“Alyssa’s boyfriend returned and took her hostage. Sam intervened, but then?—”
The line cut out, probably from the interference from the incoming storm. “Mav, I didn’t get that last part.”
“Parker, you there?”
“Yeah, I didn’t catch all that.”
“Cassidy was hit by a car.”
“Cassidy? But?—”
“The car took off. I’m pulling all camera feed now. With any luck, we’ll get a plate number.”
“Alright, I’ll be right in.”
“Get—”
But I never heard what he was going to say. Alarms shattered the quiet of the house. I didn’t need to see it to know that the locks were slamming into place and the countdown for getting to the panic room had already started.
“Grab Rosie!” I shouted, but Blake was already on her feet, running toward our daughter’s room.
“Wes!” I shouted, but he was already storming down the stairs.
I bolted for the bedroom, quickly scanning my hand to unlock the walk-in safe. Snatching a rifle and ammo, I strode out just as Blake ran for the panic room with Rosie. I tossed Wes a rifle, which he expertly checked, having gone hunting with me a number of times. Just as Blake flung the door open, glass shattered, and our house lit up like the Fourth of July as gunfire rained down on us.
I barely made it inside, slamming my fist down on the button to quickly shut the doors while Blake carried a screaming Rosie over to the corner. Knight was already calling as I brought up the outdoor cameras that were quickly being taken out by bullets. Wes did as I taught him, locating the targets.
“Knight, where the fuck are you?”
“On my way. What the hell did you do?”
“Nothing!” I grabbed the controllers and swiveled the guns in the eaves of the house toward the targets. I never once thought that when Knight installed these, I would ever need them, but as I fired at the targets on my property, I was never so thankful to have them.
“There are alarms going off all over the ranch,” Knight snapped.
“Head to the main house. Rob can take care of Krista. Lizzy should be working late.”
“Already on the way.”
“Where’s Kate?”
“She’s secure. Stay there until I give you the all clear.”
The last camera was shot out, leaving me blind. “My eyes are gone, Knight. We’re pinned down. Call me when you’ve got something.”
“If you don’t hear from me in ten, use the underground tunnel and get the hell out of there.”
“Stay frosty.”
The line went dead, and I turned to my wife. Someone was attacking us, and now we were in one of the worst situations of our lives.
I could handle anything that came at us, but now they involved our kids. Someone was going to die tonight.
26
BEN
The shuffleof feet on the stairs had me instantly on edge. No one ever came to the house anymore at night without knocking. Glancing over at Clara, I chose not to wake her until I was certain it was necessary.
