Page 41 of Gilded Dreams

Yeah, I wish I hadn’t even thought of the question because I don’t like the answer.

I learn fast it’s nothing accidental, and we are not alone on our side of the lake.

Hailing bullets ricochet off the stainless-steel countertop and hanging cast iron skillets. Sharp brown eyes pierce mine and the second I turn to meet Atlas’s gaze I see the man turn into warrior mode.

Ryder and Brogan are already pulling on their pants. The glow of the fire is the only source of light we have and it’s fighting for its life in the whirling winds as much as we are.

Brogan tosses clothes at me, and I don’t ask where or how they got them. The dryer maybe? I just shove my feet into a pair of jeans and button up one of Brogan’s shirts. Forget a bra.

Beside me I find a pair of fuzzy slippers and put my toes into them. It’s fiercely cold and I blame that for why my fingers tremble over the buttons.

Atlas takes over and helps me after finding his own pants. None of them have shoes or shirts and there’s glass everywhere.

“This way,” he bellows over the rushing winds. Thinking we are all going to safety I follow. But the second I turn around I see I’m being pushed into a laundry room where without the fire it’s darker and colder.

Nah. This Texan chick doesn’t huddle and cower.

“Fuck you, Atlas. Give me a gun. You have my back. I have yours.”

Shadows hide his expression, but the silhouette of his locked stance can be seen just fine. He actually thinks he’s going to win this. I shove at him, and Ryder comes up from behind with weapons I never saw unloaded from the SUV in hand.

“Where did those come from?”

“Upstairs armory.”

Another wave of bullets and Atlas is moving me deeper inside the laundry room. I shove right back, take a Glock from Ryder, and check the clip for rounds. “I’m tired of running. Hiding. Looking scared. This ends tonight.”

Though I can’t see their eyes I can feel their shock. “Justice and her men take me to target practicing twice a month. They’ve taught me a few things.”

“Remind us to thank them.”

I know if he really wants, Atlas can lock me in this room and I’d never win a battle of strength. I guess I’m lucky enough to have men willing to listen to me.

“Keep the gun but stay here. You see anyone who isn’t us, shoot. Follow our instructions and you’ll be safe. We have to put out the fire before it spreads.”

“But make sure it’snotus.”

“Then don’t leave me alone and I won’t mistake you for someone else.”

Ryder chuckles a dark-sounding laugh. “Stay here. You’ll be safe. We’ll be right back.” And true to their nature, they slip soundlessly into the night.

I take stock of my surroundings. Something I should have done when I first arrived.

Flashlight. There’s nothing in the laundry room so I head to the kitchen.

“There you are, you whoring bitch. It didn’t take long to get them away from you. Pathetic.”

I whirl around to face someone just as they step into the kitchen. With no window in the frame reaching in and unlocking it was just a pesky nuisance.

I pull my gun, aim down the barrel. Only the snow in my eyes doesn’t let me get a good aim. Fake it till you make it. “I swear I will shoot you. Get away from me.” I pop off a warning shot. “The next one goes in your head.”

“Right. You don’t have a mean bone in your body. No way you’ll shoot me.”

The shadowed attacker lunges across the kitchen and I fling the boiling pot of soup in his face.

I look around for some source of light when I find a cell phone. My heart is in my throat and my fingers are near freezing. Asshole extraordinaire is screaming and on his knees. This is my only chance.

I flick on the screen and tap the flashlight app.

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