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With shaking hands, I lifted two slats, holding my breath as I peered outside. I stood where I was for at least a full minute. Seeing nothing, I was ready to back away.

Then movement caught my attention.

There was no vehicle, but my senses remained electrified.

Someone was outside. I was positive I was right.

Forcing myself to remain in position took everything I had. Another minute passed. Tank continued growling, although the sound was much deeper. When I glanced at the sweet boy, I noticed he’d finally bared his teeth.

A lump formed in my throat and I continued scanning the area. There it was again, movement behind the trees. Squinting, I tried not to blink as I watched for anything appearing out of the norm.

Barely twenty seconds later, I was certain I caught sight of a dark shadow. More movement. Was I crazy?

A shift from the opposite side. Another dark form.

Oh, my God. I pulled back, easing against the wall. Every breath was difficult, pain forming in my chest. There were two men outside. I was positive that’s what I’d seen. What the hell was I supposed to do? I wasn’t naïve enough to believe the house was impenetrable. If I was right, whoever was outside would simply kick down the wooden door.

I looked again, a sudden bright reflection temporarily blinding me. Blinking, when I was able to focus again, I realized what I’d seen.

A weapon.

The sun had reflected off a gun.

Now I backed away from the window, my mind racing. I had seconds before the house was breached.

“Come on, Tank. We need to get the hell out of here.” Still taking careful movements, I headed to the back door, shifting the blinds and peering outside. What were the odds the assailants were only coming from the front? At this point, I wasn’tcertain what it mattered. Kage wasn’t here. There was no way I could protect myself. I had a single option that didn’t involve pretending I could shoot a gun.

Try to find help.

I unlocked the back door, cracking it open as quietly as possible.

“Stay quiet,” I told Tank, looking down at him as my heart hammered in my chest.

Just peering outside gave me heart palpitations, but there was no other choice but to run. As soon as I stepped outside, the gravity of the situation hit me hard. The only sound was a light rustle as wind tickled the trees, yet the oppressive weight from knowing the enemy was close sent a rush of adrenaline into my system.

I took off running toward the trees, Tank following closely behind. I willed his silence, constantly darting looks over my shoulder. The moment I reached the trees, a figure appeared.

“She’s here!”

The shout spurred me on, the ache in my knee forgotten as I sprinted into the woods. Tank’s single bark was a cry for help.

But as I looked back, the horrible sight of a man dressed in black drove me into a state of fear I’d experienced twice before.

He was pointing his weapon at me.

Pop! Pop!

Kage

“Goddamn it!” I snarled and slammed my fist against the steering wheel as I veered around a group of vehicles. “Get the fuck out of my way.”

“We’ll get there,” Jarvis threw out from his seat beside me.

“Not soon enough. How could I be so fucking stupid?” Jarvis couldn’t answer, the ringing sound of my phone interrupting my outburst. There was no need to look at the screen. I knew who was calling.

Too little. Too late.

“You fucked us both,” I hissed.