“Then we alldie.” She elbowed him, hard.Because she wasn’t in the mood to die.Atlas let her go.She stepped to the side.“Out!”Lily ordered the men—more men who were taking off their balaclavas and frowning.Some showing real fear.“He wouldn’t just leave a window open.”How absurd would that be?And how could they not all see that this was just wrong?And it was more than just the open window.“Atlas, think about it!He wouldn’t just let them all rush inside!”Unless hewantedthem inside.
A glance at Atlas let her see the unease on his face.Yes, he was getting it.Finally.But they seriously needed to hurry along this scene.“He made it too easy for them to get in.Far too easy.There has to be more.”And, unfortunately, she believed that more meant… “We are going to die!” How many times did a woman have to make that dramatic pronouncement before men got it?
A muscle flexed along Atlas’s clenched jaw.
Come on, Atlas.Come on.“The lantern was the only thing I found downstairs.Conveniently left right next to our landing spot at the bottom of the steps.There were no torture instruments in the basement.”
“Then why the fuck were you going on and on about my disembowelment?”
Because that was done to the other prey.Not something she had time to discuss.Her teeth snapped together.“Why did he bring you here?Bring us here?Why didn’t he kill me on the way?Why didn’t he killyouin the parking lot?”She didn’t give him a chance to answer.“Because you need bait if you are planning a trap.Guess what we are?”Tempting, perfect bait.
Atlas stared into her eyes.
They were losing time.“What does it hurt to wait outside?”she breathed.“We need to get out.” Every instinct she had screamed this truth at her.
“No one is going anywhere.”Benedict moved toward the front door.“I’m securing the scene.I already said backup will be here soon.We’re talking a matter of minutes.Until the cavalry comes, we stay inside, and wewait.For all we know, the perp is outside with a rifle, waiting to pick off his prey.”He dipped his head toward Atlas.“That would be you.”
No, no, no.If the killer had been outside with a rifle, he would have shot the rescue army when they were rushing toward the cabin.“We have to get outside.” Desperation clawed at her.“Atlas, listen to me.This is life or death.We need to get out of here, right now.Now.”
In the distance, she heard the scream of sirens.
“My backup.”Benedict was pleased.“Let’s just give it just a little longer and?—”
“We’re going outside.”Atlas nodded.“Now.”His gaze cut to his army.
Their weapons all immediately came up again.
“What the hell?Lower your weapons, lower them!”Benedict blasted.
“We’re getting the fuck out,” Atlas said.He marched toward Benedict.“And you’ll either shoot me or you’ll get the hell out of the way.”
The cuffs had her surging behind him, but—forget being behind him.Lily hurriedly lunged in front of Atlas.The man needed a human shield, and it was gonna have to be her.Not like she wanted Benedict getting trigger happy with the guy.
“What are you doing?”Atlas gritted out.
Uh, protecting him.Wasn’t that obvious?“I don’t think you’ll shoot me,” Lily said to Benedict.She certainly hoped the detective wouldn’t pull the trigger on her.
“Don’t tempt me,” Benedict muttered right back.His weapon didn’t lower.
“This place is a trap.Why was the back window open?”Her free hand flew out and grabbed for the doorknob.Atlas’s men hadn’t even tried the lock.They’d just assumed the door was locked when they stormed inside.But she reached for the knob, and it turned easily.“Not even locked.It’s a trap.”
There was cursing from the men in black.They surged forward.
And worry flashed on Benedict’s handsome face.
“He wanted everyone here.”She could hear the frayed edges in her own voice.“He wanted?—”
“Screw this.”Atlas grabbed her.Hauled her off her feet and barreled forward.“Get the hell out of the way, Detective Swain.”
Benedict got out of the way.Atlas and his men rushed outside.Atlas had a tight, unbreakable grip on her.His men circled around them, physical shields, as they hurried onto a small, wooden porch, then down into an open yard.Stars glittered overhead.A hazy moon.No other houses or cabins nearby.Gravel crunched beneath them.And she could see blue police lights flashing in the distance.
“I need to search the house!”Benedict yelled.
She looked over her shoulder.He stood in the open doorway.
“There could be other vics.”He turned away.Ducked back inside.“I have to check downstairs.”
What?No!“Benedict!”
