Page 54 of Faron

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“Or freelancers. The kind that sell prisoners to the highest bidder.”

As if on cue, the lead man raised his rifle and signaled to someone behind him.

Kash floored it.

Bullets ripped through the windshield. Glass exploded. I ducked as a round clipped the dashboard. Kash swerved hard left, tires bucking over rock and dirt as we barreled into a ravine.

“They were waiting for us!” he shouted.

The Humvee slammed into the bottom of the gully, metal screaming. We bailed out fast, scrambling for cover as another burst of gunfire echoed overhead.

I hit the ground and clawed my way up the embankment, fingers digging into loose rock. Cyclone was right behind me. Grayson limped, bleeding again, but refused to slow. Kash stayed low, laying cover fire.

Then—

A voice.

Clear. Sharp. Unmistakable.

“FARON!”

I froze.

Time stopped.

I turned—and saw her.

Helmet low. Rifle raised. Fire in her eyes.

Blue.

Charging over the ridge like she was born for war. River and Gage flanked her. Gideon was already ahead, laying down tight, controlled fire.

“GO!”she shouted.

We moved.

We sprinted that last stretch like it was the only thing keeping us alive. I dropped beside her in the dirt, heart hammering like I’d been holding my breath for a week.

“Jesus Christ,” I gasped. “You’re here.”

“You think I was gonna let you die in a fucking ditch?” she shouted, never taking her eyes off the threat. “Tag’s watching Bear. I’ve got nothing holding me back.”

In the middle of chaos—I laughed.

Cyclone dropped beside us. “Reunions later. We’ve got company.”

Blue's eyes narrowed. “Then let’s end it.”

And just like that—we were fighting side by side again.

50

Blue

My rifle kicked hard against my shoulder as I dropped one of the bastards trying to flank us.

Faron was bleeding. Shoulder wound. He refused to stop.

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