The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance

or you’ll lose thousands of dollars.”
    Mitch just bought her a few extra minutes. She hurried. She found the box and pulled out her Swiss Army knife. Silently thanking her father for teaching her another fireman’s trick, she unlocked the box and turned off the electricity.
    Her night vision returned as cries and curses sounded. She ran to the window and peered in. Ed and the Tank held Mitch tight. Glenn had one arm wrapped around a young girl. He had backed into a corner with his other hand pointing a gun. Rick told everyone to calm down.
    “The biker only knows one trick,” Rick said. “Stay put, I’ll get the spotlight.” He felt his way from the room.
    Sophia aimed her rifle. A million worries and doubts boiled in her stomach. What if she missed? Act now, agonize later. She held her breath, braced for the recoil, and squeezed the trigger.
    The window shattered, the noise ricocheted around the room, and Glenn slammed into the wall. The bullet pierced his shoulder right at the joint of his shooting arm. The force knocked him out. He slid to the floor with a thud.
    Bingo! One down, three to go.
    The girl yelled and threw herself flat, covering her head with her arms. Her brother had taught her well. Sophia swung the rifle towards the others. Ed dived into the hallway, but the Tank had his arm around Mitch’s neck, pinning the agent in front of him as a shield.
    “Shoot him,” Mitch called.
    Where? Mitch covered almost all of the Tank. And she wasn’t a sharpshooter. Then she realized Mitch’s hands weren’t bound. One grasped the Tank’s meaty forearm, but the other pointed down. The guy’s knee poked out between Mitch’s legs.
    Oh shit. She aimed. I bet Mitch is wishing for a real pair of bulletproof underwear. She fired the gun and the bullet hit the Tank’s knee, obliterating it. Yuck. Mitch broke away as the Tank screamed.
    “Jenna?” Mitch called, searching for his sister. They connected. The girl wrapped her arms around him and sobbed.
    “It’s OK,” he said over and over.
    I wish. She kept watch for the two men who escaped. The sound of an engine turning over came from the front of the house. Headlights stabbed the darkness.
    “Mitch, they’re in the Rover,” she said.
    The noise grew louder as the light brightened.
    “Go!” Mitch ordered.
    Sophia sprinted around the back of the house, hoping to loop behind them and shoot out their tyres. When she reached the front, light blinded her. She forgot about the pickup truck.
    A shot boomed. Wood splintered. She dived to the ground, dropping her rifle, but kept moving, pulling herself along as if the air was filled with smoke. Gravel scraped her forearms as she sought the edge of light.
    She bumped into a solid object. Please be a tree trunk, she prayed. But even blind there was no mistaking the touch of cold hard metal on her temple. A wave of terror swept through her.
    “Stand up,” Rick said.
    She stood. The gun remained.
    “Son of a bitch. No wonder you’ve been giving us such trouble. Are you working for the feds?” he asked.
    “Yes, and my team will be here any minute.”
    He laughed. “Nice try.” He shoved her forwards. “Up against the house.”
    Rick pushed her into the wood siding. The peeling paint chips scratched her cheek, a minor thing considering the gun’s barrel now pressed on the back of her neck. She heard the Rover squeal to a stop.
    “Did you get him?” Ed asked.
    Rick snorted. “Our biker’s a light bender.”
    Well, at least he used the right name . . .
    “No shit!”
    “Take the rifle and check the house. Let Mitch know we have his friend.”
    Rick must have turned the lights back on. Time flowed like sweet tea - the kind with so much sugar it had the consistency of syrup. Sweat collected and dripped down her back. Why didn’t I ride over to Nantahala Lake tonight?
    Finally, Ed returned. “Mitch and his sister have disappeared. Glenn’s gun is gone and he and Max are in bad shape.”
    The tightness in her chest eased a bit. She hoped Mitch took his sister far away.
    “The kids?”
    “Gone too.”
    Rick cursed. “Get the spotlight and go find them,” Rick ordered. “They couldn’t have gone far.” He grabbed Sophia’s arm and propelled her into the house. “You saved his life and he left you behind. That’s gotta hurt.”
    “I’m glad,” she said. “I’d rather he save those girls than me.” And she meant it. They could have full lives ahead of them — high school, graduation,