Chapter 8 - The Reunion of SurvivorsBehind Wes, a dozen elite security guards swarmed the alley, quickly disarming and handcuffing the two mercenaries before shoving them into the back of an armored SUV.
Wes dropped instantly to one knee, ignoring the sharp pain in his bruised ribs. He reached out gently, his calloused hands resting softly on Josie’s trembling shoulders.
“I’ve got you,” Wes whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re safe now, Josie. I promise you, no one will ever hurt you again.”
Josie stared up at him, her wide green eyes filled with a mixture of fear and profound disbelief. “You... you’re the man from the car.”
“I am,” Wes smiled warmly, pulling off his expensive cashmere scarf and wrapping it gently around her shivering neck. “And you’re the bravest little girl in this entire city. You saved my life. Now, it’s my turn to save yours.”
He carefully scooped her up into his arms. Despite her thin frame, she felt heavier than he expected—weighted down by the immense burden of a childhood spent surviving on the streets.
As Wes carried her toward the warm interior of waiting luxury transport, he felt a small, cold object drop from the pocket of her oversized coat, clinking softly against the pavement.
Wes paused, looking down.
May you like
It was a faded red soda-bottle cap.
He picked it up, slipping it carefully into his breast pocket right over his heart.
