Page 95 of Asher's Assignment
With another quick look around the room, Asher backed toward Leah’s cot. Everything looked as it had when the man left.
The voice grew louder. But there was something new. A softer, higher-pitched voice. Then another joined in, rising over the other two. This one he recognized.
“Goddammit,” he whispered. What the hell was she doing here? If she’d let herself get captured to rescue them, they would have words later. Lots of words. She was a teacher; not a cop or a bodyguard or any other profession that lent itself to rescuing people.
The bolts holding the basement door in place clacked and scraped. A moment later, a shaft of light came down the stairs.
“You two.” Their captor’s voice carried down the steps. “Get up here. And don’t try anything.”
Leah looked at Asher with round eyes. “I don’t want to go up there.”
“I know, but we need to. This is our chance. Stay close and do what I tell you, okay?”
She caught her lip between her teeth and nodded.
He helped her off the bed, then took her hand, leading her toward the steps. Their captor stood at the top, a pistol clutched in his right hand.
Cautiously, Asher mounted the stairs. Two from the top, he paused. “You want to back up so we can come out?”
The man took a step to the side. “Move.” He flicked the gun.
Asher moved Leah to his other side, putting himself between her and the man as they cleared the doorway.
“Mom!” Leah broke free from Asher’s grip and dashed across the kitchen to the platinum blonde standing handcuffed next to Esther.
“Leah!” The woman looped her arms over Leah’s head. A sob ripped from her chest as she clutched her daughter.
Asher only watched them for a moment before turning his gaze to Esther. She looked no worse for wear. In fact, a low anger simmered in her bright blue eyes.
“That’s enough,” the man said. “Leah, come away from her.”
Leah shook her head and tucked it into Connie’s chest. She held Connie tighter around the waist.
“I said, come here.”
Again, Leah shook her head.
“You will listen to me! I am your father.”
Leah froze. Asher’s eyes widened. What? He’d considered the possibility, but not hard. Suddenly, many things made sense.
Slowly, Leah lifted her head to look at her mom.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Connie said, her voice cracking. “It’s true.”
“No. No, my daddy’s name is Rob.”
Connie’s hand fisted in Leah’s shirt, and she closed her eyes. A tear leaked free. “It’s complicated, sweetie. But Bradley’s right. He’s your dad.” She aimed a glare at him. “As much as I wish he wasn’t.”
The hammer cocked on the gun as Bradley drew it back. He pointed it at Asher. “Get her away from Lindy.”
A ball formed in Asher’s chest, pushing on his heart. He did not want to rip that girl away from her mother.
“You’re of little use to me now, Mr. Horn. I won’t hesitate to kill you if you don’t cooperate.”
Asher sent him a deadly glare. Two steps. That’s all it would take to put him within swinging range of Bradley’s face. But he couldn’t risk the man accidentally firing his gun. There were too many people in the confined space.
He turned to Leah and held out an arm. “Leah, honey, come stand with me. Just for a bit.” He looked at Connie, silently pleading with her to urge Leah to let go.
