Page 33 of Two Steps Ahead

Hearing that she trusted him was a balm to his nerves, and as she came over to stand next to him, her closeness soothed him more. She was alive. She was safe.

He would make sure it stayed that way.

“No.” Jasper crossed his huge arms over his chest.

“I’m not asking your permission, Jasper. Weston’s right. I can make my own choices.” Kayleigh turned to Leo. “I need protection, fine. Weston can do that.”

“I agree,” Leo said. “But I think separating may not be a good idea. There are things I need to explain about—”

A shrill alarm broke off his argument. Everyone froze, looking at each other, trying to determine what was going on. Weston grabbed Kayleigh’s arm and pulled her closer.

Jasper snatched the walkie-talkie from his belt. “Report.”

A few seconds later, multiple grainy voices filled the room, talking on top of each other. Weston couldn’t make out a lot of what they were saying but one word he definitely understood.

Fire.

Jasper snatched a tablet off the desk and pulled up the security feed.

“Sir, we’ve got a fire in the east section of the house.”

Weston took Kayleigh’s hand. The east section of the house was near her bedroom.

“What caused it?” Leo asked.

Jasper rushed to the door. “I’ll let you know as soon as I—”

An explosion rocked the room and the windows shattered around the office. Weston spun, wrapping himself around Kayleigh, lowering them both to the floor.

They could hear more explosions and shattering windows all over the property.

They were under attack.

Jasper rushed over to Leo and Gwendolyn and pulled them away from the windows. Reports were screeching from his radio now.

Leo turned to Gwendolyn. “Get all the staff out of the house.”

The older woman looked around at them nervously, twisting her hands like she didn’t want to go. “But, sir, what about—”

“We’ll get out. Jasper, go with her. Do it now!”

Jasper looked like he also wanted to argue, but Leo had already turned away, moving low and quickly toward Weston and Kayleigh.

“Dad, we can’t stay here,” Kayleigh said, still under Weston’s arm. “We need to get out too.”

More explosions, and now smoke was filling the hall beyond the door.

“Can you get her out?” Leo asked Weston.

Kayleigh shook her head. “No way. We’re not leaving without you.”

Leo cupped his daughter’s cheeks. “I’ll leave, I promise. But I need you to go first. Like you said, Weston will keep you safe. Once I know no one can get to you, I’ll do what I need to do.”

Kayleigh’s safety was more important to Leo than his own. Weston didn’t know why, but he would make sure she was protected.

She stared at him, shocked and scared. She’d already had a rough day and he hated it was getting worse. But he was damned well going to get her out.

“Okay,” she whispered.

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