Page 117 of Scars of Fate

My eyes filled.

“You said I never fought for us.”

“I didn’t mean like this.”

“This is the only way I know how.”

“Lucas—”

“So let me fight.”

The first tear fell.

“You could die.”

“So could you.”

“Ten seconds!”

Lucas pulled back.

His silver eyes burned into mine.

“If we survive this…”

“When.”

“What?”

“When we survive this,” I said, my voice trembling. “You don’t get to say if.”

Something almost like a smile touched his mouth.

“When we survive this, I’m taking you to dinner.”

A broken laugh escaped me.

“You’re asking me on a date now?”

“I’ve had better timing.”

“Your timing has always been terrible.”

“I know.”

“Five seconds!”

The rear doors exploded inward.

Lucas spun.

His rifle erupted.

I raised the pistol.

Men in black tactical gear poured through the smoke.

One fell.