“He put spyware on your phones during the attack in the alley.” Ricky’s words were clipped, and even though Dawson had asked the question, the ATF agent’s eyes were locked on Peyton. “Cade knew there was a chance you would go back on the deal you made. He wanted insurance.”
Peyton’s heart thundered against her ribcage.
“I got here as fast as I could,” Ricky continued, “but they aren’t far behind. We need to leave now. Where’s the evidence?”
“How many are coming?” Walker snapped, cell phone in hand. He’d been relaying messages to Nathan, who was near the ranch hands’ cabins on the north side of the property.
“Most of the gang. At least twenty men.”
Gunshots erupted as Nathan’s voice spilled from the cell phone speaker.
“We’re under attack.”
TWENTY-THREE
Shouting and more gunshots erupted before the call cut out. Nobody moved in the silence that followed. Then Dawson reached for Peyton and Grace as the faint rumble of motorcycles reached his ears. His phone vibrated on his belt repeatedly with alerts as members of the Iron Serpents breached the security system.
“To the truck! Now!” Walker hustled them out of the foyer, through the kitchen and into the mudroom. He threw open the back door. A vehicle was parked on the side of the house, out of view. Their primary escape plan. But the approaching motorcycles roared louder, and in the next second, Walker slammed the door shut. “Get down!”
Dawson dragged Peyton and Grace to the floor as an array of bullets slammed into the house. Windows shattered, spraying glass all over the floor. Ricky belly-crawled in their direction as Walker, using the window ledge for cover, shot back. Grace, startled awake by the burst of noise, began screaming. Her panicked cries ripped through Dawson, and all he wanted to do was comfort her, but there was no time for that.
“Bedroom,” he ordered, practically shouting to be heard over the sound of gunfire.
Peyton was already moving in that direction, keeping as low as possible while hurrying through the kitchen. Dawson followed, with Ricky bringing up the rear. The noise from the motorcycles and the gunshots faded as they entered his parents’ room. He hurried to the glass window and parted the curtains with a finger, peering out into the night. The attackers hadn’t made it to this side of the house, but they needed to move fast. Walker wouldn’t be able to hold them for long.
“We need to keep moving.” Dawson snagged the lightweight backpack with Grace’s supplies. Peyton had given the baby a pacifier, quieting her screams to muffled sucking. He waved them forward. “Ricky, cover us.”
“What’s the plan?”
“We’re escaping on foot into the woods. From there, we’ll head due east until we reach my neighbor’s property.” It was a plan of last resort. They’d come up with contingency after contingency, but no one could’ve expected the entire biker gang to attack the ranch. It was an act of sheer desperation on Cade’s part.
“I have a car,” Ricky said. “After the alley, I stashed one on the south side of the property in case things went sideways. It's about half a mile through the woods, parked on the access road past the fence line. Closer than your neighbors to the east.”
Peyton shot him a suspicious look. “You planned for this?”
“I plan for everything.” Ricky's jaw tightened. “It's how I've stayed alive undercover for years while infiltrating dangerous groups like the Iron Serpents.”
Reasonable. Dawson had never worked undercover himself, but he had friends who had.
Walker burst into the room. “They’re coming. I’ll cover you.”
Dawson needed no further urging. He opened the sliding glass doors. Cold, damp air hit him as he stepped outside. Lightning lit up the sky, followed by the slow rumble of thunder. He stepped to the side to let Walker position himself in a defensive posture.
Slipping his hand into his pocket, he pulled out the USB drive. He pressed it into Peyton’s palm and whispered, “Take this.” Everyone here would do whatever was necessary to protect her and Grace. Dawson wanted the evidence with them too. That way, if they got separated, or worse, the evidence wouldn’t fall into Cade’s hands.
Their eyes met for a moment in the darkness. He felt her stiffen slightly and knew she’d understood his reasoning. Her lips flattened into a thin line of disapproval, but she didn’t argue. She merely tucked the USB drive into the pocket of her jeans before adjusting the hold on her weapon.
“Go.” Walker waved them forward. “Now.”
Grabbing Peyton’s hand, Dawson stepped out into the yard. Keeping in a low crouch, watching the darkness for signs of movement, he bolted across the grass. Drizzle dampened his hair. He felt, rather than saw, Ricky coming up behind them.
Gunshots rang out. Dawson saw the flash of a muzzle around the side of the house, but the answering sound of Walker’s weapon confirmed he was bringing up the rear. Shouts echoed through the night. More men were coming. A fresh dose of adrenaline coursed through his veins, and he put more urgency into his feet, pulling Peyton along with him. They burst past the treeline into the woods as a spray of bullets erupted. Bark from a nearby tree flew, pelting Dawson in the face. He barely felt the sting.
“This way.” Ricky took the lead, driving them deeper into the woods.
The sky opened up. Dawson lost sight of Walker, but could hear gunfire behind them. The Navy SEAL was doing his best to ward off the enemy for as long as possible, giving them the best opportunity for escape. Gratitude mixed with silent prayers as he begged God to protect Walker. To protect all of them.
Peyton used her jacket, which she’d grabbed after the attack started, to shield Grace from the downpour. It beat against the leaves and the trees, making it difficult to discern whether anyone was approaching. Dawson’s shirt was soon soaked and stuck to his skin. He blinked water out of his eyes. Ricky was a few strides ahead. Peyton just in front of him. She was favoring her right side, and he could tell each step cost her.
