Page 104 of Deadly Target (Rocky Mountain Courage 2)

“If this is my fault, I’m so sorry.”

“There’s no point in playing the blame game.”

“You said your father killed someone. Who did he kill that would warrant them to go through this much trouble to find you?”

Mom sighed heavily as they approached one end of the tunnel, where the tracks led out into the open. Light from a dusky night spilled in, so Mom turned off her flashlight. She didn’t leave the tunnel but instead remained in the shadows and sat on old, cracked concrete steps. “Let’s take a break before the next phase of our escape.” She glanced at her watch.

Erin sat next to her.

“A rival family’s son.” Mom turned to look Erin in the eyes. “The night I left, I knew I would never see my father again.”

Absorbing everything, understanding, would take Erin time—and maybe some distance from the situation. Her heart still pounded, and adrenaline coursed through her. For too many days now she had felt on edge, and she might have reached her limit. Anxiety gripped her.

“What’s the next phase of the plan? Just wait here? It’s getting dark.”

“Exactly.”

So Mom was waiting for nightfall. They sat in silence until the tunnel was well and truly dark, but Erin could still see the moonlit night at each end of the tunnel carved through the mountain.

Something bumped against Erin’s leg and she yelped.

“It’s only a rat,” Mom said.

Only a rat?

Erin quickly stood. When she lifted her gaze, a sound drew her attention to the closest end of the tunnel.

Three figures stepped into view.

“Uh ... Mom?”

Her mother rose slowly. “Erin, get behind me,” she whispered.

Terror coursed through her at the familiar sound of a round being chambered next to her. Mom had a gun ready and waiting. Just in case.

“Is there another gun in that bag for me?” she whispered.

The three men continued forward.

“Take one more step, and I’m going to shoot,” Mom said, but with much less bravado than earlier. What had changed?

“Run, Erin,” Mom whispered.

“I’m not leaving without you.”

“Who said I wasn’t coming too? Run!”

Erin turned and ran toward the other end of the tunnel, their only escape. Mom shot at the men. More gunfire echoed against the stone walls. Would she feel the pain of a bullet in her back at any moment? Or be killed instantly? She thought to glance back at her mother but heard her breaths at her heels.

“Keep going. Head for the woods,” Mom said between gasps.

Gunshots erupted right behind her.

Erin gulped for air as she pushed her limbs harder and faster, attempting not to stumble on the uneven ground running parallel to the tracks. Erin longed for that flashlight. They’d left the duffel bag behind.

She dashed out into the open. Someone grabbed her in a stranglehold, choking her.

He grunted, then released her. Erin turned. Mom stood over him with the butt of her weapon raised.

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