Page 78 of Cowboy Elite 2: Mike

And then, distant but unmistakable, the sound of glass breaking.

Heather appeared in the kitchen doorway, Charlotte in her arms, face pale but voice steady. "Safe room. Now."

They moved through the dark house with practiced efficiency, feeling their way along walls they'd memorized earlier. The safe room was an old pantry that had been reinforced. Steel door, satellite phone, water and supplies for three days if necessary.

Heather ushered Charlotte inside first, then Liv.

"Lock it behind me," Heather said. "Don't open it for anyone except me, Lyle, or Mike. And only if they give you the password."

"Where are you going?" Liv asked.

"To make sure those bastards regret showing up on my property." Heather's smile was sharp, feral. "I'm a Texan, honey. We don't run from trouble. We meet it at the door with a smile and a shotgun. I’m counting on you to stay here and take care of my girl."

The door swung shut. Liv threw the deadbolt, heard it slide home with a solid thunk.

Then they waited.

Charlotte pressed against Liv's side, lamb clutched tight, breathing fast but steady. Liv wrapped both arms around her, one hand moving to the pistol Mike had insisted she carry.

Her hands were shaking.

She made them stop.

From somewhere in the house she heard shouting. Heavy footsteps. The unmistakable crack of a gunshot, high and sharp, probably a rifle. Kenny on the roof, she hoped.

More shouting. A crash, like furniture being overturned.

Charlotte whimpered softly.

"Shh, baby. We're okay. We're safe here." Liv's voice was steadier than she felt. "Remember what Uncle Mike said? This room is like a castle. Nothing gets through these walls."

"But what about Uncle Lyle? And Aunt Heather?"

This little girl had lost one set of parents. Liv could hardly imagine the fright she was experiencing now.

"They're fighters, remember? They're going to be fine."

Please, God, let them be fine.

Footsteps in the hallway outside. Heavy. Deliberate. Not Mike's familiar tread or Lyle's quick step.

Someone else.

The doorknob rattled.

Liv raised the pistol, sighting on the door, hands steadier now. If they came through, if they somehow breached that steel door, she wouldn't hesitate.

Not with Charlotte depending on her.

But the footsteps moved on. Fading down the hallway toward the office.

They sat in darkness, listening to the chaos of violence playing out beyond their fortress walls, and Liv prayed harder than she'd ever prayed in her life.

Mike hit the first intruder three steps inside the broken window.

The man went down hard. Tactical vest, night vision goggles, professional gear. Former military, Mike assessed in the split second before his fist connected with the man's jaw. Probably ex-special forces hired for exactly this kind of operation.

The second man appeared behind him, weapon raised.