Chapter 17 Adam
Adam
Headlights crested the ridge, beams cutting through the rain. Engines snarled, too many to count. Reinforcements.
“Boone, Russ—load the survivors. Get them out, now,” I barked.
Boone didn’t argue for once. He grabbed the boy first, scooping him into his arms, then waved the others toward Russ. They hustled to the Jeep, boots splashing through the mud, fear sharp in the air.
“Blade, Hawk—rear guard,” I snapped. “Slow them down. We need thirty seconds.”
Hawk was already moving, rifle up, muttering something under his breath like a prayer or a curse. Blade just nodded once, calm as ever, before vanishing into the treeline.
I turned to Raine. She stood beside me, drenched, jaw tight, rifle steady. Stubborn to the bone.
“You’re getting in that Jeep,” I said.
Her eyes flashed. “Like hell I am. I’m not leaving while you’re out here.”
I stepped closer, the roar of the engines closing in. “This isn’t a debate, Raine. You’ve got civilians to protect. Let me and my men handle the rest.”
For a heartbeat, she didn’t move. I could see the war in her eyes—every instinct screaming to fight, to stand shoulder to shoulder with us.
Then a bullet snapped past, close enough to sting my cheek with dirt.
I shoved her down behind the SUV, shielding her with my body. The night erupted in gunfire.
“Damn it, Raine!” My voice was raw in her ear. “If you stay, I’ll be watching you instead of the fight. And that’ll get us both killed.”
Her breath came fast, warm against my neck. She looked up at me, defiant even now. “Then stop watching me.”
I stared at her, my chest twisting, because we both knew that was impossible.
Boone shouted from the Jeep, “We’re loaded! Move!”
I hauled Raine up, my hand locking around hers. “You’re going. With them.”
She tried to yank free, but my grip didn’t break. Not this time.
“Adam—”
“Don’t argue.” My voice dropped low, almost a growl. “I’ll find you when it’s done. That’s a promise.”
Her eyes burned into mine, fierce and unyielding. But for once, she didn’t fight me. She let me push her toward the Jeep.
The second the doors slammed shut and the engine roared, I turned back to the ridge, rifle up, heart pounding.
And prayed I’d bought her enough time.