DANIEL
Thesmell of electrical fire and sulfur clings to my jacket.Theharsh odor fills the cab of the truck, mixing with the metallic tang of dried blood on my knuckles and the sharp sting of cold sweat.
Myhands tighten on the steering wheel until the leather creaks.
Inthe rearview mirror,Kevinlies strapped to the stretcher in the back of the medical transport, his face a mess of bruises and soot.Hischest rises and falls in a steady rhythm, proving we actually got him out alive.
Besideme,Kailastares out the window at the passing pines, her frame vibrating with a tremor she couldn't suppress.Nota single word has left her lips since we fled the burning compound.Herfingers clamp around the obsidian stoneI'vegiven her, the skin stretched tight over bone.
"He'ssafe,"Irumble.Myvocal cords grind together like gravel in a mixer. "We'refive minutes out from the gate.Docwill look at him."
Shekeeps her gaze fixed on the glass. "Theysaw my face,Daniel.Thatlieutenant.Hesaw me."
"Doesn'tmatter."
"Everythingmatters," she snaps, turning to face my profile.Herpupils swallow the hazel of her eyes. "TheCostasdon't leave witnesses.Andthey have my digital footprint.Theyknow whoIam."
"Letthem come."
"Youdon't get it!"Herpalm slaps hard against the dashboard. "I'ma liability.Aslong asIstay,I'ma target painted on the back of your club.Ihave to go.OnceKevinis stable,Ihave to?—"
Islam on the brakes.
Theheavy tires skid on the icy gravel, fishtailing wildly before jolting to a halt on the shoulder of the mountain road.Ourheadlights cut through the darkness, illuminating the swirling snow.
Iunbuckle and twist in my seat, clamping my fingers around her chin with a possessive grip.Iforce her focus entirely on me.
"Saythat again,"Igrowl.
"Daniel—"
"Tellme you're leaving.Seewhat happens."
Herbreath hitches, creating a small puff of fog between us. "I'mtrying to protect you.Ifthey trace my location to theBrokenHalos, they’ll bring theFedsdown on everyone.Ihave a rap sheet ten miles long,Daniel.I’mradioactive."
"You'remine."
"I'ma danger to your family!"
"Youare my family now."Ilean in, dragging my nose across the slope of hers. "YouthinkIpulled your brother out of a fire just to let you walk away?YouthinkIburned my cover for a temporary arrangement?"
Themuscles in her throat bob. "You'recrazy."
"I'mfocused."Irelease her chin and shift back into gear, punching the gas.Therear tires spin, eventually catching traction on the frozen mud. "We'regoing home.Iplan to fix this permanently."
Weroar through the iron gates of theClubhousethree minutes later.Thecompound stands wide awake, floodlights bathing the gravel lot in blinding white light.LoganandShanewait on the porch with their cuts zipped high against the biting cold.
Idon't wait for the truck to stop rolling before throwing my door open and yanking the rear handle.
"Gethim to the infirmary,"Ibark atChase, who jogs up with a rolling stretcher. "Smokeinhalation.Possiblecracked ribs.Hookhim up to oxygen."
Chasejerks a chin toward the stretcher, silently signalingOliverto grabKevin'slegs. "Wegot him,Tracker.Go."
Kailaspills out of the passenger side, hovering near her brother.Herfingers brush his limp arm as the men load his dead weight. "Kevin..."
"He'sin good hands,Kaila."Logansteps down the wooden stairs.ThePresidentof theBrokenHaloseyes the blood drying on my jacket, his sharp gaze shifting to the woman at my side. "Yougood?"
"I..."Shetracks the stretcher disappearing into the building, her attention snapping back to me. "I'mfine."