Page 29 of Toxic Truth

He’d move heaven and earth before that happened. Fuck, he’d spirit her out of the country, somehow, to protect her future.

Exhausted and uncertain, she lay on the sofa where they’d last made love, Bullet at her feet, both asleep.

A better picture didn’t exist.

Beep.

He jerked at the muffled alarm and pulled his laptop closer. The monitors showed what they should, wind ruffling branches and kicking up dust, vegetation wiggling then going still, shadows inert— Fuck.

One shifted. The thermal imaging picking up a heat signature too small for an animal. Not a bear either.

A man.

His heart jumped to his throat. Everything he’d learned urged him to douse the lights in here for an even playing field. Except it wouldn’t be. The SOB would notice and might take off, prepared to come back another day, his newest ambush deadlier.

How in the fuck did he get through the guys’ perimeters?

Too late to ask. Lucas’s first thought was waking Kenzie and getting her to the panic room off the bath. An area he hadn’t mentioned, not wanting to frighten her.

He should have.

His options now meant waking her and trusting the motherfucker outside wouldn’t notice or take a shot, through bulletproof glass, while she crossed the room, or hoping she’d stay asleep, hidden by the sofa.

During these last days, he’d learned she was dead to the world when she rested. Taking a chance on that, he faked a yawn and a stretch then padded toward the hall. Once he was out of sight, he bolted down it.

In his bedroom, he yanked on his jeans and boots then pulled out three rifles any sniper would be proud to own. He hauled one over each shoulder, held the third, then grabbed his handcuffs and thermal goggles.

Halfway down the hall, Kenzie approached. She halted, her mouth falling open at his weapons.

Before she could say a word, he clamped his hand over her mouth and spoke as quietly as he could. “Someone’s outside. Stay here. I mean it. If you budge an inch or breathe too hard, you could get me killed.”

Tears ran down her face, but she nodded.

“Is Bullet still asleep?”

Another nod.

Hopefully, he’d stay that way. If the following moments turned into a battle, the suppressors—also known as silencers—on Lucas’s weapons and the assassin’s wouldn’t disturb the shepherd. In all likelihood, he’d remain safe.

He gave Kenzie the rifle he held. “If anyone comes inside, kill them.” He explained how to position and fire the weapon. “Don’t think, argue, or beg. Shoot.”

“But—”

“Fuck that.” He shook her shoulders. “Do as I say. Stay here. Keep the rifle aimed.”

Before she could speak, he dashed to the back door and held his breath.

No noise sounded from boots crunching gravel or kicking aside rocks.

Either the intruder was too far away or the wind and rattling branches masked the sounds.

Unable to wait and risk the worst, he stole outside and raced to the nearest shadows. Hidden within them, he slipped on his goggles.

The hired killer inched closer to the cabin and the sole door on that side. He leaned right and left, checking the windows.

Trying to determine movement. The best kill shot.

Not tonight, fucker.