Chapter 16 Raine
Raine
The gunfire faded into silence, leaving only the hiss of rain and the ragged sound of my own breathing. My hands still trembled around the rifle, adrenaline burning hot through my veins.
I forced myself to lower the weapon.
The van’s interior reeked of gasoline and sweat. Three survivors stared back at me, eyes wide, faces ghost-pale under the dim dome light. Their wrists were raw from rope, duct tape still pressed against their mouths.
I climbed in fast, knife flashing as I cut bindings. “You’re safe now,” I murmured, though the words felt thin against the truth. Safe for now.
The boy in the middle couldn’t have been more than twelve. He flinched at every movement until I peeled the tape from his mouth. His whisper was barely audible. “They said… they said they were taking us to the hospital.”
My stomach dropped.
Adam appeared at the door, rifle slung, eyes sweeping the inside before landing on me. For a second, the hard edges softened. “You got them?”
“Yeah.” I tugged the last rope free, guiding the boy out. “But Adam… they weren’t just transporting. They were recruiting. Lying.”
His jaw flexed, the storm back in his expression. He didn’t answer, but I could see the truth in his eyes—he already knew.
Behind us, Russ and Boone dragged the unconscious masked men into a pile, zip-tying wrists. Hawk called in coordinates, his voice low and tight. Blade just stood near the treeline, watching, knife still in hand.
“Look at them.” I gestured to the survivors, to their bruised wrists and terror-stricken eyes. “This isn’t some rogue crew skimming supplies. This is organized. Coordinated. And if we don’t tear it out by the roots—”
“Raine.” Adam’s voice cut through mine, sharp but quiet. “Not here. Not now.”
My anger spiked. “When, then? How many more do they take before you admit this is bigger than all of us?”
His eyes locked on mine, steady and unflinching. “I’ve already admitted it. But if you keep throwing yourself into the fire, I won’t be able to pull you out every time.”
The words slammed into me, raw and unwanted. For a heartbeat, the chaos faded, leaving just the two of us standing in the rain, tethered by everything we hadn’t said.
Then Boone whistled low, breaking the spell. “Hate to ruin the moment, but we’ve got company inbound. Lights on the ridge.”
I looked up, heart seizing. More vans. More masked men.
Adam’s hand brushed mine as he stepped in front of me, weapon raised. “Stay close, Carter.”
And for once, I didn’t argue.