Page 105 of The Bonds We Break

Until I hear a noise. It’s strange to me. Not a vehicle. Not the floorboards and the old water pipes. I step to the window and peel back the curtains a touch so I can see the driveway. There’s nothing untoward, but the hairs on the back of my neck prick up anyway.

I’m naked, but I creep to the rear of the house, to the guest room I also use as an office. I stay in the shadows of the room, which doesn’t have curtains. On the notice board is my list I’m working through. Of forgiving the people who betrayed me so I can get the fuck on with my life. I glance towards the trees and try to focus into the darkness. And then I see it. Someone on their knees by the tree line, waving some more people forward. Two other fuckers.

I run into the bedroom and shake Rae awake. “Babe, we’ve got trouble.”

She sits up fast. “What?”

I toss the jeans and sweater she wore yesterday at her. “Call your brother. Tell him I saw three men around the back of the house.”

I send a group message. It’s simple, and there’s a better chance of someone seeing it.

@Everyone 911 My house. 3 spotted so far.

The clubhouse is fifteen minutes away. Whatever this is, however many there are of them, we’ve got to hold them off until then.

I pull on jeans at record speed. I might meet my maker tonight, but not while I’m naked and not without a fight. Meanwhile, I dial Spark.

“What d’you need, Prez?” he says, his tone full of laughter. “You got lost on the way home?”

“I’ve got men around the back of the house giving military hand signals. At least three.”

“On our way. Stay inside.”

He disconnects the phone, and I trust my sergeant at arms will have my back.

I hear Rae give the same information to Ryker in slightly more panicked tones. In the wardrobe is a collection of weapons. I give two handguns to Rae. I prep them. “All you have to do is pull the trigger, so point them at the ground unless you need to use them. Go lock yourself in the bathroom.”

“I’ll stay with you. Two of us are better against them than just you.”

“Rae, the fucking bathroom.”

Fear is etched across her face, but she stands her ground. “Two of us. Together. And put some shoes on in case glass gets broken.”

“We don’t have time to fight about this.”

“So don’t fight me.”

“Fuck.” I pull on my boots and grab a rifle. I’m no sniper, but I’m a half-decent shot. We both head to my office in the hope we can stop them from entering the house. But as soon as I near the rear window, I hear glass shatter.

“They’re already inside,” Rae whispers.

I place my finger over my lips and push Rae down so she can climb beneath the desk in the office. I check my phone. Two minutes since I called Spark. I’m praying they just pile on their bikes and get over here. DUIs are the least of my problems right now.

Rae is sitting beneath the desk, but her gun is aimed straight at the door. So is mine. I’m now wishing I’d picked up the semi-automatic.

Her hands are shaking, and I place my own hand on top of hers for a fraction of a second. “It’ll be okay,” I whisper.

But I don’t know how we’re going to survive this one. The sound of a chair scraping tells me they are by the dining table.

I meet Rae’s gaze. There’s fear in her eyes but also a steely determination. I thought I’d be the one protecting her. But maybe there was always meant to be a woman by my side, one who was my equal in all things, when I meet my end.

As I train my eyes on the door, a bullet shatters the window behind me, and I’m thrown forward as it slices through my body.

It happens so quickly, I barely have time to process that they have a sniper outside. The gun slips out of my hands as I drop to my knees. I place my hand to my shoulder, which is already a hot, slippery mess.

“Rae,” I say, but no words come out.

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