She trusts me.
Roscov just made that personal.
“Cyclone,” Aaron snaps into comms, “we’ve got eyes on the heavy escort, but Ascendancy is flooding the ravine. We’re not holding this position.”
Cyclone’s voice crackles back.“Copy. You’ve got ninety seconds before they’re on you. Bird can’t land with that many hostiles in play.”
River swears under his breath. “We’re out of time.”
I scan the terrain—rock face to our left, ravine drop to our right, tree line collapsing inward. This is exactly where Roscov wanted us.
But he made one mistake.
He assumed I’d play defense.
“River,” I say calmly, already moving. “Get the Golden Team clear.”
He turns sharply. “Ronan—”
“She’s injured. You’ve got medics. You’ve got more men wounded from the crash.” I glance at Lena, then back at him. “I’ve got Delta Five.”
Aaron stiffens. “You’re not staying behind alone.”
“I’m not,” I answer. “I’m staying with my team.”
Beckett looks between us, understanding hitting his eyes. “You’re going to draw them.”
“Yes.”
River steps closer, lowering his voice. “This isn’t a solo mission.”
“No,” I agree. “It’s an execution.”
Lena’s fingers tighten in my jacket.
“Ronan…” she whispers.
I turn, cupping her face gently despite the chaos. Snow clings to her lashes. Fear lives in her eyes—but so does steel.
“They’re hunting us,” she says.
“No,” I correct quietly. “They’re hunting me.”
Her breath shudders. “Then don’t let them take you.”
A promise forms in my chest—heavy, permanent.
“I won’t.”
River steps in, gripping my shoulder hard. “We exfil now. Golden Team moves south, back to California. Delta Five stays dark. Off-grid.”
“Good,” I say. “That’s how we work best.”
Cyclone cuts back in.“Pierce, say the word.”
I lift my rifle, eyes already tracking movement in the trees.
“Do it.”
