Page 92 of Mountain Refuge

She nodded. “Can I at least shoot him?” She quirked her mouth.

“In the back?” He arched a brow, eyes twinkling.

“There you go, being all nice again.” She lowered her weapon.

“I’ll let Tracy know she can come out.” He left her staring after the retreating Mason.

“You’re okay.” A few minutes later, Tracy threw herself into Taya’s arms. “I thought I’d come out, and you’d be dead.”

“I don’t kill that easily.” She wrapped her niece in a hug. “Thank you for doing as we asked.”

“Seeing that man made me go. It brought back all the fear of being held captive.” She buried her face in Taya’s shoulders, her body trembling.

Taya propped her weapon against the wall. “Come on. Let’s sit on the sofa and wait for the FBI agents.”

~

Mason hadn’t seen the girl, but he knew she was there. Taya wouldn’t let her be far. From the shadows, he watched the cabin.

He’d almost expected a bullet in the back as he’d marched away, but he should’ve known Taya wouldn’t have the guts to shoot a friend—former friend or not.

The house didn’t seem to have any alarms once he moved past the trip wires. At least none that he could see. A poisoned slab of meat could easily take care of the dogs. Getting inside shouldn’t be too difficult—not for a man of his cunning, anyway.

Staying well out of reach of Taya’s gun, he moved through the trees looking for points of weakness. Soon, he’d bring a group of men and storm the cabin. The man living there was expendable. He only wanted the woman and the girl, and he would have them one way or the other.

No one got away from him. No one.

~

Sheriff Westbrook and the two FBI agents arrived within twenty minutes. “We’d like you three to stay inside while we check the perimeter.”

Taya shook her head and stood. “I’m going with you.”

“Taya.” Ryan took a step toward her.

“This is what I do. Watch Tracy for me. Please.” Without waiting for confirmation, she headed to her room and donned her Kevlar vest. It wouldn’t stop a shot to the head, but it was better than no protection at all. She didn’t trust Mason not to take a shot at her.

A terrified Tracy still sat on the couch. The beseeching look on her face almost made Taya change her mind. No, she couldn’t. Finding Mason and stopping him was the only way to keep her niece and many other girls safe.

She gave Tracy a hug and promised to return. Before leaving she cupped Ryan’s face. “Trust me.”

“I do.”

“I’ll be back in a few.” She nodded to the agents and squared her shoulders. “I’m ready. My rifle is by the back door.”

“Then, we’ll go out that way,” Larson said. The others followed him outside.

As they trooped across the lawn, Taya glanced back. Ryan stood framed by the window and raised his hand in a wave before turning away. They’d be fine. If anyone could protect Tracy instead of Taya, it was Ryan. The man didn’t have battle experience, but he had a good head on his shoulders.

“Where did you see the man?” Snowe faced her.

“There. By the big oak. After he tripped the wire, he strode toward the house as if he planned on staying for supper.” Taya glanced at the ground around the trip wire. “It’s almost as if he knew the wire was here and didn’t care.” Which almost made her wish Ryan had dug a pit with spikes as Tracy suggested.

“A simple act of intimidation.” Snowe stepped over the wire. “It looks like he went this way. Did it appear as if he were alone?”

“Yes. At least, I didn’t see anyone else.”

The agent nodded. “He’s scouting, and he’ll be back with reinforcements.”