Leanna held her breath as the gates opened slowly, and the vehicle lumbered through.
They were almost to the circular drive when shouts and gunshots came from behind them. A Jeep sped down the hillside with rifles pointed at them.
“Get down,” Axe shouted. He jumped out and returned fire.
Leanna’s father shot the driver of the Hummer. The guard in the passenger seat raised his gun at Axe’s back. Leanna pushed him, and he missed his shot.
Axe whirled around and shot him, while Ivan grabbed the guard’s rifle.
“Go, go,” Ivan shouted. “I’ll cover you guys.”
Leanna’s father dumped the driver’s body and hopped into the driver’s seat.
“Axe,” Leanna screamed. “Get in.”
“Just go,” Axe grabbed the driver’s rifle and ran up the drive, shooting at the pursuing Jeep.
Gabriel climbed over from the back and shut the door as Leanna’s father floored the accelerator. The Hummer roared down the narrow road, and Leanna lost sight of Axe and Ivan. The gunfire was still going, but how many bullets did they have?
All she could do was pray, holding on to Soledad, as the girl sobbed uncontrollably.
“It’ll be okay. It has to be,” Leanna mumbled. “Your daddy will be fine. Your daddy will come home.”
Leanna stared at the shimmering opal ring, flashing multi-colored and sparkling with Axe’s love. What a brave, heroic, and honorable man.
He had to come home.
He had a daughter to love.
And he had her undying love.
Dear Axe.She kissed the ring and comforted Soledad, rocking her in her arms like a mother would.
