The night air hit Danny like a slap—cold, sharp, smelling of rain and asphalt instead of smoke and sterilization chemicals. The transition from the choking heat of the imploding facility to the open dark outside was so abrupt it made his head spin.

But Chloe didn’t stir in his arms.

Her head was nestled against his collarbone, breath shallow but steady, limp in a way that made something primitive in him clench. He tightened his hold without thinking, adjusting her weight as he moved ...