you."