Page 236 of Savior

“That last part was aimed very specifically at y’all.”

Ruckus looked offended. “I feel profiled.”

“You should,” Rook told him.

Riot almost smiled. Almost. Then he pointed toward Mom. “Sunshine, you’ve got the rear. Back door, pool side, woods.”

She nodded once. “Got it.”

“Marion, cut between the houses and the side gate.”

Marion was already checking her radio. “Got it.”

Dad looked at the brothers. “Now listen. Chief—”

The first shot cracked through the morning.

Everything changed.

Declan hit me hard around the waist and took me down behind the couch.

Someone shouted.

Not in fear.

Direction.

“Rear!” Rook called.

Another shot came from farther right.

“Second position!” Dad barked.

The room emptied into motion.

Not chaos.

Training.

Mom dropped behind the kitchen wall and moved toward the rear of the house. Marion disappeared low toward the side hall. Riot went for the back. Rook and Ruckus split toward the garage side while Clayton caught Micah by the shoulder and pulled him away from the front glass. I lost track of Ben in the movement.

Declan stayed over me until Dad shouted, “Move her off the glass!”

Declan hauled me up.

I drew as I came up, keeping the muzzle down and away from Declan.

Another rifle cracked outside.

Wood splintered somewhere.

Declan shoved me against the interior wall. “Stay on me.”

I did.

My radio burst alive. Mom’s voice came first, controlled and fast. “Rear camera’s black.”

Dad answered from somewhere across the house. “Feed dead?”