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“Fine. But if you’re not back—”

“I’ll be back.”

Not hope.

Not optimism.

Fact.

Because there is no world where I walk out of these mountains without her.

Lucas turns immediately. “Move out!”

The group pushes deeper into the canyon fast and uneven while Clay and Miles cover the rear.

I stay exactly where I am.

Counting seconds.

Listening to gunfire echo through the rocks below.

Every shot tightens something vicious inside my chest.

Then finally—

Enough.

I move.

Boots hit loose rock hard as I start down the slope at a controlled slide. Gravel skids beneath my feet while sharp edges tear at my palms every time I steady myself against the canyon wall.

Dangerous.

Stupid.

Don’t care.

“Olivia!”

Nothing.

Cold dread crawls instantly down my spine.

I descend faster.

“Olivia!”

A beat later—

“I’m here!”

Relief slams into me so hard my knees almost give out.

I push the last stretch recklessly, dropping the final few feet onto the lower ledge.

And there she is.

Standing against the canyon wall.