“You flew four hours to console your new girlfriend?”
“I did.”
I gesture toward the window. Since I’ve been working with her for over six years now, I can read Brenda without even being in the same room as her. And the tone of her voice screams disbelief. She smells something else going on, and we need to make our move before she makes hers.
Quietly, we slip from the spare bedroom and out onto the back porch. One by one, we move around the house. I peer out over the small fence toward the front of the house. Two armed security guards are keeping watch.
If Brenda hears us coming, she’ll likely engage to save herself.
But how are we supposed to distract them without being caught?
Even as I think it, Bradyn’s rental truck pulls up.
Thank You, Lord.
He climbs out, Bravo off his leash at his side. The dog’s ears are pointed straight up, his focus intently on the men standing at the front door.
“Who are you?” One of the guards asks.
I prepare to make my move as soon as they’re fully distracted.
“A friend of the family. Who are you?”
“Same,” the guard replies. “I’m afraid you can’t go inside.”
“And I’m afraid you can’t stop me,” he replies. “Fahs, Bravo.”
I don’t even have to speak German to know what he just commanded his dog to do because the animal goes into attack mode. I lunge forward, weapon drawn, but by the time I’m up on the porch, both men are on the ground. Ryker quickly zip ties the hands of the man Bravo has a hold of, while Sawyer does the same with the other man, who is currently unconscious, thanks to Bradyn.
“Perfect timing,” I tell him.
“God’s timing always is. I had a feeling you may need me, and I was on my way when the text came through.” Weapon in hand, he remains near the door. “I’m betting she heard that.”
“Let’s hope we can?—”
Anastasia’s piercing scream has Sawyer kicking the door in without so much as a heartbeat of hesitation. We move in behind him. Jack has his weapon drawn and trained on Brenda, who somehow managed to get a hold of my little sister.
The blood pounds in my ears when I see the gun pressed to her temple.
Brenda’s eyes, wide and wild, are staring straight at me. “I knew you were alive.”
“You’re outnumbered, Brenda. Drop it,” I growl.
“Nah, I’m going to walk out of here, and you’re not going to stop me. We both know you won’t risk your sister. Or will you put a bullet in her like you did that teenage girl six months ago?”
I swallow hard.
“What’s the move, Cap?” Sawyer demands, his tone urgent.
Brenda ducks down behind Anastasia, keeping herself completely shielded.
“It’s okay, Zane,” Anastasia says. Her eyes are shimmering with tears, but she doesn’t look afraid. More determined. Her eyes quickly glance down then back up at me, signaling that she’s about to make a move.
I offer one single nod to let her know I’m ready.
Anastasia drives her elbow backward. The hit jolts Brenda just enough that the gun drops slightly. It goes off, and Anastasia screams. My heart races as I sprint forward, tackling Brenda to the ground. She thrashes, but I throw the gun to the side and flip her over onto her stomach.
Ryker is right there with a zip tie, securing her hands.
