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Just then, Tanner lets out a bloodcurdling scream. When I turn my head to find out what’s happening to Tanner, my movements are in slow motion. Penny yanks the knife out of Tanner’s thigh and stabs him higher.

When she jerks it back to stab him again, Zach grabs her wrist with the knife. He must squeeze or twist her wrist because she grunts as she drops it. The knife clatters to the floor. There’s a loud thud behind me, and I turn to watch Jack take down the big guy.

“Run, Harper. Now!” He runs toward Zach, bringing his zip-tied wrists down against his hips, breaking free. He tackles Zach to the ground.

“Go!” Penny yells as she picks the batons up off the floor.

I look at my empty hands, wondering when I dropped them. My brain is underwater. My thoughts are muddied. Her fists connect with Tanner.

I should be doing something.

Run. I need to run. My brain feels hot, but I stumble out the door. I need to get to where my guys can find me.

My ring. If I can get past whatever dampeners they have, my guys can find me, and they can save Jack and Penny. Remembering the blood spilling down Tanner’s leg, my thoughts swim. Maybe Tanner needs saving from Penny too.

I stumble down the hallway, careening into the walls. I find a staircase and hurry down it, holding tight to the railing because my knees feel loose, and my head swims.

My dress is almost dry, but my feet are bare as I cross the dirty, worn carpeted entryway to a large door and yank it open. The night air is cool against my overheated skin.

So good. Like a lover’s caress. Fuck, that’s weird. I need to go.

I stagger down the porch steps and see woods. Woods are good. The other way is open fields. I just need to hide long enough for my guys to find me and before the drugs really kick in.

I run across the lawn, ignoring the rocks and branches that dig into my feet. It hurts for a moment, and then it’s gone. Nothing matters except for me getting as far away as possible before the drugs make it impossible for me to flee.

Branches grab at my dress and slice across my face as I dive into the woods where the underbrush is thickest. The brush is dense and difficult to move through, but I keep pushing forward as it snags my skin and clothes. I don’t know how long I run for, but at some point, I hear voices behind me.

“Spread out and find her. Forget about the others. The boss wants her.”

My already thundering heart tries to break out of my chest. I ignore the stabs of pain in my sore feet as I try desperately to move quietly through the branches. I stumble more than once, but I always regain my footing and never look back.

My mom would never forgive me for being the stupid girl in the horror movies who looks behind her while running and trips and falls so the murderer can get her. Momma didn’t raise a quitter.

I duck around a tree, and something wraps around me, pulling me in tight to a warm body. I struggle, but don’t want to cry out so his friends can find us. One guy is easier to deal with than two. All those moves that Caden taught me seem to fly out of my mind though.

Keep moving? Or is this one of those go loose so they can’t hold you?

“Fuck, princess. Stop.” Luke’s voice against my ear makes my insides cave in. “I’ve got you.”

I stop struggling and turn, burying my head in his chest as tears of relief flood my eyes. All that tension and fight evaporates. He holds me close, cradling me like I’m the most precious thing he’s ever found, and I’m just so glad he’s here.

He lets out a low whistle like a bird song. Two whistles join his.

An abrupt yell is cut off near us, followed by a thud on the ground.

“Shh, quiet, Harper. We need to be quiet for a few minutes.”

I grab his shirt and hold on for dear life. Because I’m never letting him go. Not now that I’m back in his arms. His solid, warm arms. I never want to leave them again.

CHAPTER 25

The Cavalry

Caden

I take down one of the guys those assholes sent after Harper, all the anger and frustration I’ve pent up since they took her unloading onto this fucker.

Her ring blipped into existence again about ten minutes ago. We couldn’t get her location when she was in the house. It’s at least three stories tall and looks like it should be condemned.