Branches whipped at Valentina’s arms as she stumbled deeper into the woods, her legs screaming with every step. Adrian’s hand was like iron around hers, dragging her forward, forcing her body to obey when every muscle begged her to collapse.
She couldn’t stop.
She wouldn’t stop.
Behind them, shouts rang out. Gunshots cracked like thunder in the heavy air.
"They’re getting closer," she gasped.
Adrian shot her a grim look but said nothing. His face was set, jaw clenched tight, sweat glistening at his temples. The cut on his arm had soaked his sleeve dark, and Valentina knew he was running on pure willpower.
So was she.
Their feet slipped on the uneven ground, and at one point, Valentina tripped over a root. She hit the dirt hard, breath knocked from her lungs. For one dizzying moment,
