She needed a better vantage point. The cabin's second floor had a small loft with windows facing the approach road. If she could get up there without being seen, she'd have a decent firing position.
Moving silently, she made her way to the stairs, wincing at every creak of the wooden floor. The loft ladder was pulled up, a security measure Blade had implemented before leaving. She reached for it, then froze as voices drifted through an open window.
"...sure this is the place?" one was saying.
"Positive," replied another. "GPS coordinates match exactly. This is Blade's cabin."
"Doesn't look like anyone's home," a third voice observed.
"They're here," the leader insisted. "Or they will be soon. Zeb said Blade went to rescue his buddy at the hunting cabin. He'll be coming back here for the girl."
"And what's so special about this chick anyway?" the first voice asked. "Why not just put a bullet in her and be done with it?"
"Because Zeb wants her alive," the leader replied sharply. "Our job is to deliver, not ask questions. Now get into position. Iwant eyes on every approach. When Blade returns, we take him out fast, then secure the girl."
They're going to kill him,Lily realized with horror.They're going to ambush him the moment he returns, then take me to Zeb.
She couldn't let that happen. Wouldn't let that happen.
With renewed determination, she pulled down the loft ladder as quietly as possible and climbed up. The small space was dusty and cramped, but offered an excellent view of the front yard and the road beyond. She set up the rifle, nestling the stock against her shoulder just as her father had taught her.
Through the scope, she counted five men total. All armed with handguns, at least two with rifles. The leader, the weathered man she'd seen first, was clearly giving the orders, positioning the others strategically around the cabin.
Too many to take on directly,she thought grimly.But maybe enough to scare off if I can create some confusion.
Her mind raced, considering options. She could try to pick them off one by one, but she wasn't confident enough in her marksmanship for headshots. And if she missed, they'd know exactly where she was.
She needed a distraction. Something to scatter them, to give her a chance to escape or at least to warn Blade somehow.
Her eyes fell on the propane tank at the side of the cabin. A risky move, but potentially effective. If she could rupture it with a shot, the escaping gas might create enough of a diversion for her to slip away and try to intercept Blade before he drove into the trap.
It was dangerous. Reckless, even. But staying put meant certain death for Blade and a fate potentially worse than death for herself.
She took a deep breath, steadying her aim on the propane tank's valve assembly. One good shot should do it. Then she'dneed to move fast down the ladder, out the back door, into the woods before they could regroup.
Her finger tightened on the trigger.
Then she paused, a new thought surfacing.The satellite phone.She might still be able to reach Blade or Savage. Warn them of the ambush without putting herself at risk.
But the phone was back in the safe room. She'd need to retreat, abandoning her vantage point and potentially losing track of the men's positions.
Damn it.
A sudden movement outside caught her attention. Through the scope, she saw the leader checking his watch, then speaking into a radio. Receiving a message, perhaps?
Then he smiled a cold, predatory smile that sent chills down her spine.
"Heads up," he called to the others. "Target is five minutes out. Get ready."
No. No, no, no.
Blade was almost here. Five minutes. Not enough time to get back to the safe room, call him, and hope he answered. Not enough time for anything but direct action.
Decision made, Lily adjusted her aim. Not the propane tank. It was too risky with Blade so close. Instead, she focused on the leader's position. If she could take him out, the others might be disorganized enough for Blade to recognize the danger when he arrived.
She steadied her breathing, finger poised on the trigger. The leader was partially concealed behind a tree, only his shoulder and part of his head visible. A difficult shot, but possible.
Just like the shooting range with Dad,she told herself.Breathe in. Hold. Squeeze gently.
