Rage and terror written in every line of him.
“Step away from them,” he snarls, voice like gravel being dragged over steel.
Eric laughs. “Or what?”
Tony fires again.
This time the bullet grazes Eric’s thigh.
Eric screams, clutching his leg.
Tiffany lunges, slamming her shoulder into him before he can regain balance.
He stumbles.
Slips.
Falls— His scream echoes until the sickening thud finally silences it.
My stomach lurches.
Tiffany grips the beam with shaking hands, staring down.
Then she turns to me.
“Move,” she breathes. “Before someone else shows up.”
Tony reaches the ladder at the bottom, shouting up, “Holley! Tiff! Come down—now!”
I move without thinking—down the ladder, into Tony’s waiting arms.
He grabs me the second my feet touch the ground—pulling me into him so hard my bruises scream. His hands are everywhere—my shoulders, my arms, my face—checking, counting, confirming I’m alive.
“Holley,” he rasps, voice breaking. “Are you hurt? Did he touch you? Did they?—?”
“I’m okay,” I choke. “I’m okay, Tony. I’m here.”
He presses his forehead to mine, breath shaking. “I thought I lost you.”
His arms tighten like he’s terrified I’ll disappear.
Tiffany climbs down next.
Smoke’s there before she even hits the ground, grabbing her face, checking for blood, cursing under his breath.
She rolls her eyes. “Smoke, I’m fine, stop?—”
He pulls her into a crushing hug.
She melts into it, just for a second before pushing him away.
I look up at Tony.
His jaw is clenched tight, his eyes burning into mine like he can’t decide whether to hold me tighter or never let me near danger again.
“You saved us,” I whisper.
“No,” he says, voice low and rough. “You saved yourselves. I just got here in time for the exit.”
