Page 96 of Secrets Along the Shore

Of course, she and Rian hadn’t been all that quiet. She slid her hand to the back of her son’s head and pulled him closer to hide him from whatever might happen. Whatever happened, she had to protect him.

“Idem po tebe.”

The threat made her choke out a sob. She should have asked Tyler to show her how to shoot that rifle. Never had she taken anyone’s life, and she didn’t want to, but for Rian, she’d do anything.

“Našao sam te.”

The bathroom door knob jiggled as the man outside tried to twist it.The door shifted as he yanked on it. It wouldn’t hold for long. He wouldn’t let the little lock stop him. Something thudded against the door.

Rian’s tears dampened the sleeve of her shirt. He shook against her, struggling to contain his sobs of fear.

“Pusti me unutra!” The man slammed into the door.

Light peaked out from the doorframe. He’d broken part of it!

God, please, save us!

Thud!Crack!

The door swung open, and the man took a step into the bathroom. Then he crumbled and landed at Elara’s feet with a thud. Dark spots stained the gray tile floor by his head. Her stomach twisted, and she would have thrown up if she’d already eaten. She jerked toward the door.

The yellow light in the other room revealed the irritation on Tyler’s face as he lowered his pistol and shoved it into his holster. After a brief glance at the man he killed, he entered the bathroom and grabbed her arm. “I told you to get rid of the bag.” He grabbed the backpack from her hand and tossed it to the side. It knocked against the sink cabinet.

Elara nodded once. Unsure what to say. He was right. He’d warned her. But she refused because it held valuables, and more importantly, her Bible. She should have tucked the Bible between her and the bulletproof vest and left the rest. “I’m sorry.” She couldn’t meet his gaze. It’d been stupid. And it almost cost hers and Rian’s lives.

Tyler eyed her for a moment, before nodding. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head. Pain shot through her skull from the injury. She grabbed for the spot.

He caught her hand. “Don’t touch it.”

Right. That’d make it worse. She hadn’t cleaned it or washed her hands lately.

“We need to move.” He stepped out of the bathroom.

She reached for her backpack.

“Leave it,” he snapped.

“Give me a sec.” She spoke firmly. That Bible wasn’t getting left behind. Sure, she could replace it, but hers was special. Mum gave it toher when she turned eight. She yanked the zipper down the side and grabbed the leather-bound Bible. “I’m not leaving this.”

He turned away. “We need to go.”

Tyler grabbedhis vest off a box and lifted it over his head. Once it was situated over his chest and torso, he buckled the side. He shouldn’t have left them. At all. The backpack definitely had a tracker in it. Which was why they needed to leave immediately. He adjusted the earpiece in his ear and ensured that the wire to the radio on his vest wasn’t caught.

“I’m sorry for not getting rid of the backpack sooner,” Elara whispered behind him.

He lifted the rifle sling over his head and adjusted his grip. The knife he’d given her lay on the floor next to the door. He retrieved it and slid it back into his vest. Finally, he faced her. “We’re in a life-or-death situation. Next time, do as I say.” Her stubbornness could have killed them. Granted, he should have fought her harder on the matter, but he’d chosen to let it go. That mistake he wasn’t going to make again. If his instincts told him to do something, he’d do it.

Elara nodded. “I will.”

Tyler held her gaze for a second longer. “Good.” He moved over to the door and flicked it open. With the rifle pressed against his shoulder, he eased outside. After clearing both sides of the alley at the doorway, he signaled for Elara and Rian to follow him. “Stay close,” he called over his shoulder.

As he led the way out of the dark alley, he stepped over the six bodies of the Rukas he’d killed when he returned. At the curb on the other side of the road, a black car remained where they’d kindly left it for Tyler. Elara gasped behind him as she spotted the dead men. Even though she’d already seen him kill, she still seemed surprised. Or maybe upset.

Before crossing the road to the car, he scanned their surroundings. No doubt more men would show up. The backpack still sat in the bathroom so they’d show up here. But Tyler would make sure he and histargets were long gone first. He opened the car door for Elara and Rian. The bag of stuff he’d bought sat on the sidewalk where he’d ditched it upon seeing the Rukas. Stepping away from the vehicle, he retrieved the bag and tossed it into the back seat, then stood guard. One hand on the door, he aimed his rifle down the road in the direction that the first batch of men had come.

Elara whispered to Rian before helping him into the backseat then slid in beside him. Once they were settled, Tyler shut the door and climbed in the front. He set his rifle in the passenger seat and started the engine.