Chapter 63
Russ
The team is quieter than usual.
Not tense.
Not off.
Just… different.
We made it back.
Mission complete.
Doctors safe.
Kids are alive and safe in another country for now.
That should be enough.
Most of the time—
It is.
But this one?
This one sticks.
I lean back against the railing, watching the rest of the team spread out across the deck.
Lucas and Miles are arguing over something that doesn’t matter.
Boone is leaning against the wall, half-listening, half somewhere else. Probably thinking of Wren.
Clay—
He’s standing off to the side.
Cleared for light movement.
Not happy about it.
Of course.
But he’s here.
Alive.
That’s what matters.
My gaze shifts—
And lands on Hannah.
She’s across the deck.
Talking to one of the other doctors.
But she’s not really focused on the conversation.
Not fully.
Because every so often—
Her eyes drift.
Right back to him.
Yeah.
That’s not subtle.
Not to anyone paying attention.
And Clay?
He’s not looking at her.
Not once.
But I’ve seen the way his focus shifts.
The way his attention tracks—
Without turning his head.
He knows exactly where she is.
Yeah.
That’s going to be a problem.
I almost smile.
Because I’ve seen this before.
That push.
That pull.
That refusal to admit something’s there—
Right up until it explodes.
And those two?
They’re already halfway there.
“You’re staring.”
Olivia’s voice pulls me back.
I glance down at her.
She’s leaning against the railing beside me now.
Close.
Comfortable.
Like she belongs there.
“You noticed,” I say.
“I always notice.”
That gets a real smile out of me.
“Those two,” I nod slightly toward Clay and Hannah.
“What about them?” she asks.
“They’re going to either kill each other,” I say, “or end up together.”
She studies them for a second.
Longer than most people would.
Because she sees things.
Understands things.
Then—
“Both,” she says.
I huff out a quiet laugh.
“Yeah,” I agree. “Probably both.”
Her shoulder brushes lightly against mine.
Not accidental.
Not unsure.
Just… there.
“You think they know?” she asks.
“No.”
“Not yet.”
She nods slightly.
“Good.”
That makes me glance at her.
“Why’s that?”
A small smile touches her lips.
“Because that means it’s going to be interesting.”
Yeah.
That’s one word for it.
My gaze shifts back to Clay.
Then to Hannah.
Still not looking at each other.
Still fully aware.
Still—
Yeah.
This isn’t over.
Not even close.
And something tells me—
Their story?
It’s going to be one hell of a ride.