I gently turned her head away, forcing her to look at me instead.

“We have to move,” Ryker said, reaching down to lift Owen into his arms.

Owen didn’t resist, clinging to Ryker’s neck while keeping a tight grip on his bear.

“Can you run?” Ryker asked, looking directly at me.

“Yes,” I said, taking Lily’s hand.

“Keep low, and do not stop for anything,” he ordered.

We slipped out of the wine cellar and into the narrow concrete passage.

The air here was thicker, filled with the drifting gray haze of gunsmoke.

Ryker led the way, his rifle raised and ready, his movements fluid and silent.

We reached a heavy metal door at the end of the tunnel that led to the underground garage.

Before Ryker could touch the handle, a heavy volley of gunfire erupted on the other side.

Bulleted choked the metal door, creating dented craters in the steel.

Ryker threw himself backward, shielding Owen with his body.

I grabbed Lily and pulled her down onto the concrete floor, covering her head.

“They’ve blocked the garage,” Ryker hissed, his voice tight.