Page 43 of Covert Past

While she tried to wrap her head around it, more shots coming from the back of the house had Boone grabbing her and tugging her to a safer spot.

At the front of the house, the fire blazed.

“It won’t take those flames long to engulf the house,” Declan said, watching as the front window shattered under the intense heat. “They’re waiting to pick us off out back. If we stay, the smoke will get us.” He pointed to the stairs. “The attic. There’s a window.”

The suggestion did nothing to settle Ellie’s fears, but it might be their only chance.

Keeping low, Declan lowered the ladder leading to the attic. He went up first and then, with the help of Boone, got Eli up.

“You go next.” Boone waited while she climbed the rungs before starting up.

More windows blew with the heat. Boone reached the attic and shut the door.

“We don’t have much time,” Boone warned.

Declan hurried to the side of the window and looked down. “I don’t see anyone down there. This window faces the side of the house. I’m hoping they’re watching the back.”

Ellie looked below. “That’s quite a drop. I realize we don’thave a choice, but there’s a real chance someone will break a leg.”

Declan actually smiled. “We’ll use this.” A rope ladder had been tucked beneath the window. He unlocked the window and shoved at it until it lifted.

Down below, the back door of the kitchen gave way under the weight of someone throwing their body against it.

“We’re out of time. They’re breaching the house.” Declan tossed the ladder down and climbed over the windowsill. “I’ll go first. Eli, can you make it with your shoulder?”

“I can make it.”

Ellie watched as Declan descended the ladder and worried there’d be men waiting below to take him out.

Declan reached the ground. Eli headed down.

So far so good.

“Search the entire house.” An accented voice yelled over the roaring fire, which was gaining strength.

“Go, Ellie. They’ll see the attic door soon enough. Hurry. I’m going to try and secure the door.” Boone helped her over the side and then disappeared from her line of sight.

Ellie hesitated. She didn’t want to leave him.

While she hesitated, Boone’s face appeared above her again. “Hurry, Ellie.”

Relieved, she rushed down the rope rungs as fast as she could. When she was close to the ground, Boone followed. A crashing noise from above confirmed their attackers had found the door to the attic.

Ellie jumped the rest of the way down and waited while Boone traversed the ladder.

Before he reached the ground, several men appeared in the window above.

“Boone!” she called, grabbing his attention. “Watch out.”

His head jerked back to the window. One of the men fired his weapon. Boone grabbed his side and half climbed, half fell the rest of the way down.

Ellie rushed forward to catch him, his weight almost taking herto the ground.

The men above them continued to shoot.

“We’ve got to go. Now.” Declan helped Boone out of the line of fire while Ellie returned shots.

The two men ducked back.

---