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His princess was a weary, scruffy mess, but her tone was imperious. Despite himself, he grinned, reached for her and drew her to him

“That’s that? Like, you’re setting the rules now?”

She put her palms against his chest. “Like, we’re in this together. From now on, it’s a fifty-fifty deal.”

Dec tilted her head up. “A fifty-fifty deal, huh? What makes you think I’ll agree to that?”

“You’ll agree because you’re a sensible man.” Annie rose to him and kissed him. “And you know I’m right. Two of us should make this approach.”

Dec sighed. She was right, but he wasn’t about to risk her life.

“Honey. The thing is, the place looks deserted—but someone might be inside. I don’t want to take any chances.”

“Neither do I.” She stepped back and held out her hand. “Which is why you’re going to give me that Glock.” When he didn’t answer, she shook her head with impatience. “I didn’t shoot myself in the foot with it last night, did I? Stop being so macho-stubborn and give me the gun!”

Macho-stubborn? Him? He wasn’t. But it was true that even as upset as she’d been last night, she’d handled the Glock with the respect the weapon deserved.

Dec sighed, took the gun from its holster and handed it to her.

“Okay,” he said briskly. “Stay behind me. And that’s not up for discussion. Stay behind me, or stay behind.”

Annie nodded. “Aye aye, Lieutenant.”

Dec flashed a quick smile. “I like that attitude, Princess. Hang onto it until later.”

She smiled back at him. Then his expression changed; he shifted his automatic rifle from his shoulder and cradled it in his arms as he crouched and began angling towards the house.

Annie fell in behind him.

> She knew his method of approach was to keep them from being easy targets. And she did know something about guns. Her father had taken her target shooting.

“A woman should be able to do anything a man can do,” he’d said.

She wondered what her father would say if he could see her now. That she was running for her life would surely have broken his heart, but she hoped he would be proud of her for being strong.

What she knew was that her strength came from Declan.

Anything might happen in the next few minutes and though she could feel her heart hammering in her chest, she wasn’t afraid.

Her courage had been slipping away until he’d found her. No. Not her courage, exactly. What she’d been losing had been the will to go on. Declan had changed that. He’d reminded her that there was still a reason to hope.

She would not give that up again.

When they were almost at the house, Declan held up his hand.

“Wait here,” he said softly. “Arguing could cost us our lives. Understood?”

“Understood,” she whispered.

She watched as he crossed the last few feet. There was one window set in the front wall. When he reached it, he straightened up just enough to peer through it. Then he slid around the corner. She knew he was searching for other windows, other doors, and she waited for what seemed forever until the front door opened and revealed Declan, who flashed her a thumb’s up.

“Two doors,” he said as she hurried towards him, “one in front, one in back, and wait until you see the rest. All the comforts of home.”

* * *

He was right.

Compared to the cave, this little house was—it made her smile to think it—a palace.