Page 144 of The Secrets She Keeps

He was outgunned, and he was bleeding. Backup—nonexistent. He was going to have to do this alone. He couldn't count on Daniel being able to get to help. Not in the condition the other man was in. Fear tightened Gunnar's gut.

His woman needed him, her parents were in trouble, and his friend was bleeding out—and he was grossly outnumbered.

No one was going to rush in to help him now.

Gunnar knew the layout of her parents' home. It was the same as most in the Hughes Heights neighborhood. But there were security features in place he was going to have to find a way around. The last thing he needed was the alarms going off.

Movement to his left had him gripping his weapon tighter. Gunnar braced. Until he recognized the feminine silhouette in the deepening darkness.

"It's just me,” a female voice said. "Hell, Gun, what is going on here? I was afraid I'd find you on the ground like roadkill.”

Heather stepped out from behind the decorative column that led to the Barratts' drive. Her weapon was clutched in her hand.

He had never been happier to see someone in his life. But what in the hell was an armed Heather doing there now? "They have Powell. Inside. Her parents."

"I know. They made her callme.Trying to lure me out. She made it clear it was a trap. I'm here to check out what is going on.I wasn't sure who to call in. Who I could trust." She moved closer, so sound didn't carry as they spoke. "Mig’s on his way to my place to get his kids. They are going to redirect him. And Hope is getting Lake and Jake as soon as she can get them here."

That had just evened the odds considerably.

"McKellen's injured. He's out here somewhere. Took one to the chest."

She cursed. "You?"

"I'll live. Took one to the right shoulder. I need to get in there, but...security system."

"I can get that down. Give me a minute." She touched her ear. "I have Hope working a mini-command right now. Hope, are you there?"

He saw what she meant; Heather wore a headset. Apparently, she’d come prepared.

He listened as she gave her little sister instructions. To bring the Barratt family's security system down, as quickly as she could.

Like that wasnormalor something.

"What the hell?"

“Hope or Crispin are already working on hacking into the Barratts’ security system. Apparently, they like to play in the Hughes Heights Wi-Fi and servers when they are bored. They scare sometimes, those two. We're not doing this alone." Shewaited a moment. Listened to her phone. "Mig is near. He just showed up on my doorstep to get his kids two minutes ago. Hope has sent him our way. ETA is very soon. We need to come up with a plan. Hope says Crispin is almost in. I'll probably pay for this later, but needs must."

Movement behind Heather drew his attention next. The man who stood there was instantly recognizable. Gunnar didn’t know many men that size capable of moving so silently. Miguel was like a jungle cat when he was on a mission.

"What's the situation?" Miguel asked so quietly it was almost imperceptible.

"Powell hinted it was Trey Grundenman inside," Heather said. "I was able to get close to the living room window. I could see a man's feet in the doorframe. I'm not sure, but I think it's her father. Hope and Crispin are getting me inside their security cameras now, but it may take them a few more minutes. If they can get in at all."

"Your sister is beyond terrifying at times," Miguel said. "How do we want to do this?"

"Dan is out here somewhere. He's been hurt pretty badly," Gunnar said. "We need to get him help as fast as we can."

"One of Powell's guards is gone. The other was holding on. But I don't know for how long," Heather said. "We need to move fast so we can get that kid help as soon as possible."

They'd waited around long enough. It was time to do this. "We need a plan."

Heather hesitated for a moment. "Let's give them what theywant."

"What do you mean?" Miguel asked.

"Powell called me. Asked me to come over. They wouldn't have let her do that without a reason. They...wanted me here." Heather turned back toward the house. "And they are expecting me verysoon."

"They think I'm down, most likely," Gunnar said. The fire in his chest hadn't gone away. It was getting worse. He was just ignoring it.“I can go in.”

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