Page 167 of Capturing You

This was crazy. But staying in here wasn’t a better plan. They couldn’t fight enemies who came from both directions. And Leo and his men had no idea they knew he was waiting for them.

Also, if Putnam had gotten the message, she’d have sent police to the house, not the shore.

Maybe they’d survive this.

For all Forbes’s confident talk, he didn’t turn on his phone's flashlight. He kept his voice at a whisper and moved quietly.

The enemy might be coming toward them right now.

The thought spiked her anxiety.

And then, up ahead, came the tiniest glimmer of light.

Forbes peeked around the final corner, then turned and whispered, “It’s clear. We’re going to crawl out, then run to the door. Can you do it on your ankle?”

It would hurt, but there were no choices. “I…I guess I have to.”

“You remember where it is?”

“Yes.”

“Memorize this. One-three-four-six-five-five-pound.”

She pictured the numbers on a keypad. The top corners, then the numbers on the outside edges, then the center number twice. “Got it. But you’ll be there.”

“I need to watch for enemies. You’ll have to get us inside. You remember it?”

She repeated the code. “I can do it.”

He pressed a kiss to her lips, barely a peck. “I know you can.”

She loved his confidence—and wished she shared it.

“Let’s go.” He continued to the mouth of the cave, stopping in the deep shaft just outside the glow of moonlight.

He didn’t move for a long moment, listening.

Leaves rustled nearby. Somebody was right there.

He leaned close and whispered, “Stay here.” Then, he inched upward and, gun aimed, peered out the entrance.

She had no idea what he was seeing.

He climbed up and disappeared.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX

The thug was five feet away, looking toward the cave. It was Bryce, built as solidly as the oaks that towered all around. This was no skinny Niles. Bryce would be a challenge.

His gaze was too high, and he didn’t notice Forbes, who was just enough above the dark bracken-covered ground to survey the surroundings.

Forbes could shoot the guard, but then all his cohorts would come running.

He needed the man to get distracted long enough for Forbes to climb out and attack.

Okay, God. You’ve gotten us this far. A cracking branch would be really helpful about now.

When had Forbes started praying as if God listened?