They both tumbled onto the wooden deck of the slip.

The bundle fell from the mercenary’s arms.

I lunged forward, dropping my rifle to the grass.

My hands slid over the wet wood as I caught Lila before she could hit the planks.

I pulled her into my arms, wrapping my coat around her shivering body.

“I have you,” I whispered, pressing my cheek against her wet hair. “I have you, Lila.”

She did not cry.

She only held onto my collar with her small, cold fingers.

My mother stepped closer, her face illuminated by the bright high beams of the SUV.

“We have to move,” my mother said, her voice shaking but firm. “Caleb has more men coming from the northern ridge.”

Daniel emerged from the trees behind her, his handgun drawn.

“Nora is still inside the main house,” Daniel said, his breath coming in ragged gasps. “She locked herself in the pantry, but they are trying to break the door.”

I looked down at Lila, then up at my mother.

There were a thousand questions in my mind, but they would have to wait.