Shit.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the kitchen, checking behind her. Salvatore met his gaze.
Did he recognise Tess? “What’s going on, Ed?” Brandon demanded.
“I’m almost certain that’s Salvatore, the guy who threatened us.”
“What?” Tess spun around. “Where?”
He dragged her out of the line of sight, but Salvatore was already striding towards them.
Brandon swore. “Laundry. Now. Faith, get the others.”
Faith ran out the back door as Ed backed Tess into the laundry. He pushed her inside as Salvatore entered the room.
Ed shut the laundry door, standing in front of it, his nerves trembling. Brandon stood by the table.
“Is something wrong?” Amy asked, pushing past Salvatore and standing next to Brandon.
“Who’s the girl?” Salvatore demanded.
“What girl?” Ed asked, his heart pounding. The man couldn’t have known Tess was here, otherwise he wouldn’t have been so brazen about asking for a site. Ed didn’t think Salvatore had got a good look at him in the darkness, but Tess had said his name then, and again just now.
“The girl you just shoved into that room.”
“That’s none of your concern,” Brandon said, his voice cold. He shifted so he stood in front of Amy.
Amy glanced at Ed, her eyes wide. They had to get her out of harm’s way.
“Faith!” Lara called. “I need some help.”
Shit. Salvatore stood between them and Lara. Salvatore glanced behind and smiled.
No fucking way would Salvatore hurt his niece. “Lara, hide!”
Salvatore turned back towards the corridor, and Ed and Brandon both sprang into action at the same time, but Brandon was closer.
He slammed into the man, taking them both to the ground. Amy grabbed the phone and slipped past them, running to find Lara.
Brandon had already subdued the big man and Ed found some rope in the kitchen drawer to tie him up.
Footsteps pounded up the steps and Sam burst through the door first, followed by the other military men.
“What’s going on?” Sam demanded.
“He attacked me,” Salvatore yelled. “Help.”
Sam ignored him as Brandon said, “Check for a wallet.”
The two of them wrestled Salvatore and retrieved his wallet from his back pocket and then tied him up.
Ed took a photo of his face as Sam checked his driver’s licence. “Salvatore. I hear the police are after you.”
Amy returned. “Dot’s busy, so Nhiari and Colin are on the way.”
Ed moved to the laundry and slipped inside. Tess stood at the far end, her hand clenched around a broom.
“Was it him?” she asked, voice shaky.
