After taking a piss against a tree, the guard started on a circuit of the cabin.

In the distance, Gabe heard a chopper. His pulse picked up. Perfect. The noise would distract the guard.

Now, the plan. Bull and Caz could operate without detailed instructions—they’d worked as a team all their lives.

And Knox… Audrey was special to him. He’d shown that in the bar. He’d protect her well.

“Caz, you and Bull grab the sentry and bring him to the front. I need him capable of talking. They need to think he’s still on guard.”

Bull and Caz nodded.

“Knox, you and I will wait on each side of the door for them to come out. When I yell ‘Go’, you grab Audrey.” Gabe narrowed his eyes at the man. “Your only job is to yank her out of the doorway—no matter what damage she might get in doing so. Then you keep her safe. The best cover will probably be prone behind the woodpile or around the cabin. Use your judgment, and stay out of the kill zone.”

“Got it.”

“Here. They have her cuffed.” Gabe gave his spare handcuff key to Knox and turned to his brothers. “We have Spyros, Baumer, and four unknowns. These bastards aren’t innocent bystanders; they know Spyros intends to kill Audrey. Take them down as hard as you need to.”

They nodded.

“How about the pilot?” Knox asked.

“He’s probably a hire from Anchorage. Unless he jumps in, don’t shoot him.”

Caz tossed off a salute.

Bull gave Gabe a smile. “We’ll get her out.”

Gabe tried to smile back and knew he’d failed. The odds…sucked.

Still lying on her side, Audrey heard a whirring, and her heart sank. Oh, God.

Earl Baumer tipped his head. “Is that the chopper?”

It was.

The cabin fell silent. The engine sounded funny. Loud, then soft.

The New Yorker frowned. “Almost sounds like there are two of them.”

“Noise tends to echo off the cliffs.” Earl slung his pack over his shoulder. “I can’t wait to get out of here.”

A thud on the door sounded, and the outside guard called, “Copter is coming in now.”

“Let’s go.” Knife in one fist, Spyros grabbed Audrey’s T-shirt with his other hand and yanked her to her feet.

She staggered, almost falling when he shoved her forward.

Get it together, Audrey.

Once outside in an open space, she might be able to break free. Head down, she tensed and relaxed her muscles to get the circulation going. She’d run—and if the way wasn’t clear, she’d dive into the tail rotor and die fast.

Her heart quailed. Die. She didn’t want to die.

She would. She must.

The door opened, and Earl walked out.