Page 263 of Saving Her

The only change to the night is the brighter glow coming from around the rear of the house more than fifty yards ahead.

Decker lands beside me with a heavy thud. “Where’s that fucking dog?”

“No idea. But I’m not hanging around to find out.”

I haul ass along the side fence, noting the lack of ground-level windows along this part of the house. Only small rectangles for the basement and large squares on the upper level. Or there’s the too obvious option of the side door.

“We’ll make our way in through the basement.” I jerk my chin toward the first small window. “That way we can start clearing rooms from top to bottom.”

“But?”

“I don’t see any screens or sliding partitions to be able to dislodge. If we break glass we’re going to be heard.”

“What about the door?” He inches closer. “I’ve got a bump key. I could get it open in seconds.”

“They’ll expect it. We need an edge.” I scan every inch of the side of the building and yard. “I can’t see any cameras; can you?”

There’s nothing. Not even the fuse box.

“I can’t see shit,” he mutters.

“Then we’re going in without cutting the power.” I run for the house, keeping a low profile as I make my way to one of the lower windows. I fall to my knees and skim my fingers over the glass edges, looking for a weak point, shoving it with the heel of my palm, thumping it with my elbow.

“Let me try the door.” Decker backtracks.

“Leave the fucking door—”

A scream carries from inside, the guttural cry filled with fear.

My heart stops. My fucking world tilts.

“That’s Penny.” Decker sprints for the door. “To hell with being stealth.”

I shove from the cement, scrambling to stop him from doing something stupid. But he’s already pulled a key from his pocket to jam in the lock by the time I reach his side, his jacket swept off to wrap around it. With a few quick taps of the butt of his gun, he jiggles the handle, then twists.

“Like I said, it’s easy as shit.” He shoves his arms back into the jacket.

“Keep your mouth shut.” I nudge him out of the way, staying low, my weapon ready as I creep inside.

It’s shadowed in this part of the house.

Quiet.

There’s no fucking sound apart from the barely audible squeak as Decker closes the door.

I visually sweep the laundry, making sure each dark corner doesn’t hold a threat before I continue to the open doorway.

Footsteps tread lightly from another room.

“I know you’re close,” a familiar voice taunts from nearby. “I can hear you.”

“Luca?” This time it’s Penny, her call stabbing through me as I remain quiet. “There’s only two of them,” she screams. “They’re not—”

Her words are cut short with a wail.

Decker makes to rush past me. I’m forced to block his path, shoving him backward before holding a silencing finger to my mouth. “Think,” I warn under my breath. “Don’t react.”

I’m fighting with every fucking breath to run for her myself.

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