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“Police?”

“Yes.”

“You brought the police.”

Sean looks toward the mine entrance.

Another burst of gunfire erupts.

Closer.

“Taylor, get the tactical team to these girls.”

Taylor grabs his radio.

“Arthur, Greg is not dead he stays here.”

“Gladly.”

Sean turns to me.

“You need to stay in one of these rooms.”

“No.”

His eyes narrow.

“We really don’t have time to argue about this.”

“Then don’t argue.”

For half a second, he just stares at me.

Eighteen years have changed almost everything about him.

Apparently, they haven’t changed that look.

I point toward the corridor.

“Those girls trust me. They don’t know you, and they don’t know the officers coming into this mine. I’m going back to them.”

His expression changes.

He knows I’m right.

I don't wait for him to admit it.

“Hayley.”

I stop.

Sean steps closer.

Not touching me.

Not trying to pull me into his arms again.

Just looking at me as if he still can’t quite believe I’m standing here.