Page 185 of Protecting You

Benson caught movement and shifted, seeing Callan in the window.

He should’ve raised his hands. He should’ve backed away from Alyssa.

But he didn’t. He gripped her neck and squeezed.

Callan fired.

Benson collapsed on top of her.

She didn’t move.

Peri screamed.

The guy at the computer turned, took in the situation.

And launched himself not toward the door, but toward Peri. Maybe thinking to hide behind her. Or use her as a hostage.

Same thing.

Callan fired again.

The man fell.

Callan pushed on the board so he could get in. “I got them. Two down. Ghazi’s in the house.”

Somewhere. Callan had definitely heard his voice. He must’ve left when he saw Peri with the gun. The coward.

Peri was still screaming.

“It’s me, Peri. It’s Daddy.” Callan put his handgun into his pocket and shoved against the plywood with all his strength. It gave, and he angled his head in the gap between the wood and the window jamb.

Peri was still holding the weapon.

Fear and adrenaline thumped through his veins. An enemy was in the house somewhere. He needed to get inside, find Ghazi and take him out. But first…

“Put the gun down. It’s Daddy.”

She blinked.

The wood budged.

He forced it aside and levered into the room, landing on the end of a twin bed.

His daughter was staring at him. The gun dangled from her hand. She looked shell-shocked. Terrified. As if she didn’t know who he was. Or what was happening.

“It’s me, sweetheart. It’s Daddy.” She still didn’t move, so he pushed off the bed and scooped her into his arms, sliding the gun out of her little hand. “You’re safe now. You’re safe.”

She melted against him, sobbing. “He killed her, Daddy. She’s dead. She’s dead.”

He spun to face Alyssa.

Benson’s lifeless body lay atop hers. He couldn’t see her face, but he didn’t need to.

She still hadn’t moved. Wasn’t even trying to get out from under him.

Outside the window, a man screamed, the sound visceral, nearly inhuman.

But itwashuman.

---