The scream cut through the roar of machinery. Brandon looked up just in time to see the steel beam slipping from the crane—spinning, falling, seconds from disaster. The worker below didn’t even look up.
“Move!”
He didn’t think. He ran. The world blurred as he shoved the man out of the way, the beam crashing down beside them. A burst of pain tore through his arm, hot and blinding.
For a moment, there was only dust and ringing silence.
Then—Julia’s voice.
“Brandon!”
She pushed through the crowd of workers, her breath ragged, eyes wide with panic. She dropped to her knees beside him, hands trembling as she touched his arm. Blood slicked her fingers.
“God, you’re bleeding—”
“I’m fine,” he muttered through clenched teeth, wincing as he tried to stand.
“Fine?” Her voice shook. “You coul
