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“Yes, sir.”

Sage makes a tiny sound.

For one second, I think she’s crying.

Then I realize she almost laughed.

Good.

I’ll take it.

Vega folds the map.

“I’m riding with my deputies. You stay directly behind us.”

“We will.”

She walks toward her vehicle.

I turn to Sage.

She immediately shakes her head.

“No.”

“I haven’t said anything.”

“You’re going to tell me I can’t come.”

“You can’t come.”

“I knew it.”

“Sage.”

“She’s my mother.”

“And you’re the person Navarro wants.”

Her face tightens.

“He already has her because of me.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

I walk toward her.

She takes a step back.

“I’m not going to stand here while you blame yourself for choices made by grown men.”

“If I hadn’t⁠—”

“Stop.”

Her mouth closes.