After a moment he says, “Extraction team is inbound. Ten minutes out.”
“Good,” I answer without looking away from Lena. “We’ll be ready.”
A long pause. Then, softly:
“Ronan… she trusts you.”
Lena’s fingers tighten around mine.
I finally look up at him. “She should.”
He nods once — a soldier acknowledging another soldier’s truth — then steps out, giving us space.
Lena’s breathing evens out as the fluids take hold. Color returns to her cheeks. Her lashes flutter as she watches me, like she’s afraid if she blinks, I’ll disappear.
“I didn’t think you’d really find me,” she whispers.
My jaw flexes. “Then you underestimate how far I’m willing to go for you.”
Her eyes fill — not with fear this time.
With something else.
Hope.
Recognition.
Something that hits me square in the ribs.
She whispers, “Stay with me… please.”
I lean in, my forehead brushing hers, my voice a vow:
“Always.”
Outside, the team prepares for exfil.
Inside, Lena’s hand rests in mine — small, trembling, but alive.
And I swear to myself — to her — no one will ever take her from me again.
\
16
Ronan
Location: Mountain Extraction Zone
0450 Hours
The chop of rotor blades hits before the helicopter crests the ridge.
Cold air whips through the trees, blowing snow across the landing zone we carved out earlier. The Golden Team and the Delta Five form a perimeter while the medics finish stabilizing Lena. She’s pale, leaning heavily against me, my coat wrapped around her shoulders. Thick socks on her feet.
She hasn’t let go of my hand once.
And I haven’t let go of hers.
