We loaded Scout into the van, Brutus and I bracketing him on either side. Ranger slid in last with Smoke, the dog immediately pressing his head into Scout’s lap.
Scout exhaled shakily. “Missed you, buddy.”
Smoke wagged his tail like he’d been waiting for that exact moment.
The engine turned over.
As we pulled away, Scout leaned back against the seat, eyes closing briefly.
Then they snapped open again.
“Wrecker,” he said.
“Yeah.”
“They talked about you,” he said quietly. “About the redhead. About Iron Battalion.”
My jaw tightened.
“They’re not scared,” Scout continued. “They’re curious.”
That was worse.
Cap turned slightly in his seat. “We’ll handle it.”
Scout’s laugh was bitter. “You better. Because they think they can take more.”
The compound gates came into view.
Home.
Scout sagged visibly as we rolled inside, relief finally cracking through the fury.
Doc was already waiting, medical kit in hand, expression tight.
Scout eyed him. “You look pissed.”
“I am,” Doc said flatly. “Sit down and shut up.”
Scout smiled faintly. “Missed you too.”
As Doc started assessing injuries, Scout looked back at me.
“They didn’t win,” he said.
I shook my head. “No. They didn’t.”
But the fight wasn’t over.
Not even close.
And we all knew it.
26
AMANDA
I didn’t know Scout was back until I heard him.
