Chapter 44 Harper
Harper
The world erupted behind me. Gunfire cracked through the stairwell, each shot slamming into my chest like a physical blow even though none of them touched me. River’s hand clamped around my arm, pulling me down the stairs so fast I stumbled, my breath catching on every step.
I twisted, desperate for a glimpse of Carter. He was there—always there—his body moving with terrifying precision, his rifle kicking against his shoulder, every line of him focused and unrelenting. The sound of bullets tearing through concrete made me flinch, but he didn’t waver.
“Eyes forward,” River barked, his voice a sharp blade against the chaos.
But I couldn’t. I couldn’t look away from Carter, not when the stairwell seemed to swallow him in smoke and shadows. My heart was a wild drumbeat, not from the men chasing us, but from the one who stayed between them and me.
We hit the lobby, the air colder, emptier, every echo too loud. Gideon’s voice cut through the haze—“Clear right!”—as he shoved open the side exit. The night air rushed in, sharp and biting, carrying the tang of exhaust and gunpowder.
River yanked me through the door, but I twisted again, panic clawing at me. Carter wasn’t there.
“Carter!” The cry ripped out before I could stop it.
He burst through a heartbeat later, slamming the door shut behind him, his chest heaving, sweat and smoke streaking his face. His eyes locked on mine, blazing with fury and something deeper—something that made my knees weaken even as my lungs fought for air.
“I told you—behind me,” he growled, his hand gripping my arm like a lifeline.
I wanted to tell him I was fine. That I could handle it. But the truth was, my body was shaking, adrenaline burning too hot. And the only thing holding me together was the feel of his hand, rough and steady, pulling me forward into the dark.
The night wasn’t quiet. Not anymore. Sirens wailed in the distance, shouts echoed from the building, engines roared down the street. We weren’t safe—not even close.
But Carter was here.
And as long as he was, I wasn’t going to fall apart.