Lina's POV
I settled back against his chest, my heartbeat slowly returning to normal.
But my mind was still racing.
"The genetic weapons he mentioned," I said quietly, trailing my fingers across his collarbone. "Is that why you came to Burndale? Why you risked everything?"
He didn't try to dodge the question this time.
"Yes." His voice was steady, matter-of-fact. "But the groundwork is done. Now it's Taylor's turn to move."
His hand came up to cup my face, his thumb brushing across my cheekbone.
"Luna Storm, don't worry. For you and the baby, I'm not going to let myself die here."
The words hit me like a slap.
*Die here.*
I pressed my fingers over his mouth, hard enough to make him blink in surprise.
"Don't you *dare* say that," I said fiercely.
*This
