Page 78 of Secrets in Calusa Cove

It had been eight minutes since Paul, Benson, James, or Eliot had come through the hut door. Dawson believed they were moving their base of operation to another location based on the fact they were placing dynamite around the cabin.

She wondered if that was how they planned on killing them, but that would be stupid. It would leave evidence. That was, if anyone came back this far on Coonts Island.

It would be better to feed them to a python or gator.

Mo turned. “Yeah?”

“As soon as someone comes through that door, I’m going to overpower you, and Audra is going for the last of those weapons. Are you good with that plan?” Dawson asked.

“I am.” Mo nodded.

“Keep that small pistol tucked in your waistband in case you need it, and don’t be afraid to use it. I don’t want to have to tell Anna you died a hero. If these jerks don’t kill me, she will.”

Mo actually chuckled. It was a nice sound cutting through the massive rain pellets landing on the roof.

Dawson cut his feet free and then Audra’s. He lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “You protect yourself. If you have to pull the trigger, do it. I don’t say that lightly, but?—”

She stopped him with a kiss. “I will defend myself and you. Don’t you worry about that. I’m not dying out here today.”

He grinned. “That’s my girl.”

Now that had a really nice ring to it. Audra’s heart warmed. Before she could respond, the door opened, and James stepped in.

God, she hated that man. He reminded her of a snake oil salesman—and not even a very good one.

Dawson lunged for Mo, who stumbled backward, dropping his weapon.

“What the hell?” A stunned James stood dead in his tracks like a deer in headlights. He didn’t react. Not at all, giving her a chance to bolt forward, snagging Mo’s weapon.

She turned, swinging it swiftly across James’ face. Metal connected with skin and bone. His body lurched to the side and fell to the ground with a thud. Blood ran from his mouth and cheek.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have a chance to find the plastic cuffs before Eliot raced through the doors.

“What the hell is going on in here?” Eliot asked, holding his weapon at the ready.

“Don’t move,” Dawson pointing a semiautomatic at Eliot’s chest.

Audra quickly found a zip tie and slapped it around James’s wrists, shoving him to the side. Then, with a little less gusto and more room around the arms, she put one around Mo’s wrists. She stared into his eyes and tried to apologize with a glance.

He lowered his lids as if to accept.

It would only be like this until either Dawson’s team got here or they completely overpowered everyone on the island.

The only issue with the latter was that they really didn’t know how many people were there.

Eliot’s eyes shifted as if to assess his options.

Two to one, currently.

Audra inched closer. “Hand it over, asshat.” She shifted her weapon, holding it inches from his temple. “I’m not afraid to blow your brains out.” She narrowed her stare. “Around these parts, I’m considered an Owl Witch. By day, I’m a?—”

“I’ve heard the stupid stories.”

She laughed. “Who said they’re stories?” She made a very realistic hooting noise. One she’d learned as a small child. One that she used to make people go away.

Eliot handed over his weapon. “This little coup of yours isn’t going to last very long. The second?—”

“Don’t think. We wouldn’t want you to hurt your brain.” Dawson literally piled Eliot on top of James but held Mo by the elbow. “Where are Paul and Benson?”

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