Colt and the intruder were on the ground, wrestling for control of a gun.
The dogs barked, growled and snarled as they lunged at the assailant dressed from head to toe in black, with only his eyes revealed through the slits of a ski mask.
The alarm ceased and the back door opened. Joe, wearing lounge pants and a T-shirt over his barreled chest, rushed out with a rifle at his shoulder. “Colt!”
Maren jumped into the fray, helping Colt to secure the weapon and subdue the intruder. They managed to force the man to his stomach.
Colt yanked the man’s arms behind his back while Maren grabbed the Glock. “Joe, do you have any zip ties?”
“Would duct tape do?” the older man asked.
“Yes, Dad,” Colt said.
Joe hurried inside as Dottie came out in a robe belted at the waist. “The security system alerted the police. They’ll be here soon.”
When Joe returned, Colt used the duct tape to secure the intruder’s hands behind his back. Then he slipped the mask off the man’s head.
Recognizing him as one of the men who’d attacked her at the river and then managed to make bail after being arrested, she couldn’t keep the anger out of her voice as she asked, “How did Shadow know we were here?”
“I want a lawyer,” the man said with a smug smile.
Gritting her teeth, she found it took all her restraint not to topple him over and tell Haven to attack again.
Shortly the police arrived and did a perimeter sweep to make sure the man had been alone. Not finding any more bad guys, the police took statements and hauled the assailant off to jail.
No doubt to be released on bail again. The burn of frustration had Maren rubbing her temples as she entered the house.
They gathered in the kitchen, and Dottie handed out mugs of hot chocolate. They all needed a moment to let the adrenaline from the intruder’s presence ebb.
“How did Shadow’s man know we were here?” Maren asked Colt. She sat at the counter and wrapped her hands around the mug, needing the warmth to chase away the cold seeping into her bones despite the moderate temperature of the house.
“We could have been tailed from the hotel,” Colt replied. “Though I kept an eye out.”
The self-recrimination in his tone had her touching his arm. “This isn’t your fault. Did you tell anyone you were coming? Or maybe one of the people at the party unknowingly let slip to someone in Shadow’s organization that we were here.”
“Only Emmett and my boss knew we were coming,” Colt said. “I’d hate to think anyone we know might have ties to Shadow.”
With a sigh, Maren turned to Dottie. “I’m sorry. We had no idea this maniac would attack here.”
“Don’t blame yourself, dear.” Dottie put down her mug and gave Maren a hug. “Bad people will always find a way.”
Unfortunately, there was truth in her words. Maren set aside her full mug. She couldn’t take anything in at the moment.
“Well, now we know to be more cautious,” Joe said. “I’ve reset the security system. Monday I’ll have the security company put in sensors farther out on the property.”
“I’m exhausted,” Dottie said. “I’ll take care of the dirty mugs in the morning.”
“We should stay the night,” Colt said. “Just in case more of Shadow’s associates show up. I can’t leave you unprotected.”
“I agree,” Maren said. They were both exhausted and worried. Staying the night seemed like the right thing to do.
After doing another perimeter check with the dogs, Colt and Rusk walked Maren and Haven to their room on the second floor. The soft cream carpet masked their steps. Wall scones threw an amber glow on the cream-colored walls.
“You okay?” he asked as they halted outside of the room.
Her natural tendency to balk at any hint she wasn’t okay rose, but she tamped it down. His concern was genuine and warranted. “I will be once we find my sister and bring down Shadow. I hate that we brought trouble to your parents’ house.”
“I hear you,” he said. “And we will succeed.”
