Sean jerks his head toward the lower level. “Far end room. Left side.”
My jaw clenches. Knox’s room—the fucking coward took his bed.
Footsteps thunder above. I turn just in time to hear Max yell,
“Gun!”
Everything slows, but I don’t think I move.
I throw myself in front of Sean, gun raised, ready to take the fucking shot for him if I have to, because if he doesn’t make it to Knox? Then none of this fucking matters.
“We’ve got a man down,” I rasp.
Sean turns to me instantly. Max and Ryker split off, flanking the front and rear to cover us. No one gets through without eating lead.
Sean grabs his bag, already moving toward the table. “What do you need?”
“He was shot in the side, lost a lot of blood.” My words come fast. “He was unconscious when we left.”
Sean doesn’t hesitate. “I’ve got everything.” He zips the bag and slings it over his shoulder.
“He’s our brother,” I say, and my voice fucking breaks. “Our leader. He carried us through the goddamn end of the world.”
A tear slips down my cheek. I wipe it fast. No time for that shit.
Sean puts a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll do everything I can, Dante. I swear.”
I nod, jaw tight. “Ryker. ” He turns to me, already knowing. “Take him to Knox.”
Ryker moves to Sean’s side. “Come on, Doc.” They slip out, back through the cut fence.
Max and I cover them, firing short bursts into the growing noise.
Two of Roman’s men come charging from the south wall. Gunfire rips through the air. One shot nearly hits Ryker.
My vision blurs red.
No.
I drop my rifle.
Rush the bastard. He’s out of ammo. I grab him by the throat, lift, and twist.
His neck snaps, bones crunching like dry branches, and I smile. I will fucking kill all of them with my hands.
“Let’s fuck this shit, Grave,” I growl.
Max grins, and we move.
Bullets fly, but we don’t stop. Even if I run out of rounds, even if my fists bleed down to the bone, I will reach Roman.
And I’ll finish what Knox started.
Outside’s cleared.
The bodies twitch in the dirt behind us, steam rising from their wounds, blood soaking into the earth. Max reloads beside me. One bullet left. I’ve got none.
We don’t speak. We don’t need to.
