26

“Slade!” Skylar’s scream echoed throughout the house, loud enough to hear from Lily’s bedroom on the far end. “Aston’s on the dock with Lily. She just fell off. She’s in the water.”

Slade couldn’t get downstairs fast enough. His imagination went wild as he took the steps two at a time. Barnes should’ve been arrested by now. He shouldn’t have had the opportunity to find Slade’s home, to invade his privacy, much less terrorize Lily again.

Slade bounded into the great room, reaching for his Glock. “Skylar! Wait for me,” he demanded. But it was too late; she had already dashed through the front door. He sprinted across the foyer and followed her into the waning sunlight. The sunset cast an orange glow across the lake, creating a halo around three figures; Skylar stood on the shoreline just short of the dock as Aston Barnes scooped Lily from the water and held a gun to her side.

“You’re the bad man that took me from school,” Lily cried as water streamed from her saturated clothes.

Sarah ran out of the house, let out a strangled cry, and lunged toward Lily. Slade caught her by the arm and stepped in front of her. “Let me handle this. Stay back.” Once certain Sarah would comply, he approached the dock. “It’s all right, Lily. I’m here.”

Tears slipped down her face and she whimpered. Slade’s gut twisted. He narrowed his eyes at Barnes. “Get your hands off my niece.”

“Your niece?” His brows lifted. “Ah, now things are making more sense. You spent all those months pretending to be my dutiful employee just to exact revenge? Pitiful.”

“This isn’t about revenge. We want Sarah’s money back and you in prison where you belong.”

Barnes tossed his head back and laughed. “You’re not calling the shots here. I am. We’re going to make a trade.” His gaze strayed to Skylar.

Protective instincts exploded. Slade stepped beside Skylar. “You should go inside. You don’t need to be out here.”

“Yes. I do.” Skylar inched forward. “Aston, I’ll transfer the money if you let Lily go.”

Slade froze. “What are you doing?” She didn’t have the money, and bluffing would only enrage Barnes.

“Uncle Winston called. His money wasn’t stolen. He consolidated his cash from each of his accounts into one account at another bank.” She slipped a piece of paper from her back pocket and held it up, raised her voice toward Barnes. “This account probably has several hundred thousand dollars more in it than the original one.”

Eyes glazing over with greed, Barnes yanked Lily closer. “Give it to me.”

“This number won’t do you any good without the password. I memorized it. Let Lily go, and I’ll come with you.”

“No,” Slade objected. “There has to be another way.”

She met his gaze, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You can’t get a clean shot. Not this time. The risk is too high.”

“She’s right.” Barnes shoved the pistol against Lily’s chest. “Drop your weapon into the lake.”

Slade ached to refuse, but he had to bide his time. He had to trust they weren’t alone. Father, help keep us safe. Don’t let any harm come to my family, to Sky.

Slade tossed the Glock, and it landed with a splash, settling on the sandy bottom.

Barnes hitched his chin. “Both of you. Back up.”

Skylar and Slade took a few steps away. Barnes walked with Lily to the shoreline, stepped into the grass. “Don’t try anything,” he warned before releasing Lily.

Lily rushed into Sarah’s arms, sobbing. Sarah ran with her into the house, and Barnes turned the gun toward Skylar. “Come here.”

“Not so fast.” Slade wrapped an arm around her waist. “You’ll have to take both of us. We’re a package deal.”

“Slade, no.” Skylar attempted to free herself, but Slade kept her tight to his side.

“Works for me.” Barnes waved the gun. “Remember, I’ve got enough bullets for the both of you. Let’s go.”