~LAUREN’S POV~

The gunshot broke the air like a whipcrack, sending my body into survival mode before my mind could catch up.

Julio moved fast. Faster than I thought possible for a man his age. He yanked me down, shielding me as the windshield shattered, spraying glass everywhere.

“Run, ahora! (Run, Now!)” he barked.

I hesitated for only a second—just long enough to see the men advancing, their guns aimed at the car.

Then I bolted.

The heels of my shoes sank into the soft earth as I ran toward the tree line, my breath coming in sharp gasps. The sound of bullets rang behind me, followed by Julio’s return...