It slid in halfway and stopped.

“Come on,” I whispered, tears of frustration stinging my eyes. “Please.”

I forced it, twisting the key with all my might.

The metal groaned, and then, with a sharp snap, the lock clicked open.

I pulled the chain free and pushed the heavy iron gate.

It shrieked on its hinges, swinging outward into the wet grass.

I stumbled out into the cold rain, the wind whipping my hair across my face.

The storm was howling now, bending the trees at the edge of the Romano estate.

Behind me, the guard burst through the gate, his boots splashing into the wet grass.

“Nowhere left to run, girl,” he panted, his gun raised.

I backed away toward the tree line, my boots sinking into the mud.

The baby blankets were already getting soaked, and the twins were shivering against my chest.

The guard took a step toward me, his finger tightening on the trigger.

Then, a dark shape dropped from the brick wall above the tunnel exit.

The figure slammed into the guard, sending both of them crashing into the wet earth.