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“Then I’m going down. I should have taken responsibility for my wrongs a long time ago. Now drop your gun. Now!”

“If you’re sure that’s what you want.” Thomas started to lower his weapon. Then everything happened at once.

Bernie’s hand shot out. Before Allye could move or even blink, he’d yanked her up in front of him and snaked his arm around her neck in one fluid motion.

She caught her breath as the barrel of Wesley’s gun swung their direction.

A shot rang out.

Wesley went to his knees. Allye couldn’t hold back her scream. Black specks intruded on her vision as dizziness kicked in, butnot before she saw the blood beginning to spread across his shirt. Another shot, and Wesley crumpled.

A scuffle sounded behind her, and Bernie whipped them both around. Nausea joined the dizziness. Her vision darkened.No!She had to stay conscious and alert. She gripped the arm around her neck and blinked hard, fighting the urge to vomit.

Eric was on top of Lenny. He must have charged when the gunshots went off. But with his hands still bound behind him, he was no match for the other man.

Lenny slammed a fist against the side of Eric’s head and shimmied out from under him. He stood, whipping out his gun. “Try that again, and I’ll—”

The window near the door shattered. Bernie released Allye and shoved her away from him. She landed half on top of Eric.

“Watch them.” Bernie raced to the window.

She shifted so she was beside Eric instead of practically in his lap. “What was that?” she whispered.

“Rock.” He inclined his head toward a fist-size stone lying among the glass shards.

Thomas edged along the wall until he was standing next to his brother. “Who’s out there?” he demanded.

“I don’t see anyone,” Bernie said.

The reporter cursed. “Well, get out there and look. That rock didn’t throw itself. Lenny, you too. I’ll watch them.” He leveled his gun at Allye and Eric.

Bernie scowled but headed for the door, Lenny at his heels.

As the two men exited, Thomas moved closer to the window, angling his body to allow him to monitor the situation outside while keeping an eye on his hostages.

Allye exchanged a look with Eric. She was painfully aware that any attempt to escape could turn out very badly. The reporter had proven he had no issue with pulling the trigger. But this might be their last opportunity. She saw her own thoughts reflected in Eric’s gaze.

He mouthed something. She couldn’t make it out, but he glanced toward his side and mouthed the last word again.Pocket.

A quick glance confirmed Thomas was paying more attention to whatever was going on outside than to them. Feeling like every cell in her body was vibrating, she slipped her hand into the pocket Eric had indicated. Her fingers brushed a pocketknife. Quickly, she drew it out and hid it under a fold of her skirt. She thumbed it open. The blade locked into place with a soft click.

Her gaze shot to Thomas, but the man didn’t seem to have heard.It’s okay. Deep breath.Repeating the words silently to herself, she began inching backward until she could reach Eric’s bound hands. He leaned forward slightly, and she tried to insert the tip of the blade between his wrists and the zip tie.

“Over there—he’s behind the shed!”

Allye startled at Thomas’s shout. Eric winced. She’d nicked him. Though he couldn’t see her face, she still mouthed,Sorry. Willing her hands to stop trembling, she tried again.

The tie snapped just as a gunshot sounded. She almost dropped the knife but somehow managed to keep hold of it. Eric flexed his hands, then took it from her.

“You get him?” the reporter called to the men outside.

Bernie’s curse floated through the broken window. “Yeah. It was that stupid kid.”

“Dion,” Eric breathed.

A sob rose in her throat. What was he even doing here?

“Make sure he’s dead and get back in—” Sirens cut off Thomas’s words. Gravel crunched as vehicles hit the driveway.