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But there was a second man. Bigger, stronger. Sydney saw the knife. And Pen was far too close. “Pen, run!”
Sydney put herself between her friend and the man with a face she’d never forget, under a ballcap he probably thought hid him from her view.
His eyes…she wouldneverforget his blue eyes.
“Well, hello, beautiful girl. You’ve grown up very nicely now, haven’t you?” He feinted left.
She heard shouting. She didn’t turn. Her eyes stayed on his.
It was his eyes she’d never forget—blue and empty. Soulless.
He had a knife, and it was obvious he knew how to use it.
And his friend was blocking Keller and Pen from getting to Caine.
Caine was bellowing for his daughter. For his younger sister.
Caine charged. An angry, six-foot-six, muscle-bound man-bull would be there any second.
It was Pen or Keller they wanted.
Not Sydney.
She was just in the way.
And that meant she was expendable.
Well, he wasn’t getting Pen or Keller. Not on Sydney’s watch.
The man came at her.
They’d come for Pen. She was almost certain of it.
She tried to kick, to defend, but he was bigger and stronger and far meaner. Fire burned through her stomach.
People shouted.
Gerard was there now, too. Fighting the man off. But he couldn’t pull his gun here. Not at a school. With so many little kids right there.
Screaming.
People everywhere were screaming.
The men ran off. She heard tires squealing. Heard people yelling her name.
And then she looked down.
44
Pen heldon to Keller as people just were everywhere. The bodyguards were there. Gerard was leaning over Sydney, cursing. Caine grabbed Pen by the arm. “Are you ok? Stay right here, understand? I have to see to Sydney. Dalton and Everett are right there. Stay with my kids, Penelope!”
She just nodded and pulled Keller closer. She took just enough steps through the crowd to get them to Everett and little Dalton. The mayor’s wife had Dalton held tight in her arms. Dalton wasn’t even four yet. He didn’t need to see this. She looked back.
Caine was leaning over Sydney. There was a woman there next to him with glasses and hospital scrubs. They were taking care of Sydney. Pen looked at the mayor’s wife. She nudged her niece toward the older woman. “Keep her safe.”
The woman nodded, and held Keller close against the wall.
Pen went back to Sydney’s side. She made sure to keep out of Caine’s way. He was a doctor; he knew what he was doing. And the woman in scrubs, she was doing exactly what Caine was telling her to do.
