Chapter 67 Aspen
Aspen
“Stay down,” I tell Dylan, my hand firm on his shoulder.
“I’m not moving,” he says, eyes wide but steady.
Good.
Good kid.
Buddy growls low, protective, pressed against him like a barrier.
Another shot.
Closer.
“Back room!” Trigger orders.
I hesitate.
Just for a second.
Because I know what that means.
Leaving.
And something in me doesn’t want to.
Not this time.
Not when—
“Aspen!”
Havoc’s voice cuts through everything.
I look up.
He’s already moving toward the front.
Gun in hand.
Injured.
Bleeding again.
And still going.
“No,” I say, pushing to my feet.
His eyes snap to mine.
“Get them safe,” he orders.
“I can help—”
“ASPEN.”
That stops me.
Not the volume.
Not the command.
The fear.
For me.
I swallow.
Turn back to Dylan.
“Come on,” I say, pulling him up.
We move toward the back.
But I feel it.
Every step away from him.
Like I’m leaving something behind.