Page 106 of Scars of Trust

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!”

21

Russ

She moves before I can stop her.

Of course she does.

One second she’s beside me—

The next she’s launching herself toward the threat like her own safety never even crossed her mind.