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One

Quinn

T he front door swung open, the rain spraying in from the wind that whipped past. I turned my head, knowing that Roman was back from messing with the generator but felt my body stiffen when I saw five figures dressed in all black, wearing ski masks, rush through the door.

I jumped off the couch, startling Rosie as I tried to shield her with my body.

I reached behind for my gun, panic crushing over me when I remembered it wasn’t there.

It was unlike me not to have it on my body, but I had been distracted after I got out of the shower right before Roman went outside to prepare for the storm that was already upon us.

“NO!!” I shouted, shoving against the bodies as they charged us.

I felt strong arms grab me and fling me to the side as Rosie screamed from the couch.

I got up and swung at the masked figure in front of me, watching as their head shot to the side from the impact of my punch, but it wasn’t enough.

Someone held me by the waist, ensuring that I couldn’t get to Rosie.

Panic flooded through me as I tried to get free. It was useless, and I knew it. We were outnumbered and I was unarmed—biggest fucking mistake of my life.

I could hear Rosie scream and turned my head toward the sound right as someone picked her up and tossed her over their shoulder.

A black pillowcase was shoved over her head as they rushed out the door.

I continued to fight against the strong arms holding me in place, desperate to get to my daughter.

My pulse raced and my breathing was erratic as adrenaline pumped through me.

I tried to turn to see where they had gone, the front door still wide open. There was a black van parked right outside, and I immediately recognized it. Seconds later, the back door was slammed shut before it sped off, the sound of gravel crunching beneath it.

I tossed my head back, feeling the sharp pain as I made contact with a head, eliciting a loud growl from the recipient.

It wasn’t enough to knock him out, but it did piss him off to where he tightened his grip around my throat, making it harder to breathe.

I brought my hands up and tried to pry his hands away, desperate for air.

Roman will be back any second. He’ll come save me. He’ll take me to get Rosie back. Then we’ll kick ass and take out everyone who’s ever tried to hurt my daughter. She’s only five years old...

But before Roman could get there, a hand reached up and covered my mouth with a towel. Everything turned black, and the voices around me faded.