More guards push in from the far side of the warehouse.
Alex sees it first. “More incoming.”
Enzo swears under his breath. “Of course there is.”
Francesco grins, dark. “Good.”
Gunfire erupts again.
Max’s grip on my waist tightens, and then he moves, pulling me back, hard, straight behind him.
Shielding me.
“Stay behind me.”
I try to move around him. “I can fight—”
His hand tightens instantly, dragging me back into place.
“I know.”
“That’s not why you’re staying behind me.”
My breath catches.
A guard rushes in—
Max fires, killing him immediately.
Another shot from the side—Cassian covering Kai and Gabriel as they’re pulled upright.
Kai’s voice is rough. “We need to move.”
“Working on it,” Alex replies, already repositioning.
Max shifts again, one hand still locked at my wa
