Page 84 of Lawless Rivals

Shay fires first, and I dart sideways, taking cover behind the barn door.

There’s a loud burst of gunfire, and bullets hit the outside of the barn, splintering wood inches from the doorway.

I stumble into the aisle and look out, heart hammering so hard I can hear it in my ears.

Outside, Sera sprints across the yard and disappears into the feed room, only to burst back out with a rifle braced against her shoulder.

She doesn’t even think twice about pulling the trigger. The rifle kicks once, and she blows out their windshield.

It all happens so fast. One man near the SUV spins and takes a shot at her and misses. Shay aims, shoots, and clips the guy’s shoulder. He collapses against the hood, and his blood goes everywhere.

The yard erupts into chaos.

Horses grow restless in their stalls. Hooves scrape and whinnies grow louder.

I press myself against the wall, panic clawing up my throat.

My legs move before my brain catches up. I bolt down the aisle and shove the tack room door open, heading straight in.

Saddles and bridles crowd the walls on racks. There’s nowhere for me to hide other than behind the door.

My hands shake as I fumble through metal buckets and plastic tubs, searching for something heavy to defend myself with if I have to.

There’s a discarded farrier’s wrench near the lunge ropes. I grab it and turn toward the door, adrenaline pumping hard.

Outside, there’s shouting and more gunfire.

I peer around the door at the same time as a hand slams over my mouth.

My scream dies against a gloved palm. An arm locks around my chest, and I’m dragged against a solid body.

“Easy,” a male murmurs close to my ear.

My muscles lock. I know that voice.

“No need to fight me, Keira.”

Riley angles me into him and drags the balaclava off his head so I can see his clean-shaven face under the barn lights.

Relief hits first. He’s one of my father’s trusted men.

However, dread follows. I know what he’s capable of.

“It’s okay,” he mutters, tightening his grip as gunfire cracks outside again. “Your da sent us.”

His eyes flick toward the yard, and his hand drops away.

“You’re coming home with me,” he orders.

“How did you know I was here?”

“We didn’t,” he replies. “We just don’t trust the Tallons and their bullshit.”

“Is that why you didn’t come for me sooner? I’ve been here for days.”

Riley’s gaze drifts up to the right as he considers his response. But that beat of thought says it all.

My father is playing the game. And I’m just a piece on the board.