Page 212

Empty.

Thank God.

Straight to the closet.

Bottom drawer.

The false panel exactly where he showed me.

Just in case. His words echoed.

My fingers shook so violently I missed it the first time. “Come on…”

I tried again.

The panel released.

Cold steel waited beneath it.

I wrapped my hand around the grip.

Heavy.

Familiar.

Don’t point it unless you’re prepared to use it.

BOOM.

The entire house shuddered. The front door slammed so violently against the wall the sound ripped through every room.

I cried out.

Instinct took over.

The magazine.

I gripped the slide and yanked.

Metal snapped forward with a brutal crack.

Loaded.

My breathing shattered.

Footsteps.

Not one pair.

There were more.

Heavy.

Fast.

Every instinct screamed.

He’s here.