Pixie scoffed. “Every code and password that old woman ever had was the same. Always the birthday of her late husband. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that I get this money, getthe hell out of here, and make sure no one knows what you saw tonight.”
A chill swept over Tilly’s skin, her gaze darting to the barrel of the gun before rising to Pixie once more. “What are you going to do? Shoot me?”
“Why not? Can you imagine the story of Martin Taylor and his daughter robbing the local visitors center? Only, Martin got greedy yet again. Killed his daughter to keep it all for himself and ran.”
Tilly swallowed the lump of fear in her throat. “Pixie, don’t do this.”
“It’s already done.”
In one life-altering moment, a large body dropped Tilly to the ground as the gun went off. Tilly screamed and looked up as her father pushed to his feet and lunged toward Pixie.
Jesus. Where had he come from?
“Run, Tilly!”
It took a fraction of a second for her father’s shouted words to compute in her head. Then another to force herself to her feet just as the gun fired again, this time getting her father in the gut. Tilly gasped, bile rising in her throat as she stumbled back a step.
“Dad!” She wanted to run to her father and see if he was okay so she could do what she could to help.
Pixie also stumbled back, like she couldn’t believe what she’d done. Then she turned hate-filled eyes on Tilly.
That’s when Tilly ran.
“You know,you don’t have to watch this with me, Uncle Kay.”
Kayden’s lips twitched as he shifted his gaze from the TV to Avery. “I love watching animated shows with talking dogs.”
Avery lifted a brow at him, and damn, she looked ten years older than her eight years.
“Okay, I don’t,” he admitted. “What I love is spending time with my niece.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side. Eastern would be home soon, and as much as he adored his niece, it couldn’t be soon enough. All he wanted to do was see Tilly. Touch her. Hear her voice.
He glanced at the setting sun outside. If her earlier texts were anything to go by, she should be home by now. He didn’t like that she’d left so late, not with everything going on right now, but the only way he was okay with it was that Jake was there and under strict instructions to remain close to the center. He should text her and check that she’d gotten home safely.
His phone was on the charger in the kitchen.
He was about to go grab it when the door opened and Eastern walked in. Avery squealed before jumping to her feet and propelling her small body into his arms.
Eastern lifted her. “Hey, Princess, have you had a good afternoon with Uncle Kay?”
“Yep, he made me spaghetti for dinner and watched my shows with me.”
Eastern’s brows rose. “Really? My big brother cooking a meal and watching kids’ shows?”
Kayden lifted a shoulder as he rose from the couch. “I’m the favorite for a reason.”
Eastern laughed as he set his daughter on her feet. “Ave, I’m just gonna talk to Uncle Kay in the kitchen for a sec. Won’t be long.”
“Okay.” She ran back to the couch.
Kayden frowned as they moved out of the living room. The living and kitchen were open plan, but with lowered voices, hewas sure Avery wouldn’t hear, not with her cartoon taking up her attention.
“Everything okay?” Kayden asked in a hushed voice.
“Just when I thought one fire was put out, another pops up.”
Kayden braced his hands on the kitchen island. “What happened?”
