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She wasn’t going to cause him more trouble or get in his way. “Ready.”
“Good. We’ll go out the window at the side of the cabin. They’ll be watching the doors. Stick close to me, and we’ll move through the shadows. Stay low.”
She nodded. Her heart was pounding so hard in her chest that it hurt.
They moved into a tiny laundry room. Boone opened the window, and she watched him snap his fingers at Atlas. The dog leaped out.
Boone threw a leg over the windowsill and followed, looking smooth and stealthy.
“Come on,” he whispered.
She swung her leg over and was not so graceful. She half tumbled out the window into Boone’s arms. He set her on her feet.
He lifted a hand and made a signal that she guessed meant to follow him. She stayed right behind his broad back. They set off across the grass, staying as close to the trees as they could. Ahead, the large shadow of the barn loomed in the distance.
She was tempted to look around, but she just focused on keeping up with Boone.
With every step, she expected to hear a shout, or a gunshot.
She was relieved when they finally reached the barn. Boone pressed his back to the wood and pulled her close. Atlas stayed nearby.
Boone tugged her toward the doorway. It was pitch black inside the structure.
“Wait in here with Atlas.” His mouth brushed her ear, and he nudged her against the wall, just inside the barn. “I need to get some things. Stay hidden.”
“Okay.”
She hated to admit it, but she was scared to be left alone. She swallowed hard as Boone disappeared into the darkness.
Gemma dragged in a breath. Then Atlas brushed her leg, and she ran a hand over his fur.
Knowing the dog was with her helped.
Again, anger that this was happening filled her. She felt like a hunted animal. She scrubbed a hand over her face.
Then Atlas stiffened. He was staring at the large door into the barn.
Fear clogged her throat. She couldn’t see anything. Her pulse drummed. She shifted against the wall, trying to stay deep in the shadows.
Suddenly, a dark shadow charged through the door, right at her.
Gemma grunted as the man hit her, and they slammed into the wall.
“Should have stayed still, then I might not have seen you.” The man gripped her throat. “You’ve caused us a lot of trouble, bitch.”
It was the man who’d said he wanted to hurt her. She recognized his accented voice. Without stopping to think, Gemma rammed her palm into his nose.
He growled, and she twisted to escape. He grabbed her hair and pulled.
No. The pain in her scalp brought tears to her eyes. This wasn’t happening.
“Keep fighting, girl,” he said. “Give me an excuse to hurt you.”
“Asshole,” she bit out.
He grabbed the front of her sweater and pulled her up on her toes.
There was a low, dangerous snarl, right before Atlas slammed into the man.
