Page 124 of After the Burn

I looked at Lucas, and he shrugged.

We didn’t have any better options.

The woods thinned gradually, revealing tall grass silvered by the fading light.

Beyond it stood a barn.

The structure leaned slightly to one side. Its red paint had faded almost entirely to gray. Half the roof had been patched with rusted tin, and one wide door hung ajar, swaying slightly in the breeze.

The squeak we’d heard came from an old weathervane turning above the roof. A farmhouse must’ve stood nearby once, but all that remained was a blackened foundation buried beneath weeds.

“I don’t see any vehicles.” Lucas had his head on a swivel.

Max growled, and we all looked at him. His gaze remained fixed on the barn.

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath.

Beck adjusted Harper. If he hadn’t been enhanced, there was absolutely no way he’d have been able to carry her this far. “We'll clear it.”

“I’m not leaving Harper.” Finley glanced around at the shadows surrounding us.

“Lucas and I’ll go,” Adrian said without hesitation.

“I’ll help.” I knew it was stupid, given how weak I felt, but I didn’t want them to go without me.

Three heads turned in my direction.

“I’m still capable of swinging a bat.”

They continued to stare at me like I was an idiot.

Honestly, I knew I was being ridiculous.

“You couldn’t have walked that last mile without Adrian’s help.” Lucas narrowed his eyes. “No fucking way you’re going to help clear out that barn.”

“I—”

“He’s right.” Adrian kissed the top of my head. “I won’t risk you.”

Lucas winked as I scowled at him.

That motherfucker had no right.

Colson intervened just as I was about to blast his ass. “I’ll go with them.”

Wren began to protest but stopped when he shot her a look.

Damn, I needed to learn how to do that. At this point, I thought nothing could stop Wren once she got started.

“Take GG with you.” I offered him my precious bat.

Wren gave me a grateful look. “Thank you, little sister. I’d send Mojo with him for protection, but he’s tired after the long walk.”

Colson accepted it without hesitation, tested its weight once, then started toward the barn.

Wren followed.

Colson stopped and looked back at her.