Then he turned to Naomi.
Before he could speak, she said, “I want to go with you. Please. I’ll follow your rules. Just don’t leave me here. I don’t want to feel helpless.”
He opened his mouth to argue. Then he realized there was a good chance she would follow him anyway. At least if they started out together, he wouldn’t be taken by surprise.
“Fine,” he finally said. “But you have to stay behind me.”
“I will. I promise.”
As she climbed out, he double-checked the sidearm Knox had given him.
Then he and Naomi began moving through the trees toward the property, staying low and using the tree line for cover. Closer to the house, he assessed the situation.
One man was visible near the SUV, leaning against the hood, phone in hand.
Then from somewhere behind the building—distant but unmistakable—a dog barked.
“That’s Good Boy,” Naomi murmured.
Micah listened. The dog barked again—agitated, insistent.
He looked at Naomi.
They had Grace here.
And they had Good Boy.
There would be no holding Naomi back.
He turned back to the property and tried to decide on their next move.
