Laine’s bodyshook from head to toe. Cameron’s evil face found hers. He held Emmy’s dark locks in his fist, and the mouth of his gun was pressed to the back of her head.
All the breath evacuated her lungs. She stretched out her arms, a plea spasming at the back of her throat. She didn’t scream. Didn’t say a word. She stood frozen, staring at Emmy’s wide green eyes filled with horror.
Tears streaked down her daughter’s face, and Laine let out a low cry.
Cameron roughly moved Emmy in front of him, using her as a shield while he got out of the van. “Get back! All of you.”
“Drop your weapon.” Roarke’s voice boomed with authority. His knee grazed her back.
“Cameron, don’t do this.” She forced each word from her mouth with great effort. “You’re not going to hurt Emmy. Weboth know that. Just give her t-to m-me.” She opened her arms wider, begging.
“Mommy,” Emmy sobbed. Her bottom lip trembled, and her shoulders shook. The rain fell around them, but if it weren’t for the sight of Emmy’s hair matted to her head, Laine wouldn’t have been aware of the downpour.
“Now.” Roarke’s deadly tone rattled her spine.
She was acutely aware of Wraith and Viper flanking them. Terrified their unrelenting presence would spook Cameron—or even Emmy.
The hand holding Emmy’s hair fell to her shoulder, and Cameron’s mouth twisted. “You did this, bitch. You tried to take my daughter away. Tried to run from me.”
He laughed. The sound was derisive. “All you had to do was be my wife.”
Laine got to her feet, her limbs shaking. “That’s right. You’re angry with me. Not Emmy. She’s achild, Cameron. Let her go!”
A siren went off in her head, warning her she was an open target.
He moved quickly, swiveling the weapon to point at her chest.
She watched his finger move, saw and felt Emmy’s terror. An ear-piercing scream—Emmy’s—shook the sky.
Crack,crack,crack!
All she felt was sorrow. No pain. Her arms ached for Emmy, to hold her one last time. To fall into Roarke’s embrace.
To tell both of them that she loved them.
Laine collapsed in the mud, but she didn’t lose consciousness. Confusion rippled over her as she watched Emmy run toward her, seemingly in slow motion. Cameron’s body hit the ground. Emmy’s arms circled her neck.
“Baby, ohmigod,” Laine gasped.
She couldn’t wrap her head around what’d happened, but there was no blood on Emmy. No blood on her.
Roarke.
Before she could panic, he folded them into a hug. “Shhh. It’s okay. You’re both okay.”
His large palm moved up and down Emmy’s back, and his warm, firm lips kissed Laine’s head, then Emmy’s.
She squeezed her daughter, nuzzling her hair and breathing in her sweet scent—something she hadn’t believed would ever happen again. Emmy trembled, but Laine was too cold to warm her up.
Her own teeth chattered, either from the rain or shock. A sweater was placed over her shoulders, and a T-shirt was draped over Emmy. Next, a jacket. She frowned and lifted her gaze. Roarke was bare chested, as was Wraith. Viper wore a muscle shirt.
All three of these men had risked their lives for them. Had come for them. Killed for them.
Protected them.
Emotion flooded her eyes. She couldn’t speak. Couldn’t even manage a thank-you. She dropped her head to Emmy’s and held her as if she’d never let go.
Somehow, Roarke carried both of them from the scene. She was cradled in his hold and Emmy was glued to her chest, their arms and legs tangled. Still, he moved up the slant of the ditch without struggle, his boots squelching in the mud.
