Shelby snapped her mouth shut, straining to hear. Ava rose, the blanket around her shoulders dropping to the floor. The storm had died down while Shelby slept, because she had no trouble hearing voices now. Someone jiggled the door, and Ava backed away from it, pulling out a revolver Shelby hadn’t noticed before. She reached over and clasped Wade’s hand.
“This must be that place Ava mentioned,” Shang Junior said.
Ava cursed softly.
“Well, do you think they’re in there?” Definitely Philip, and he sounded angry.
“They must be. She didn’t lead them to the Cave,” Shang Junior said.
“Break down the door,” his father commanded.
Ava had already pulled out the sat phone. “They’ve found us,” she said softly into it. “I’m putting this on speaker so be sure to record it.” After setting it on a crate, she said, “You two, cover your heads with the blankets.”
Something big and heavy hit the door with a thud, and they all jumped. Ava picked up her revolver again. Did she think to put herself between them and Shang’s men?
“What are you doing, Ava?” Shelby struggled to stand.
Another blow hit so hard the crates shook.
“Do you really think they’re going to let any of us live?” Ava asked, glancing back at them over her shoulder.
“Doyoureally think they’re not going to find us hiding under the blankets?” Wade asked.
“At least get out of the line of fire.” She faced the door again.
The next heavy thud made a terrible creaking, as though the strike had hit some living creature that groaned with pain.
Shelby found her feet and positioned herself in front of her father. No more hiding. Wade stood beside her and took her hand. She relaxed her knees, her body ready to move like she’d been taught in tennis.
“Shel?” Wade whispered.
“Yeah?”
“If we live through this, will you marry me?”
Shelby blinked and looked up at him. “Even with all this baggage I bring?”
“You know me, the thrill junky. At least there’s never a dull moment in the Grantham household.”
One last blow and the door hit the crate, toppling the empty top one to the floor with another crash. Dim morning light filled the room from the opening. Shelby blinked against the change.
“There’s something in the way,” a man’s voice said.
“Well, keep pushing.” The fatigue in Philip’s voice made Shelby smile grimly. They must have been wandering in the storm all this time.
“I’ll shoot the first man through that door,” Ava called. “And you know I don’t miss, Shang.”
“Now, Ava. How fitting that you should join us.” Philip’s smooth words didn’t fit the tightness in his voice. “I’m sorry to see you get pulled into this. You had a great future with Grantham Industries. There’s time to reconsider your position. I can make it worth your while to join my personal staff.”
“As your bodyguard? Hmm.” She paused as though considering it. “Yeah, you’ll need a guard in prison, won’t you? Especially for your pretty boy son. You wouldn’t want him to be turned into some con’s girlfriend, would you?” Shang Junior growled something, but Ava continued, “I think ...no.” She threw something out in Spanish, the disgust in her voice so rich it had to have been an insult.
Philip swore. “Get that door open.”
Ava lifted her revolver to the ready.
***
Wade’s mind ran in all directions. He’d never felt so helpless in his life, even more than when Shelby had walked away. It really ticked him off that he’d finally gotten her back and now this psycho wanted to kill them all. Wade steadied his breath; he needed to be calm for Shelby.
