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Reed laughed shortly and pushed a hand at his hair. “Thanks for helping me avoid that.”
“Sure. You’re my friend. So, you and my big sis, huh? Is she the coolest ever?”
“She is,” Reed agreed. “But Thor …” Should he share with her brother? He wanted Esther’s trust more than anything, but he feared he’d never have it.
“Yeah?” Thor said into the pause.
Reed shook his head. He couldn’t say anything. “Sorry, I can’t.”
“She’s trying to ditch you?” Thor guessed.
Reed could only grunt. Why couldn’t he ever be enough for Esther? Why couldn’t she confide in him and love him like he loved her?
“Sorry, man,” Thor said. “I wish I had some good advice or something.”
Reed wished he did too.
“You know I support you.” Thor huffed out a heavy breath. “I adore my sis so much. If she’d just …” He broke off, and Reed was glad he did. He wanted to know what was keeping him and Esther apart, but he wanted her to be the one to trust him with it. “Are you going to give up on her?”
“Never,” Reed said so vehemently it surprised even him.
“Thank you.” Thor released a breath. “I was afraid you’d get sick of it. You know how hard I pursued Shelly.”
“I do.” Reed had been friends with both of them for a lot of years.
“It was … rough, but now? So worth it, man. So worth it.”
Reed felt that course through him. He was good at being patient. Esther was worth any amount of patience he had to exercise. He opened his mouth to thank his friend—
Bullets slammed into the exterior of the cabin. Glass shattered.
Reed dropped the phone and dove for his pistol on the kitchen table. The two windows on the north side of the cabin had numerous holes in them, and the one was half gone. The bathroom had a window on that same side. Had Garret shot it out as well?
Reed grabbed his pistol and raced for the bathroom door.
“No!” Esther screamed, the sound muffled.
Reed yanked on the handle. Locked. He kicked the door, but it didn’t budge. Growling in frustration, he backed up and shot at the lock, then kicked it in. The door finally flew open to reveal Garret trying to shove Esther out the broken window. She was fighting back beautifully. She was still in her T-shirt and shorts.
“Let her go!” Reed hollered, rushing toward them.
“Stop!” Garret squealed, shoving his pistol into Esther’s neck.
Reed stopped mid-stride and raised his hands, his pistol in his right hand. He was only two feet away. Did he dare leap at them, or would Garret fire? They knew this guy had killed repeatedly. Reed couldn’t risk Esther.
“Back up,” Garret instructed. “Drop your gun.”
Reed could hear footsteps pounding their way. Thor, Greer, Keith, and Colton would be here soon. He backed up and set the gun on the nearby counter. He wouldn’t risk it going off and hurting Esther if he dropped it.
Esther’s blue eyes were fully focused on Reed. Could he somehow signal her? He had to protect her at all costs. “My family will be here any second,” Esther said evenly. “You’d better run like the wimp you are.”
Reed had to admire her bravery, though it terrified him to have her in danger like this. This guy had shown no qualms about murdering the women he’d dated.
“After I kill you both,” Garret sneered.
“Shoot me first.” Reed prayed Esther would get away if given the chance. Then he could shoot Garret.
“Gladly.” Garret whipped the gun from Esther’s neck.
