Chapter 38

Sage

The transport van rattled quietly as we turned off the main road and onto a gravel path hidden by overgrown trees. Rain hadn’t started yet, but the clouds above churned, heavy and swollen, promising a downpour that would make extraction hell. Good. Chaos is cover, and I’d take nature’s help over blind luck any day. Conner sat across from me, dressed in black like the reaper he was, checking his gear with deliberate calm. I caught him glancing my way again. Always watching. Always worrying. It was sweet, infuriating, but sweet.

“You’re staring,” I murmured, not looking up as I secured the last strap on my thigh holster.

“Your shoulder hurts,” he shot back, voice low.

“Barely,” I replied, flexing my leg for emphasis. “And I’ve shot better while injured.”

He didn’t argue. He knew better now. Luca’s voice crackled in our ears. “Storm’s about twenty minutes out. You’ve got a good window for insertion. Thermal’s up, minimal movement near your breach point.”

“Copy,” I said. “Tell Liam he moves on my signal.”