Page 71 of Twilight Tactics

Sully sagged back on his heels, exhaling a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

Elena rose, eyes still on Javier. “So, are we clear?”

“For now,” Javier said, joining them. “I’ve covered up the spot so it doesn’t look disturbed just in case they’re checking.” He had the device in a bag and nodded to it. “We’ll take this with us. No sense in leaving it so they can just rearm it.”

“Great,” Maya said. “Now we can get out and go for help.”

14

“If we do it, we need to be sneaky about it,” Elena said. “If they’re watching—and I feel sure they are—then it will tip them off that we’re on to them and may trigger them into a full-blown attack.” She glanced at the bomb. “No pun intended, but we’re not ready for that yet.”

Sully nodded and even Javier looked like he might agree. David joined them.

“Okay, so we’re doing this?” she asked.

“I think so,” Sully said.

“Then let’s go while we can,” Elena said. “If it’s her they’re after, they’ll stop.”

David nodded. “I’ll go with you.”

“No,” Sully said, “you’re needed here. Your guys are here and are looking to you for direction. Piper and I will take Ollie. Elena will come with us.”

She blinked. She would? “I will?”

“We really don’t know who they’re after. You or Ollie. So if we move both of you away from here...”

Right. “But—”

“No buts. Let’s get back to the house and grab Piper andOllie.” He hesitated. “I think that’s the best plan, but if someone has a better one, let’s hear it.”

“I’m not leaving the ranch,” Maya said. “Someone has to stay and take care of the animals.” She paused. “By the time they realize you’re not here, reinforcements should be here.”

“So, this is what we’re doing?” Elena said.

“Yes.” Maya nodded. “I think so.”

“As soon as I have a cell signal, help will be on the way,” Sully said.

“We can hold out that long.”

He nodded to Elena. “Let’s go. Hurry.”

He and Elena jogged toward the cabin, boots thudding against the dirt. Javier, Felicity, and Milo headed in the direction of the kennels. Elena’s pulse thrummed through her veins and the feeling of being watched hounded her. But how? The darkness hid them. Didn’t it?

Please don’t let them have night vision goggles.

They reached the front porch, and Piper threw open the door to step outside. The screen door slammed behind her. “Tell me.”

“It’s disarmed and we need to move now while we can,” Sully said. “I don’t know what’s going on—if it’s Ollie they’re after or what—but something big is getting ready to go down if our prisoner is to be believed.” He shrugged. “And because he was right about the bomb, I’m inclined to believe him. Better safe than sorry at this point.”

“Keys are in the Bronco.” Maya came up behind them. “It’s parked behind the barn.”

He nodded. Ollie stepped outside, backpack slung over her shoulder. “Time to go, huh?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“I’m coming too,” Elena said. “Bring your books. They might help pass the time wherever we end up.”