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in place and ready to help, but Laine didn’t know if that would make the situation better or worse. She could feel her captor’s anxiety soaring even higher.
    The man continued to move, dragging her across the road and directly toward the woods. He didn’t stop even when a Sweetwater Springs cruiser braked a few yards away. Colt got out, using the car door for cover, and took aim at her captor. Too bad Colt didn’t have any better chance than Tucker did.
    Just up the road from the cruiser, there was another set of lights and a siren. An ambulance. However, unlike Colt, the driver stayed back, no doubt waiting until it was safe enough to approach.
    â€œIf you get a shot, take it,” Tucker told his brother.
    â€œYeah, do that,” the man snarled. “It’s a good way to get the shrink here killed. I’m thinking if you shoot me, my trigger finger will automatically tense up. And boom, there she goes.”
    Laine’s shoes sank into the ground when he dragged her off the road and onto the soft shoulder. Just a few steps from the woods. It was now or never. If she didn’t try to do something, he’d escape with her.
    It was a huge risk, but Laine drew back her elbow and rammed it into his stomach. He cursed at her, calling her a name, and she jabbed him again. All the while, she braced herself in case he chose to retaliate.
    He did.
    The man pulled the trigger, and the pain immediately crashed through her head.
    Laine nearly went to her knees. It took a moment—one terrifying moment—to realize he hadn’t shot her. The pain was from the excruciating noise of the bullet being fired so close to her ear. But Laine felt no relief at being spared, because she had no idea where that bullet had landed.
    Tucker jumped to the side, still ready to return fire. He didn’t appear to be hurt. Neither was Colt. But the shot could have gone into the house. That gave her a much-needed jolt of adrenaline, and she started fighting. At least if he shot her, Tucker would be able to kill the guy.
    â€œThis isn’t over,” he growled.
    He shoved her, hard. So hard that Laine stumbled forward and fell at the edge of the road.
    â€œStay down, Laine!” Tucker warned her, a split second before he pulled the trigger.
    Tucker scrambled to the ground near her, but he lifted his hand to fire again. Laine tried to see if he’d managed to shoot the guy, but Tucker pushed her right back down.
    Then he cursed.
    â€œHe’s getting away,” Tucker mumbled.
    Laine’s first reaction to that was, No! But at least if he was running, it meant he wouldn’t be firing shots into the house. Of course, the downside to that was that if he escaped, he could come after her and the babies again.
    â€œBe careful,” Tucker said, and it took her a moment to realize why he’d issued that warning. It was meant for his brother.
    With his gun ready, Colt bolted from the side of the cruiser and went after the man.
    â€œThe babies,” Laine reminded him. “They’re in the house alone.” And while Tucker had said that his sister had contained the other two men, they could always try to escape and go inside to take the newborns.
    Tucker pulled her right back down when she tried to get up, and he kept his attention pinned to the woods where Colt had disappeared. The seconds crawled by. No sounds. No shots. The gunshot had dulled her hearing, but she could feel the steady throb of her heartbeat crashing in her ears.
    â€œMove fast,” Tucker finally said, and he stood, pulling her to her feet.
    Laine didn’t even have time to regain her balance before he started running with her toward the house. Tucker got her up the steps and inside, and then he shut the door.
    The babies were still crying, and Laine tried to go to them. Again Tucker moved in front to stop her. He was still the vigilant lawman, his gaze still firing all around.
    Mercy, was there another