Becca’s heart slammed against her ribs as instinct took over. She moved before she could think, grabbing Christina’s hand and pulling her close.
“Stay with me,” she said, her voice sharp, urgent.
“I am—I am,” Christina cried, fingers locking tightly with hers as bodies began crashing into them from all sides.
Security shouted commands that no one followed. Men pushed toward exits. Others reached for the girls they’d come for, like possessions slipping through their hands. The room turned into a storm of movement—fast, violent, unpredictable.
Becca tried to find a direction—any direction—but every path looked the same. Every turn led into more chaos.
Another blast echoed, closer this time.
The force of it sent a wave through the crowd, knocking people off balance. Becca stumbled but didn’t fall, tightening her grip on Christina as she pulled her forward.
“We need to move—now!”
But move where?
The exits were blocked. The guards were scattered. Smoke began to creep into the air, thick and suffocating, making it harder to see, harder to think.
Then—
Something changed.
Not the chaos.
Something within it.
A presence moved against the current. Not panicked. Not lost. Purposeful. Controlled. Cutting through the madness like it belonged to a different world entirely.
Becca didn’t see him coming.
One second, she was pushing forward with Christina—the next, she was being pulled back.
Hard.
A strong arm wrapped around her, dragging her into a solid chest. Her body reacted instantly—she twisted, fighting, adrenaline surging as she tried to break free.
“Let me go!” she snapped, struggling against the grip.
No response.
Only movement.
Fast. Decisive.
He didn’t hesitate. Didn’t slow. He just moved, pulling her with him, weaving through bodies, dodging collisions, navigating the chaos like he already knew exactly where he was going.
“Christina!” Becca yelled, reaching back.
Their hands were still connected.
Barely.
Fingers straining. Slipping.
“Don’t let go!” Christina screamed, her voice breaking as the crowd surged harder between them.
Becca twisted, fighting against the hold around her, reaching as far as she could. “I’ve got you—!”
