I don't look at him.
I keep my eyes on Flint.
Defiant. Refusing to show fear even though my heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat.
Flint stands abruptly, kicks the cage.
The metal rattles, and I flinch despite myself.
"You think you're tough?" he snarls. "You think that attitude is going to save you? It's not. Your husband isn't coming. Your father isn't coming. No one's coming. You're mine now."
Then I hear it.
Faint. So faint I almost miss it.
A sound outside. Movement. Voices?
Flint doesn't notice. He's too focused on me, on his anger, on proving his point.
But I hear it.
My heart starts racing for a different reason now.
They're here.
Shadow's here.
I know it. Feel it in my bones. In the connection between us that goes deeper than tattoos or vows.
He came for me.
I just need to hold on a little longer.
Everything happens at once.
The barn door explodes inward with a sound like thunder—wood splintering, hinges tearing free, dust and debris flying.
Shadow bursts through, and he looks like death itself.
Gun raised. Face absolutely murderous. Eyes locked on me in the cage, then shifting to Flint with such hatred that even I feel the chill.
"Get away from my fucking wife!"
Dad's right behind him, Thunder and Banshee flanking.
More brothers pouring in—Reapers Rejects cuts, Shotgun Saints cuts, and others I don't recognize.
Chaos erupts.
Rattler reaches for his gun.
He doesn't even clear his holster before Shadow fires.
The gunshot is deafening in the enclosed space.
Rattler drops, red blooming across his chest.
Snake tries to run, scrambling off the hay bale.
