Page 183 of Beautifully Reckless

“Help!” I scream, the barn and house coming into view as I reach the top of the hill. “Help!”

By the time I scurry over the rise, Brody and Tucker come crashing out of the barn, guns raised, their eyes scanning as they assess the situation.

“Men!” I yell, pointing over my shoulder. “There are men coming!”

Gunfire explodes through the air, but not from the ridge. It’s coming from the direction of the front gate.

“Get her inside!” Tucker bellows over another clap of thunder, and I practically dive into Brody’s arms, never more grateful to see him.

“Lock it down!” The yell blasts from the mouth of the driveway, and I gasp as Stoner comes sprinting from the treeline, turning mid-run to fire shots back into the dark.

Time, as I know it, slows.

Every gunshot is a heartbeat.

Every pop sparks a flash in the dark treeline.

Every step Stoner takes backwards looks like lead is weighing on his feet.

Then… he jerks, arms throwing wide as he flies backwards, his body slamming into the dirt with a loud thud.

“Abbey! Get in here!”

Time speeds up, my hearing returns tenfold, Alana’s scream reaching me over the chaos.

Yanking on my arm, Brody drags me towards the steps of the house.

I don’t even realise I’m crying until hot tears blur my vision, making it hard to see. I stumble up the steps, watching as Millie helps Jols load up with guns, like my new friend is planning on fighting.

“N-no. J-Jols. You can’t go out there.”

Hurrying to me, she presses her lips to my cheek. “This is what I’m trained for, Abbey. Now get inside and stay safe. It’sgonna be okay.”

Her calm confidence does nothing to make me feel better as Alana grabs my arm from Brody, before he follows Jols back out into the rain.

I don’t even get the chance to protest before I’m dragged inside, the door slamming shut as Alana secures the lock.

My hands cradle my bump, trembling, as I stagger into the dark living room where Millie stands by the kitchen counter.

I frown, blinking past my tears at howoffthe kitchen looks right now.

The benchtop is pushed back, light glowing from where it had been, revealing a set of stairs leading down into a basement.

“Come on. We have to get you and Ma into the panic room,” Alana rushes out as she drags me.

I stumble beside her, feeling like I’ve stepped straight into the twilight zone.

Is this real? Is all of this really happening?

“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you safe,” Doreen says with a warm smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

She’s scared.

“The shutters!” Alana calls to Millie as I move deeper into the room, and a loud burst of gunfire just outside the house freezes us all.

Millie is the first to move, dashing to a panel on the wall, frantically flicking a switch.

“Shit! The shutters aren’t wor—” Millie’s voice cuts off, snagging our attention to see her slowly lifting her hands as the barrel of a gun presses to her head.

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