muscles made it difficult to even move. Please, don’t let us be discovered now.
Trying to saunter, she followed the others into the shadows between the two buildings. Gabe thumped on the side of the children’s barracks, and at the rear, Chevy came out the back door.
At last, they reached the opening in the fence where JJ kept watch. Almost to safety. Almost. Chevy edged out, then held the cut chain-link section open for the rest of them.
Bull went next. Kit lay unconscious in his arms, her breathing labored. Frankie’s hands fisted. Caz said her ribs were cracked and broken. If Obadiah’s kick had hit her, she would’ve died.
Bless you, Hawk.
Bull passed Kit to Chevy. “Move fast—and carefully.” The muscular woodworker headed for the forest at a quick, smooth pace.
Get her out, Chevy. Please.
Frankie slipped through the fence and held it as Hawk went through with Aric, clinging like a little monkey, in his arms. She felt a pang, wanting to reassure the child, but it wouldn’t help. He was so young he probably didn’t even remember her.
JJ and Gabe came through, and Gabe leaned forward to tell Hawk, “Move out and catch up with Chevy. Precious cargo.”
“Yeah.” Hawk took off, sliding from shadow to shadow.
Meanwhile, Caz snapped on two padlocks to pull the cut fencing edges together at knee height.
As they all headed for the open area, Frankie took up position just behind Bull.
“Intruders!” A shout shattered the quiet. “Back of the women’s barracks!”
The alarm spread. Men yelled. Ran toward the fence.
“Spread out and get to the forest!” Gabe pushed JJ after Frankie.
Gripping her staff, Frankie tore across the open area, arms pumping, shoulders hunched as if she could make herself a smaller target.
Loud swearing filled the air as the PZs were forced to squirm through the fence opening that’d been constricted by the padlocks.
The crack of gunfire sounded, and terror made Frankie almost drop to the ground.
“Zigzag,” Bull yelled.
She veered right, then left. Bullets hit the ground near her, and dirt sprayed up. Zig. A tree in the forest splintered. Zag. Don’t be predictable. She lunged left again. A sharp sound came from her right as a bullet hit a rock.
On one side, Gabe cursed, staggered, and ran again. Ahead of them, JJ reached the forest. Off to the left, Caz disappeared into the undergrowth.
Even as Frankie picked a possible opening, it felt as if a staff had whipped across her back flank. Staggering, she plunged into the foliage, arms up to protect her eyes as branches whipped against her clothing. A second later, someone followed almost on her heels.
She spun, jo rising.
“Run,” Bull snapped.
Oh, thank God.
She ran again.
From the forest across from the watchtower—where none of the rescuers were—the recording of Gabe’s warning boomed out over the gunfire.
The PZs stopped shooting to listen.
“Patriot Zealots, we broke into your compound to free a woman who was held against her will. The women with us requested to leave. Be warned, you are now off your property and on public land. If you attack, we will defend ourselves—and then press charges with the law.”
Frankie glanced back long enough to see some PZs break off and head for what they’d think was a person rather than a recording. Hah!
A couple more slowed as if unsure whether to continue. Good!
Unfortunately, the rest kept on at a full run.
“Veer right” came Bull’s instructions.
Thank heaven he knew where he was going. She angled that direction, tripping over the roots and stubby bushes. She dodged a low branch and…oh, no. She’d actually seen the branch. Could make out the trees in the shadowy forest gloom. The skies were lightening, and dawn would arrive in an hour or so. The rescue had taken longer than they’d planned.
Bull turned, heading another direction. From the myriad of boot marks in the dirt, she knew they’d reached the trail used on the way in. A minute later, Gabe limped out of the forest onto the trail. Two other dark forms resolved into Caz with JJ, who had her left hand clamped over her right upper arm.
“Caz, set the trip line,” Gabe said quietly. “Everyone else, keep going.”
Frankie glanced back, seeing Caz at a tree, pulling the pre-attached wire tight. Anyone moving fast would hit the taut, shin-high wire and fall.
The PZs were approaching fast. She could hear branches breaking, angry yells and curses.
Frankie sped up, running right on Bull’s heels.
Behind them, someone yelled in pain, then there were a bunch of yelps and curses. A gun fired. More moans.
A man