She put a trembling hand on Ranger’s back. “Please… stop. Just let us pass.”

“Oh, she talks,” the tall recruit mocked. “What’s next? You gonna chase us down?”

Ranger whimpered.

Emily felt tears burn hot behind her eyes—not from fear, but from anger at herself for being afraid.

And then—

A shadow moved.

Slow.
Steady.
Purposeful.

From behind a Humvee parked near the building, a man stepped into view.

No uniform, no visible rank markers.

Just jeans, a plain gray T-shirt, and the kind of posture that immediately shut down any lingering arrogance in the recruits.

Broad shoulders.
Calm expression.
Eyes like steel that had seen too much and forgotten nothing.

The kind of man whose presence changed the air.

“Step away from her.”

The recruits stiffened.