Chapter 20
Olivia
We run straight at the vehicles.
Because there’s nowhere else left to go.
The little girl’s hand is locked tightly in mine as we sprint across uneven ground while gunfire cracks behind us hard enough to echo through the canyon walls.
Every step tears pain through my side.
Hot.
Sharp.
Relentless.
Ignore it.
“Stay close!” I shout over the chaos.
The girl nods breathlessly beside me, stumbling over loose rock as engines roar louder ahead.
Men spill from the vehicles with rifles raised.
Too many.
“DOWN!” someone yells.
I hit the dirt instantly, dragging the little girl beneath me as bullets rip overhead.
Stone explodes beside us.
Dust fills my mouth.
My ears ring violently.
“Up!”
Russ.
Always Russ.
I’m moving before my brain even catches up.
We scramble forward between jagged rocks while Clay and Lucas lay down cover fire above us.
Gunshots crack so close I feel the vibration through the ground.
“Left side’s thinner!” Clay shouts.
“Take it!” Lucas barks back.
The whole group shifts direction immediately.
I push the little girl ahead of me—
Then my footing slips on loose gravel.
Pain flashes white-hot through my ribs as I stumble sideways.
Strong hands catch me instantly.
Russ.
His grip locks around my arm and waist hard enough to steady both of us.
“I’ve got you.”
His voice hits low against the chaos around us.
Close.
Certain.
“I’m fine—”
“Sure you are.”
He doesn’t release me this time.
Doesn’t even try.
He drags me forward beside him while bullets slam into the canyon behind us.
The vehicles loom closer now.
Doors open.
More armed men pouring out.
Too close.
Way too close.
“Move!” Lucas roars.
Gunfire erupts again.
I duck instinctively, pulling the little girl down beside me as dirt explodes inches away.
My pulse pounds so hard I can barely hear.
Then suddenly—
Everything slows.
A flicker of movement breaks from the right side near the vehicles.
A man.
Fast.
Not aiming for the team.
Not aiming for Russ.
The children.
Cold dread crashes through me instantly.
No.
Absolutely not.
The little girl beside me freezes in terror.
And before I can think—
I move.
I shove her backward behind me and throw myself directly into the man’s path.
“NO!”