Emma wretches and throws up. I turn and pull her hair behind her head with one hand, steadying her with the other arm so she doesn’t go fully to the ground.
“Oh, honey, you’re going to need a stronger stomach. Grab her,” Heath orders his men.
Two armed men come forward.
“Touch her, and I’ll put you down.”
“Do that, and I’ll just put a bullet in you now. Save me some effort.” Heath raises his gun again, this time aiming it at me. I genuinely consider taking the risk.
“Just let me go, Dylan,” Emma chokes out. “Please. No more bloodshed.”
I consider fighting our way out of here. They can’t all fire at the same time, right? If I can get to the guy on the right?—
No matter what happens, my fighting now will only result in Emma being left alone. So I swallow my anger and release her. One of the guards lifts her and steps away from me, going to stand near Heath.
“Muzzle the mutt,” he tells one of his men.
“No. You are not touching my dog.”
Delta growls.
Once again, Heath aims his firearm at me. “Are you thick in the skull? You don’t hold the cards here, cowboy. Now, let them muzzle the mutt, or I’ll decide to adopt rather than take yours.”
Do I even have a choice?
God, why is this happening? Lord, be with us.
“Sitz, Delta.” He takes a seat, and a man comes forward with a muzzle. Delta lets loose a warning growl. “Let me do it, or he’ll take off your hand.”
The man hesitates, then glances back at Heath, who nods. He slams the muzzle into my hands.
Turning, I kneel in front of Delta. “Braver Hund, Delta. Such a good boy.” I slip the muzzle onto him, then, without anyone noticing, slowly press the tracker we installed on the underside of each of their collars.
A beacon, should we ever need to find each other, just in case we have to dispose of our cell phones. I’d told Tucker I thought it was overkill, but man, am I glad he didn’t listen to me.
Delta whimpers, not understanding what’s happening, so I pet him again before standing and facing Heath.
“Good. Now, shall we?” He gestures toward a waiting dark SUV.
Emma is staring at me, eyes wide, tears flowing down her pale face.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her, then start toward the car that will likely take us all to our deaths.
“Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along His path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.” I repeat part of Psalm 37 over and over again, and as I do, an unfamiliar peace settles over me.
You’re here, Lord. I feel You. Please walk with us.
Chapter 26
Emma
This can’t be happening.
But no matter how many times I try to repeat that to myself, when I open my eyes, I’m still sitting in the back of an SUV between Dylan and an armed guard dressed in black. Delta is behind us, whimpering and confused.
It breaks my heart.
Sweat slicks my palms, and my heart won’t seem to settle. What’s going to happen to us? Where are they taking us? Will anyone ever know what happened?
