Page 167 of Scars of Fate

“Because she’s more cooperative while you’re alive.”

Lucas’s body went rigid.

I understood the threat.

They didn’t only want me.

They wanted to use Lucas to control me.

The copilot looked toward Adam.

“Tell your men to lower their weapons.”

Adam didn’t move.

Neither did Boone.

Russ crouched near the wounded pilot.

Hawk lay behind a tree with his rifle aimed at the upper ridge.

The enemy surrounded us.

Bullets struck the rocks every few seconds.

Yet the copilot stood in the open as though he had nothing to fear.

Because he knew his men wouldn’t risk hitting him while he remained close enough to grab me.

“Lower them,” the copilot ordered.

Adam slowly placed his rifle on the ground.

Boone did the same.

Russ hesitated before lowering his weapon.

Hawk never looked away from the ridge.

“You too,” the copilot shouted.

Hawk glanced over his shoulder.

“You want me to stop shooting the men trying to kill you?”

“They won’t kill me.”

“That isn’t an answer.”

“Hawk,” Adam said.

Hawk lowered his rifle.

The enemy fire stopped.

Silence swept across the forest.

Too sudden.