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He put his lips to Annie’s ear and whispered her name. Her eyes flew open and met his.

“Honey. We may have visitors.”

She opened her mouth to speak. He shook his head and put his finger against her lips.

“No talking. Just get your clothes on, fast. You got that?”

Her nod was frantic.

“That’s my girl,” he whispered.

He gave her a quick kiss. Her lips clung to his and it took everything in him to push her gently away.

They dressed quickly. He opened the snap on the sheath that held his knife, took the safety off his rifle.

The horse snorted again.

Dec moved quietly forward.

His pulse quickened. Was that the wind? Or was it…

Voices.

Definitely voices.

Two men exchanging guttural whispers in a language he’d heard before. He understood only a few words, but it was enough. They were scouts, working miles ahead of their party.

He could smell them—the stink of rancid grease and cheap booze drifted to him on the night air. They were still maybe twenty-five, thirty feet away.

He and Annie had been found and it was his fault. He had forgotten to be cautious and now her life was at risk.

Annie crowded against him.

“Two men,” she whispered. “One says he’ll kill you while the other—”

Dec held up his hand to silence her. Then he clasped her wrist and drew her away from the entrance.

“Just two,” he said. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

“Tell me what to do.”

“Move as far back into the cave as possible.”

“I don’t want you to face them alone. Tell me how I can help.”

“You can help by doing what I told you to do.”

“Give me a weapon. A knife. A gun. I know how to shoot, Declan. My father taught me.”

“Annie, goddammit, we’re wasting time.”

“I told you, I know how to shoot!”

What had he told himself just a little while ago? She wasn’t a liar. Dec nodded, unholstered his Glock and gave it to her. “Hold it with two hands. Then just point and pull the trigger. Pull hard. You got that?”

“I’ve got it.”

“We’re going to be fine, honey.” Nothing like sounding convinced even if you weren’t. “Just stay put until I tell you it’s safe. Okay?”