Page 88 of Scars of Trust

Miles drags one terrified teenager through the gap while Clay fires overhead cover.

Then—

“Russ!”

Olivia.

Even through gunfire, I know her voice instantly.

I don’t turn.

Can’t afford to.

“What?”

“Be careful.”

The words hit somewhere low and dangerous in my chest.

Almost enough to make me look back.

Almost.

Instead I reload fast and fire again.

“Always am.”

Lie.

Biggest one I’ve told all day.

Behind me, I hear the last civilians squeezing through the pass.

“Final group moving!” Lucas shouts.

Good.

Clay falls back first.

Then Miles.

Lucas next.

I stay last automatically, covering the choke point while bullets hammer the rocks around me.

One of the enemy fighters rushes forward below.

Too aggressive.

I drop him before he makes five steps.

The others slow immediately after that.

Smart.

They know charging this pass gets them killed.

Which buys us seconds.