Page 79 of Us Defiant Few

Khalani sighed, staring ahead at the vast desert. “It’s not that complicated. Desert Spring needed help.”

“There were others in the group who could’ve stepped up.”

“I’d rather risk myself than anyone else.”

“Why?”

“Because I love them.” She clenched her fingers tighter around the straps of her backpack.

“Your love for them outweighs yourself?” he asked, his expression puzzled.

“Isn’t that the only way to love someone?”

Khalani crossed her arms as the weighted silence extended, fearing she’d revealed too much to him.

That of all the weaknesses she possessed, he was her greatest.

Not because of the damage he could do to her.

But for all the ways she would break for him.

“You asked me why I came,” he said at last. “I wanted to keep an eye on you.”

“Thought so.” She heaved a deep sigh, her shoulders sagging. “I’m your enemy, and you can’t trust me, blah blah.”

The corner of his lip quirked up. “True,” he whispered, a dangerous gleam entering his eyes as he leaned in. “But I’m not through with you yet. So if you can’t be trusted to watch your back, someone else has to.”

Her breath caught at the subtle warning.

Takeshi didn’t say another word or give her a chance to respond. He just walked away, leaving her mouth dangling open.

* * *

Ferren raised a finger to his lips as the seven of them crouched behind a crumbled building.

Khalani held her gun tight, pointing to the sandy ground as she scanned the deserted area.

The sun had started its ascent, casting minimal light over them. The smell of grit and dust was heavy in the air as they waited at the edge of a small, abandoned town.

“The store is at the end of the street,” Ferren whispered, his shoulders stiff. “Stay close to the buildings. Ready?”

They nodded, tension pouring off them. Especially Takeshi.

A burning fire lit beneath his gaze as he gripped the handgun like it was an extension of himself.

Adrenaline seeped through her veins as they moved around the weathered structures. The town had a main street, but unlike Desert Spring, no grass decorated the dusty road. No laughing children danced between the buildings.

All sense of peace and comfort had long vanished.

For a split second, a vision entered her mind. Hundreds of people milled about the street, celebrating as colorful balls of fire exploded in the sky. Her lips parted in awe, but just as quickly as the scene came, it disappeared, revealing a barren wasteland of ruined buildings.

Her steps faltered, and she felt Takeshi behind her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

The heat and dehydration were clearly taking their toll.