Page 30 of Fall of Dawn

I run my hands along the straps, desperately looking to release them. To get the hell away.

“Georgia.” He covers my hands with his. “Calm down.”

“Let go. You’re with them. In DC, the Saints tried to—” I choke on the memory of it.

“That wasn’t us. We had splinter groups. You have to know I’d never approve anything like that. Anything that put you in danger.”

My ears are ringing, my face hot, hands cold. “Let me go.”

His grip only tightens. “You’re hyperventilating.”

“Let go!” I yank against him, panic screaming through my mind.

“Georgia, you have to calm down. You’re having a panic attack. I get it. But I need you to relax. You’re safe with me. I would never hurt you like that monster did. You understand that, right? You’re with the good guys now.”

It’s even darker now, pitch black. I can’t get free. I can’t breathe.

A deep, metal thump sounds from overhead.

A hangar door ahead of us begins to open, light pouring in from the other side.

Gage is still in front of me, concern in his eyes as he releases my safety straps.

“Breathe, Georgia.” He backs away. “You’re safe here. I swear to you. I’ll give my life to keep you safe.”

I bend over, head between my knees, and try to take deep breaths.

Voices, several of them, erupt outside the helicopter.

“Secured.”

“Is that her?”

“It’s her!”

“Holy fucking hell, boys. We got her.”

“Give us some room!” Gage barks.

“Sorry, sir,” a man close by says. “Everyone, out!”

Eyes clenched shut, I keep breathing in slowly until my ears stop ringing and I’m relatively certain I’m not going to pass out. I sit up and wipe the cold sweat off my brow with the sleeve of my sweater.

“Sorry about that. They know all about you.” Gage holds out his hand to me. “They didn’t want to hope too much that you’d come, that I could get you out, but this—you—are a big deal. There’s no other way to say it.”

“Great,” I groan.

“We aren’t leaving!” A woman’s voice. “This is still America, asshole! You can’t stop us!” I know that voice.

“Evie?” I get up, my legs wobbling.

“Ma’am, Colonel Howard instructed us to clear the?—”

“I’ll give you something to clear, my dude. You’re about to meet my Krav Maga. Say a prayer to your preferred deity.”

“Wyatt?” My voice cracks. “Is that Wyatt?”

Gage takes my arm and helps me out of the helicopter.