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“The wolf is a symbol of our duality. It shows our strength, independence, but also our need for a pack.” — unknown

Axel

Once I shut down my emotions, my mind clears. Nothing matters except the lives of the people I care for. No one dies. There is no other option. Unimpeded by fear, my thoughts race. Time slows until it almost stands still.

Gwen swivels to face Lewis then spits in his face. “Hurt them, and you will never find the dot.”

Although I admire her spirit, it could hasten the cult leader’s descent into madness.

Eyes wild, he wipes a sleeve across his cheek and screams, “You fucking cunt. This is all your fault. Where is it?”

My brave yet foolhardy woman stares him down. “I honestly can’t tell you because it may have moved. I can bring you to the spot where I saw it last.”

In the background, Lilac moans from where she lies on the gravel. “Slate, the baby is coming.”

The guards ignored, the women kneel beside Lilac and remind her how to breathe. Killing a mother about to give birth would be difficult for the most seasoned assassins. I only hope those instructed to mow us down have a sense of honor.

Their unsympathetic faces tell me they won’t hesitate to murder the men, but hopefully, our ladies will be off-limits. Thanks to my spouse’s quick thinking, the armed dudes divide. Six trot down the hill with her and Lewis. That leaves just four left with us.

Once their leader's group has departed, an acne-scarred guy in his forties points his barrel at my head. “On your knees.”

As I inch down, I hold my thumb on the lipstick gun, my palm open toward the others. When Slate nods, I roll onto my back while firing at my would-be killer.

Jaw slack, the survivalist drops his weapon and clutches his chest. As he falls motionless on his ass, Suds dives on one soldier. Slate takes out the other. While the two trained SEALs fight, the ladies kick butt until the third rolls his eyes, unconscious in the dirt.

Wasting no time, we bind the bloodied men using the plastic zip-ties on their belts. After, we search them for weapons.

An explosion near the gate makes me jump, then I smile.

Lewis lied. Lucky, Hands, Wheels, and Jack have created the diversion we need to get everyone out safely. Thank God, Gwen’s gone off to the right, away from the worst of the action.

Grinning, Suds snatches the rifles, then passes one to his partner. “That’s our cue to get the hell outta here. Take the lead, babe. I got our six.”

“Copy that.” Sam races toward the opening we made in the fence hours ago.

Picking up Lilac, Slate follows on her heels. Because most of the perimeter guards have joined the fight by the entrance, we meet little resistance.

We’re almost free when Mia, the younger of the PI’s two cousins, picks up a rifle. She checks for ammo before shooting at those racing up the hill. “Fuck you, you bastards.”

As they scatter, the rest climb through the hole to the relative safety of the forest.

“Go, Mia. I got this.” I tap her shoulder.

Once she departs, I race to the far side of the compound before descending. The moment I get my woman back home, I'm going to put tracers on each item of clothing, her car, her computer, and her cell phone. I will know where she is every damn minute of every day. I will bug her conversations. I will do whatever it takes to keep her out of trouble.

I won’t care how crazy people think I am because if I live through this moment and if they ask, I will tell them exactly how she drove me to this level of fucking insanity.

I’m coming, Gwen.