Page 71 of Auctioned to the Devil

The second man hears something.

Turns.

Too late.

My fist catches his jaw.

He hits the wall.

I drive my knee into his stomach and take him to the ground.

He reaches inside his coat.

I grab his wrist.

Twist.

The gun drops.

His scream carries across the yard.

So much for quiet.

The door flies open.

The third man.

I hit him before he clears it.

Once.

Twice.

He swings.

Misses.

I slam him into the doorframe.

He goes down.

Then I hear her.

“Caleb!”

Everything stops.

I turn.

Emily stands inside the building with her wrists bound in front of her.

Hair tangled.

Coat torn.

Blood dried along one cheek.

Alive.