Page 104 of Savage Surrender

His weight is already too far outside the rail. He tries to drag his other leg over, the cord around his wrists catches on the metal, and his shoe slips across the wet stone.

His whole body starts to slide, and out of instinct, my hand closes around his wrist. I hit the railing hard, and Owen grabs onto me before my father’s weight pulls me over with him. Pain rips through my shoulder. His bound hands claw for a better grip while my forearm shakes beneath him.

He looks up. “I knew you wouldn’t let me fall.”

Owen braces one knee against the base of the railing, both fists locked in my clothes. “I’ve got you.”

Charles tightens his fingers around my wrist. “Pull me up, Frederick.”

He twists inside my grip. “Don’t make me ask twice.”

Then I shake him loose.

His face changes into a look of horror. “Fred⁠—”

His shout cuts off when he hits the flagstone on his side with a blunt crack that carries up the walls.

I thought my father would look bigger dead. He has filled every room I’ve entered for as long as I can remember. From up here, he is only a man on pale stone with one arm bent beneath him.

There’s a loud thump across the hall.

My mom is on her knees beside the bed with one hand pressed to her chest. The blanket has slipped from one shoulder.

“Is he dead?” she asks. Her legs fold when she tries to stand. I catch her beneath the arms.

“He fell from the balcony trying to get away.”

“I need to get out of this house.”

“We’re leaving. Winston will have something for the bond withdrawals.”

Owen wedges the camera laptop beside the personal computer, shifts the weapons and phones, then forces the zipper over the last inch. He shoulders the bag while I keep one arm around my mom.

We take the back stairs so she never sees the courtyard.

The pull-off is a five-minute walk through trees. Mom leans harder into me with every turn, but she keeps moving.

Winston’s SUV is angled toward the road with a dark sedan parked behind it. Matt waits beside the sedan with the keys in his hand.

Winston’s window is down. “The back is unlocked. Help her inside.”

“Winston?” Mom’s hand tightens on my sleeve.

“Hi, Mrs. Miller.”

I make sure she doesn’t bump her head getting in. He asks about the bond, her head, her breathing, whether she was given anything, and whether she can see him clearly. She answers every question herself.

“Clara is waiting down the road at a diner with medical supplies and food,” Winston tells her.

“I don’t need⁠—”

“She’ll only do what you’re comfortable with.” Winston starts the engine. “Then we’ll take you somewhere safe.”

Mom says okay softly and closes the door.

Winston turns to Owen. “Where’s Bianca?”

“Supposed to be with Weller and Tristan.” Owen takes the keys Matt holds out. “These assholes found the island, and nobody’s answering. She’s close to heat.”