Page 119 of Rogue's Path

Don’t shake or the branches will vibrate.

Remember your training. A calm mind is a strong mind.

You strike first, and you never stop.

He’s just a man. They have weaknesses.

Ears.

Eyes.

Nose.

“The cabin is empty. Search the property.”

I know that voice.

“He might have stashed her in a shed or a storm shelter. That’s where Bear—”

Bear. That’s Rogue’s voice.

He found me.

“Rogue!”

“Rogue!” I crawl out of the bush.

“Peaches? Where are you?” His voice gets closer and closer.

“I’m here. I’m here.” I run, stumbling towards him. Flinging myself into his arms. “You’re here. I knew you’d come for me.”

“I’ll always come for you.”

He scoops me up into his arms, and I fuse my lips to his, letting all the terror be replaced by love. This man came for me. He will always come for me. Rogue is my own private superhero.

“Let’s get you out of here.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“He’s coming back. We need to get her first.”

Integer strides over. “Her?”

“Down in the storm shelter, there’s a woman. He drugged her and kidnapped her so he could kill her in front of me. We need to get her out. I’ll show you.”

Rogue squeezes his arms around me. “You don’t need to go anywhere with those bare feet. Integer.”

“On it.”

Rogue carries me to the truck and sets me on a seat. “You’re bleeding.”

“They’re nothing.” I’m alive, nothing else matters.

“Your pain always matters.” He opens a compartment under the seat and pulls out a first aid kit.

“Is there anything this truck doesn’t have?”