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She doesn’t answer.
I drive faster.
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
Jennifer
I keep Lucifer in my arms, even when he tries to squirm away. He’s barking like crazy, deep barks that make him sound way bigger than he is.
Benny paces up and down in front of the safe room’s door, a low growl coming from deep in his throat, his tail alert.
Looking around the small room, I study the bed, the tinned supplies, and the small stove.
Is the door strong enough to need all that?
Lucifer erupts into loud barking again when the noise gets worse. It sounds like they’re cutting the door, a steady hum punctuated by clangs of metal.
Each clang makes my heart beat a little quicker.
I don’t know what’s happening, but clearly, Patrick knew this was coming. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given me the code to the safe room.
Patrick was supposed to be Jamie’s friend.
Is Peggy in on this too?
I think that’s what Jamie said on the phone, but the connection was weak, cutting out as I carried the cordless across the backyard.
I shudder as the door makes another terrible sound, a harsh cutting.
Lucifer jumps from my arms and runs at the metal door, barking deeply. Benny springs after him, putting his body between the smaller dog and the door.
“Lucifer, come here.” I run over, quickly scoop him up, then carry him as far away from the door as possible. “Don’t do that again.”
I want to hurt the men doing this, taking Kelly and breaking this door down. How dare they threaten our family, me, and the dogs?
I already feel so protective over them, and it’s just a preview of the feeling that will overwhelm me when I bring Jamie’s children into this world.
Our children always loved.
Protected.
As the clanging continues, I search for weapons. It’s difficult opening cupboards holding Lucifer, but I manage it.
Under the small sink unit, there’s a large knife in a sheath.
And, past that…a gun.
I swallow, my hand trembling as I take it.
The banging seems closer.
The door….
It’s glowing blue on my side. Like they’re right there. A hot point starts to form on the metal, burning brightly, and then it moves slowly.
They’re going to cut a hole. But it will take a while if they want one big enough to climb through.
I have to put Lucifer down.
There’s no way I can hold him and work out how to use this freaking gun. I’ve never handled a weapon in my life.
I study it. That’s the safety…how do I even know it’s loaded?
I check the safety, my pulse shivering, the walls feeling like they’re going to collapse.
How many are out there?
Lucifer is at the door, barking up at the light.
Benny’s at his side, growling, teeth bared.
“Benny, here,” I say, hating how much my voice shakes. Maybe Lucifer will stop if the bigger dog does. “Benny.”
The dog looks at me, then turns to the door and barks loudly.
“Benny!” I yell, my voice breaking.
I can’t think what will happen if they break through and the dogs are right there. I should’ve brought their leashes. I’m such an idiot.
But no, I can’t think like that.
Fuck.
The hole is getting bigger. They’re not trying to cut their way in.
They’re making a hole to shoot through.
I look around the room, thinking. It’s like math. I have to study math for my teaching course. There are some basic things, like angles, and it comes to me now. The angle of the hole…I need to move into the corners.
But what if they have more than guns?
Little bombs, what the heck are they called?
Grenades.
What the fuck do I do if they have grenades?
But wouldn’t they have used explosives on the door if they had them?
I shake my head, paralyzed, trying to snap myself out of it.
Quickly, I rush to the corner of the room. On my way, I grab Lucifer and cradle him one-handed to my chest. I’ll have to do my best with the gun.
“Benny,” I snap. “Here. Now. Benny.”
He turns and holds my gaze this time. He truly is an intelligent dog. With Lucifer out of the way – but still barking deeply – Benny walks over and stands at my feet.
I press myself against the wall. If they have grenades… I’m screwed either way in that case. This does something.
A hunk of metal falls away, crashing onto the floor.
There’s no sound, then a voice, male and low.
“Jennifer? Jamie sent me. I’m here to take you to Kelly.”
Don’t talk, I silently yell at myself.
It’s clearly a lie. There’s no way they would cut a hole in the door if Jamie sent him.
“Jamie was shot rescuing her,” the man goes on. “He’s in critical condition, but Kelly’s safe.”
How the heck did Jamie send him if he’s in critical condition?
“That dog sure does sound angry,” the man says.
Lucifer barks some more as though furiously agreeing with the man.
“Fine, I get it. You’re not stupid. Listen, Jennifer, I’ve got no desire to kill any animals. Don’t make this difficult.”
