Page 20 of When the Silence Breaks

Sarah!

Noise erupted from outside, near the shop ...exactly where he’d left Sarah.

Nine

Sarah had to move.

She’d spotted the intruder slipping out the window and landing with precision. His head snapped directly toward the shop. Why the shop? Why not just vanish into the night like any other burglar? Except this was no regular burglar. And Sarah was done standing still.

She calculated the exits and the distance between herself and the intruder as he stalked toward the shop. Ryder had wanted to protect her, to keep her out of danger.

She slipped out of the shop through the back door and remained in the shadows, making her way to a large boulder on the edge of the thick tree line. Once there, she crouched and peered from behind it to watch. What was this prowler up to? Had he followed Sarah and Ryder? Or ... had he known that she would end up here? Unless, of course, this had to do with Ryder and not her, or this was a random intruder. Nope. This was a professional. She knew those moves. And she couldn’t underestimate what she would face. She feared she’d brought trouble to Ryder that he hadn’t wanted and might not be prepared for.

The intruder crept around the shop, then pressed his backagainst it. He peered into the night, searching the woods. Looking for her? Did he suspect shewouldn’thide in the structure? Maybe she should have.

Heart pounding, she watched Ryder—she barely saw him as he used the same furtiveness he must have used in countless operations.

Then ... the intruder, who was on the far side and couldn’t have seen Ryder, entered the shop through the side door. Ryder didn’t know she’d left, and he was going into the shop to protect her, to save her. She knew that to her bones. And she had to stop him. To warn him without getting taken out herself.

Time to act. She couldn’t be the reason Ryder got hurt. She doubted he would, but it remained within the realm of possibility. Sarah rushed toward the back door, kicked it open. Gun out, she rolled to the floor and into the shadows to dodge expected gunshots.

From behind, a hand pressed over her mouth. She moved to free herself, then turned her gun on the intruder. He held his hands up in surrender.

He wore a black mask, so she couldn’t make out his face. “Who are you? Who sent you?”

The lights came on. Sarah sensed Ryder’s approach. Not like he could really hide in this space. Only, the thought of him approaching was distraction enough, and the intruder dove through the back door. She took off after him, racing into the woods, but she didn’t know the terrain and it was dark. Without a flashlight she’d end up falling face-first.

As she slowed to give up the fight, Ryder caught her by the waist. Lifted her up and around.

“What are you doing?” She tried to free herself, but his grip was too strong.

“You don’t see it,” he said.

“See what?”

“The ledge. Sarah, calm down. Stop. Look. Give your eyes a few minutes to adjust.”

Only a few steps and she would have stepped onto nothing but abigdrop-off.

“You nearly stepped off a ledge.” He kept his voice down.

“I don’t understand. Where did he go? How did he get away? Did he fall?”

“I don’t have my night-vision goggles on me.” He huffed his frustration. “Let’s get out of here so we’re not a target.”

Ryder maintained a gentle grip on her arm.

“I’m good now, Ryder. I’m not going to fall off a cliff.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “Because I’m fine guiding you.”

“I’m sure.” Yes, she was beyond frustrated the guy got away. He hadn’t tried to harm her. Hadn’t shot at her or stabbed her.

“Suit yourself,” he said. “I know this terrain.”

“Exactly why I want to hire you.”

She followed him as he hiked up the hill to his property. She hadn’t realized that she’d chased the guy this far.