Chapter 52

CHAPTER

FIFTY-TWO

Kai and Gage carefully approached the house.

As they got closer, they peered in the windows.

But they saw no one.

Still, they needed to remain on guard.

He nodded toward Gage, and Gage opened the front door.

He slipped inside, Kai following behind. They stayed near the walls as they walked through the cabin, looking for any signs of anything that was amiss.

But other than Tori, Larchmont, Trevor, and Stephen being gone, everything appeared to be in place.

Had something happened to Stephen? Had they rushed him to the hospital?

It could be a possibility.

Still, they crept past the living room and kitchen area.

Then they reached the hall leading to the bedrooms.

When he opened the first door, a shadowy figure appeared.

Kai swung his gun toward the man.

"Whoa." The man raised his hands. "It's just me. Stephen."

Kai let out his breath and lowered his weapon as Stephen came into focus. He was still pale, and his actions were weak, but at least he was walking around now. That was a big step.

"Where's everybody else?" he asked, shoving his gun into his waistband.

"Looking for you."

"Why did they go out looking for us?" Gage asked.

"Because your phones weren't working so they couldn't call and warn you."

"Warn us about what?" Kai wasn't sure what he was talking about.

"About Alfie?—"

But before he could finish his statement, glass broke.

A loud bang filled the air, followed by smoke and bright flashes.

Kai coughed, his ears ringing.

A flashbang. Someone had thrown a flashbang inside to disorient them.

Kai squinted and raised his gun.

Someone was inside. Someone uninvited.

Someone who'd been waiting for the opportunity to ambush them.

He and Gage ducked into two bedrooms across the hall from each other and peered around the doorframes so they could have cover.

They watched as six men filtered into the house.

One of them came into view.

Kai sucked in a breath.

It was Alfie.

As far as Tori was concerned, she, Larchmont, and Trevor couldn't get back to the cabin fast enough. She had no idea what was going on there, but her gut told her it wasn't anything good.

She continued to pray, all while keeping her eyes open in case danger was close.

Near the cabin, something in the woods caught her eye.

She grabbed Larchmont's arm and pointed. "It's a car. Hidden in the brush."

Larchmont hit the brakes. "We're too late."

"Never say that," Tori said. "We don't know what's happening yet. We could still help."

"You're right," Larchmont said. "We can. We're just going to have to play it smart here, okay?"

She and Trevor nodded their agreement.

Larchmont pulled to the side of the road also and drew his gun. "Trevor, come with me. Tori, you wait here."

"What if they need me?" Tori touched the defibrillator in the seat beside her.

His gaze softened. Then he reached into his coat pocket and pressed something into her hand.

She stared at the cold, hard object in her grip.

A gun.

"Have you ever shot before?" Larchmont asked.

She nodded, suddenly feeling shaky. "I have."

"Then you know what to do?"

She nodded again, swallowing hard to push down her fear. "I do."

She didn't conceal carry, but as a single woman, she liked to stay up to date with her shooting skills . . . just in case.

"Now I have a gun, but what are we doing?"

"We need to get closer to see what's going on," Larchmont said. "But you let Trevor and I take the lead. Your main goal will be if anything happens you'll need to offer the medical help we need. Got it?"

She was comfortable with that agreement. "Got it."

They climbed out of the car and approached the cabin.

Tori continued to pray for safety . . . even as her life flashed before her eyes.