Two men got out of each car, and Cade’s nerves tautened when they told the parents and children to get inside. They were preparing for a battle.
Jane and Bailey waited for his signal. As soon as the door closed behind the small family, Cade placed the rifle in position before taking his shot. One of Carlos’s men fell to the ground. Then Cade was able to bring down another one as the two edged closer to the door. Cade caught sight of one he hadn’t seen try to go around back and cut off their escape.
“Run!” yelled Cade.
Both Jane and Bailey took off. When they did, the soldier moving toward the back took aim to fire at them, but Cade managed to shoot him.
The sound of more cars screeching to a stop clenched his balls. They weren’t going to be able to fight off this many.
While the soldiers began filing out of the Jeeps, Cade managed to fire off another shot, wounding the last of the first four; however, he was trapped inside the house as the other soldiers ran forward. He was about to kiss his ass goodbye when he saw a flash of movement and an explosion sent the men flying in different directions. Cade looked in shock at Jane who was standing out in the open. She had thrown another fucking grenade.
If he lived through this, he was going to fucking check her pockets.
When, instead of running, she reached into her pocket again, the men took off, running for their lives.
Cade also used the opportunity to run, taking down a few more men who had decided it was safer to face a bullet coming in the front door than being outside with Jane.
“Let’s go, Jane!” he yelled as he ran toward her, expecting to hear another explosion at any second.
He stopped when he saw Bailey struggling with one of Carlos’s men. Putting his sights on the man, a child’s cry had him turning. The parents had panicked and left their smallest child outside. Jane was running toward the child standing out in the open.
“Damn it to hell!”
A knife flashed as the soldier fighting Bailey decided he’d had enough of her struggles. Jane had a rifle pointed at her by another determined to bring her down. Cade only had a split second to make his decision on which one to save.
Pointing his rifle, he fired.
Chapter 11
“Stop!” The sharp order came from the man coming to a halt in a Jeep.
“Raul!” Bailey screamed as she stepped over the body of the man Cade had just killed.
Jane jumped for the small child, picking him up from the ground.
“Drop your weapon!” Raul ordered Cade.
Left with no choice, he dropped his rifle onto the ground as Jane handed the crying toddler to his father who had come running from their house.
“Raul!” As Bailey attempted to throw herself into his arms, the back of his hand sent her flying backward. Shocked, she held her hand to her face.
“You stupid whore.” Raul took a step toward his wife, who backed away fearfully.
“Don’t you dare!” Jane started to move toward her sister yet was held back by one of the soldiers.
Raul’s cold eyes glared at her. “You’re just as useless as your sister,” he snarled. “If not for your father’s money, I would never have touched her.”
“Raul…” Bailey pleaded.
“Shut up with your whining. I’ve heard enough over the last few weeks.” Raul turned from her and strode toward Cade, ordering, “Tie them up and put them in the cars”
As one of the soldiers struck Cade with the butt of his rifle, Jane winced, crying out. The soldier didn’t hesitate as he threw her to the ground. One tried to take her backpack, and Jane attempted to jerk it away. She kept his attention focused on trying to tug the backpack away while she reached behind her back for the knife she had slipped into her jeans. Jerking hard on the strap, the soldier was slightly off balance, and Jane used his forward momentum to stab him, stepping to the side, before she tossed his gun to Cade.
Mayhem erupted.
“Run, Bailey!” Jane took off running toward an outcropping of rocks that weren’t too far away. Bailey took one look at Raul’s face and started fleeing.
“Don’t shoot!” Raul’s order shocked Jane, but she figured that, as hostages, they would be useless dead. Her father would demand proof of life before he would pay any ransom. Jane heard gunfire behind her yet didn’t turn back to see how Cade was doing.
They managed to make it to the rock where they dropped down behind one to catch their breath.
“I hate you! This is all your fault!”
“Will … you … please … be quiet before they find us?” Jane said.
“I had a happy marriage before you showed up! You can fucking die for all I care.” Bailey lowered her head to the rock and cried.