“I did.” Nathan tried to look ashamed. “And I’m very sorry. We all make mistakes. But I’m going to make it up to her by helping her now.”

“Where is she?”

Ah, love was such an easy emotion to manipulate.

“She fell and hurt her ankle. She needs you, Bill.”

“She fell? In the woods?” Bill shuffled his feet. His blond brows furrowed with concentration.

Rushing Bill wouldn’t swing his decision in Nathan’s favor, but guests slept upstairs, and Bill’s mother could hear them at any moment. Even ill, she was not a person to be crossed, particularly when it came to protecting her children. Nathan wondered if she was strong enough to lift and fire her shotgun.

“OK, but I have to tell Mom where I’m going.”

“Mandy told me your mother has been sick,” Nathan lied. His assistant had told him about Mae’s heart attack. “This would probably upset her. That wouldn’t be good for her recovery, would it?”

“I guess not.” Bill gave the dog a pat on the head. “You stay here, Honey. Take care of Mom.”

Bill dropped into a kitchen chair to tie his sneakers. Nathan waited, anxiety roiling into white water in his head. His heartbeat thudded, simultaneously loud and thin. His mind wasn’t the only part of his body degenerating.

Tomorrow night it would all be over.

Nathan led Bill out the door like Willy Wonka, but he’d do what was necessary to make his plan work. No one was as important as Evan. Following his uncle’s example, Nathan would save him or die trying.

He opened the sedan’s passenger door for Bill.

Mandy would be upset that her brother had been chosen, but it was her punishment from the gods for not being ready for Nathan when he came for her.

Everyone had to pay a price.

Everyone had to make sacrifices.

Danny stared out into the still-dark forest. Behind him, Mandy slept in their sleeping bag nest. A cool breeze stirred the fire, and trees dripped with fresh rain. He checked his watch. The rain had stopped, and the last rumble of thunder had passed thirty minutes ago. He hadn’t seen lightning in an hour.

He leaned back and nudged Mandy’s shoulder. She jumped.

“Sorry.” He stroked the smooth skin of her back. “The storm passed. I thought you’d want to get moving.”

She sat up. The cover slipped down around her waist. Mmm. Her skin flushed. All of it, and Danny wanted to lick every inch. But it wasn’t going to happen tonight. The forced break was over. Duty called.

“You’re already dressed.” With an exasperated glance, she quickly tugged on her clothes. Pity.

“I didn’t see any point in waking you.”

“How long did I sleep?”

“Couple hours. The storm hung around longer than expected.”

She tugged on her jacket and boots, then grabbed a few things from her pack. “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?”

“Just behind that tree over there, and no, you cannot come with me.” She secured her holster behind her hip.