This wasn’t quite the sequence Craig had planned, but it had the desired effect. People were creating chaos as they tried to get away before they got burned.
Over here. I’m over here,Craig shouted in his mind. There was as much smoke as sparks now, and it was hard to see. But he also knew that he could bring Stephanie toward him by using their mind-to-mind contact.
He drew his gun, hoping he didn’t have to start shooting, because innocent bystanders would get hurt.
To his relief, Stephanie came stumbling out of the smoke, and she was also holding a pistol.
Where did you get that?
I asked one of the guards, and he gave it to me—to protect myself.
Stupid of him, given the circumstances. But then Reynard still thinks I’m dead.
As he spoke, he was leading her around the pool toward the side of the house where he’d left the van.
He ached to hold her close, but there was no time for that.
This way.
He directed her toward the waiting delivery van, praying that they could get out before Reynard realized where they’d gone.
Stephanie jumped into the passenger seat, and he saw her clawing at the white dress. She tore a rip down the front and wiggled out, throwing the dress into the back of the van. Underneath she was wearing a pair of shorts and a halter top.
He had started the engine and was heading for the gate, when a group of men came running out of the bayou, shooting at the van.
Lord, who were they? Not Reynard’s security men. With all attention on the wedding, they had cut the fence to get into the compound.
Stephanie gasped.
I see one of the men who kidnapped us,Stephanie shouted in his mind.They’re here, and there are more guys with them.
He tried to cope with that, tried to reason how they had gotten here. They must still be after Stephanie, and they must have seen him lead her toward the escape vehicle.
The invasion force ran toward the flower truck shooting, and behind the vehicle, Reynard’s men were also charging forward and also shooting. Reynard was with them, firing along with the rest.
“Duck down,” Craig shouted as he plowed forward, turning left and driving in a zigzag pattern, hoping he could keep himself and Stephanie alive long enough to escape.
Intruder alert. Intruder alert,Stephanie shouted beside him.Shoot at the invaders. Shoot at the invaders, not the van.
He took up the chant, adding his voice to hers. Some of Reynard’s men got the message and began firing at the men who had poured onto the property. The newcomers returned fire. But others kept aiming at the fleeing vehicle.
And then another voice, louder and stronger added force to the order.
Shoot at each other, not the van.
Who’s that?Stephanie asked.
Maybe that woman Rachel who made it possible for us to talk last night.
Maybe.
For a heart-stopping moment, nothing seemed to change. Then Reynard’s men began blasting in earnest at the newcomers, and the invaders blasted back.
Craig looked behind them and saw Reynard still coming, determined not to let his bride escape.
He knew Stephanie caught the thought because she gasped as she followed his line of sight.
Craig kept aiming for the gate. And for long moments he thought they would get away. Then, to his horror, the van began to sputter, and he knew the engine had been hit. Finally it coughed and stopped.
