Page 29 of Sam's Salvation

“What was that?”

She stood. “It sounded like the front door lock. It makes a beep like that when the wrong code is entered.”

Sam cursed and got up. “Time to go.” He grabbed the remainder of her clothes and threw them in the suitcase, zipping it shut.

Audra picked up her passport and the cash, stuffing them down inside the large purse she carried. She opened her nightstand and took out a handgun. “Let’s go.”

“You have another one of those for me?”

She handed him the forty-five she carried, then went to her closet and came back with a thirty-eight revolver. “I prefer this one, anyway.”

Sam glanced at the weapon she held up. It was the same make and model as the gun she’d left in their hotel room. “Good deal.” Hefting the suitcase off the bed, he trailed her to the door. She paused in the hall, listening.

“The door’s still closed, I think.” She glanced back at him.

That was good. They needed to go downstairs and pass through the living room—which was visible from the front door—to get to the back door.

On light feet, they descended the stairs. Sam kept the suitcase on his shoulder so the wheels wouldn’t clack on the floor. Audra detoured to the coffee table and picked up her laptop, stuffing it inside her large handbag. At the back door, he put a hand on her arm. “Wait.”

“What?”

“If someone’s out there, I want you to take off for the trees. Don’t wait for me; just get to the car.” He dug into his pocket for the key fob, then held it out.

“Sam—”

“Don’t argue, Aud. I’m a better fighter than you, especially with your injuries.”

Her mouth flattened, but she took the fob. “Fine.” Stuffing it into her pocket, she moved toward the door and took up residence to its right.

Sam stationed himself on the left and peered through the window. The yard looked clear, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t someone up against the house he couldn’t see or hiding behind the small garden shed. “I think it’s as clear as it’s going to get.”

“Agreed.”

He stowed the forty-five in his belt, then grasped the knob. “Ready?”

She nodded once, staring out at the yard.

Sam opened the door. She swung out, purse on her shoulder and gun at the ready. He fell in line behind her. Back to back, they walked toward the rear of the property. They were nearly at the gate when movement near the side of the condo caught his attention.

“Go!” He gave her a soft shove and turned to face the man coming toward them.

The stranger raised his arm, a matte black pistol in his hand. Sam feinted to the side as the man fired. He spared a glance over his shoulder to make sure Audra was in the clear. She’d made it through the gate and was moving through the brush. Sam turned back to the intruder and fired back. The man retreated to the side of the condo, and Sam ran for the property line.

Dashing through the gate and into the trees, he caught up to Audra. She ran, but not well. Still holding his weapon, he hooked an arm around her waist and lifted her off her feet.

She let out a squeak. “What are you doing?”

“I run faster too. Hold on.”

Sam ran as fast as he dared. The woods weren’t deep, so they quickly broke through the other side. He ran between the buildings and rounded the corner before heading straight again. They needed the cover.

He made it behind the first line of cars in the parking lot before he spotted the shooter.

“Put me down.” Audra tapped his shoulder.

Sam set her on her feet. They were only yards from the car. Ducking low, they scampered toward it. “We’re only going to have moments to get in and get away once we unlock it.” The damn thing would beep when it was unlocked. He should have disabled that feature, but didn’t think about it until now.

They circled the car, Sam at the driver’s door and Audra beside him, ready to dive into the backseat.