Page 22 of Scars of Fate

I stared at him.

“I’ve walked through bombed cities.”

“I’m taking that as a yes.”

“I wasn’t asking your permission.”

For a second, one corner of his mouth almost moved.

Almost.

Then another explosion shook the building.

The roof groaned overhead.

Adam looked back.

“Lucas!”

“I’m moving.”

Lucas reached for my hand.

Instinct made me pull away.

“I can keep up.”

His expression darkened.

“I know you can.”

“Then why⁠—”

“Because I already lost you once.”

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Silence settled between us.

His eyes widened slightly, as though he couldn’t believe he’d said them aloud.

My heart stumbled.

For one brief moment, I wasn’t looking at the hardened Delta operator.

I was looking at my husband.

The man who used to leave handwritten notes on the kitchen counter before deployments.

The man who always kissed my forehead before walking out the door.

The man I’d never stopped loving.

A terrified little girl cried out.

“My mama!”

I spun.