Page 34 of Tag (The Golden Team #9)

We cleared the ridge in seconds, boots pounding earth, lungs burning.

A low rumble chased us.

Then the ranch roared —a deep, thunderous blast that lit the sky in orange and black.

The earth shook beneath us. Flames climbed thirty feet high. The roof of the ranch caved in, swallowing Graves’ secrets with it.

We stood there, panting, watching the smoke twist into the night.

Kaylie stirred in the SUV, blinking blearily. “Is it over?”

Aponi crouched beside her. “For you? Yes. For them?” Her eyes burned. “We’re just getting started.”

Faron handed me the final flash drive—charred around the edges, but intact. “This is Graves’ fail-safe. Bet your ass he’s got people who’ll be coming for it.”

I looked at Aponi. “That explosion was a declaration.”

She met my eyes, unflinching. “Then let them come.”