Page 29 of Tag (The Golden Team #9)

The tunnel smelled like earth and damp concrete, barely tall enough to crouch.

I kept a grip on my mom’s wrist, guiding her through the dark with Tag’s hand resting between my shoulder blades.

I couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe. My brain buzzed with adrenaline and betrayal and the sound of gunfire still echoing in my skull.

My mother stumbled. Tag caught her.

“Keep moving,” he said. “We’re almost there.”

Faron’s voice echoed from ahead. “Light up ahead. I see it.”

We burst out of the tunnel into the rain-soaked alley behind the shelter.

But we weren’t safe yet.

A black SUV roared around the corner.

Tag raised his weapon.

And then—

CRACK.

A shot rang out from the rooftop above.

The SUV swerved.

Tires squealed. Gunfire erupted again—but this time it wasn’t aimed at us.

It was backup.

Gideon’s voice came through on Tag’s comms. “You’re welcome.”

I collapsed against the wall, soaked and shaking.

Tag holstered his weapon and turned to me, panting. “You good?”

I nodded, eyes locked on my mother—who knelt in the mud, bleeding and breathless.

“This isn’t over,” I said.

Tag reached for my hand.

“No,” he said. “But you’re not facing it alone.”