Page 78 of Cowboy Breaking Point

She straightened to see Lark twisted in the driver’s seat. Even in the dim light coming from the outside lights of the building they’d just exited at warp speed, she saw the concern etched on Lark’s face.

Terror stole through her, and she gripped the seat in front of her. “I need out of here! I have to find Rain!”

“The guys will find your sister, Dove. You can’t go back in there.”

The air whistled in and out of her lungs far too fast. Her face tingled.

“You’re hyperventilating. Shit! Dove, look at me!”

She shifted her gaze at the command, locking them on Lark’s big, beautiful eyes.

Her friend reached around the seat and grasped her by the hand. “Just breathe with me. In…two, three, four…out…two, three, four. Good; again.” They did that over and over again until her body cooperated and she breathed normally.

Exhausted by the episode, she slumped forward, tears bottled in her throat. “My sister… And Quaide. He’s hurt. Bleeding!”

“I heard, but he’s strong and he knows his limits.”

Dove lifted her head. “Do you really believe that?”

Lark folded her lips into a tight line but refused to answer.

“What happened? Can you tell me?” she asked her own question.

Dove closed her eyes, trying to make sense of the order of events. “The house was on fire.”

Lark nodded.

“You ran from our hiding spot to another.”

“But you and Rain didn’t follow,” she supplied.

“That’s right. Someone grabbed me. I can’t remember anything until I woke up in that room.” She shuddered from the top of her head clear to her pinky toes. “Rain said I was out a long time. Then they came in and took her!”

“She’s in there. They’re going to find her, Dove.”

“Do you really believe that!” she half-shrieked, hating the terror in her voice and the fact that she was screaming at her friend.

“Honey, we’re going to get you and Rain out of this mess. You’re going to—”

“What? Live in fear and hide?”

“Quaide won’t let that happen.Sentrywon’t let that happen.”

Her hands shook. So did her insides. She was going to hyperventilate again.

Seeing this, Lark grasped her by the hand again. She clung to the lifeline.

“I can’t do this alone anymore. It’s too much, Lark. I’ve been responsible too long, and I’m so tired of juggling all these balls.”

She squeezed her hand hard. “Then pass them to me, Dove. I’ll help you. You did all you need to do—just admitting that you can’t be in control of every situation and every little thing in life is the most important step.”

Gulping, she nodded.

“The guys will do everything they can to make sure you and Rain are safe and live normal lives.”

“Is Rain ever going to live a normal life? She—” Dove stopped mid-rant.

Rain had winked at her right before that man took her away.

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