“The shots came from this direction,” one man said. “He has to be around here somewhere.”

“You go that way,” the other responded. “Stay alert.”

He. Julien processed the single word. The guards didn’t know there were two of them. Did that mean if one of them was discovered, they would think they had accomplished their objective?

The two guards moved on, only an occasional footstep audible in the ensuing silence. Did Pratt know if he shot again, he would give away his location? Were there more guards heading their way?

The answer to his second question was answered when someone shouted, “Up here!”

The stampede of footsteps was enough for Julien to reach an unexpected decision. If he didn’t act now, he would be found, and everything would be ruined. He peeked out from behind the tree and spotted Pratt sitting motionless on his perch.

“Sorry, Pratt,” Julien whispered under his breath. He lifted his gun and fired off a single shot. The silencer masked the sound, but when the bullet impacted the tree a few inches from where Pratt sat, bark went flying, and Pratt jerked in surprise.

That was all the movement needed for the half dozen guards to finally spot him.

“Up there!”

Gunfire sparked in the air again, from Pratt and the guards. Ten seconds was all it took for a bullet to find its home and for Pratt to tumble to the ground.

* * *

Levi kept his body pressed against the boulder as he worked his way to the far side of it. He gripped his pistol tighter, willing his hand to stop shaking. The mere thought that Cassie could have died trying to save him unnerved him.

He glanced behind him where she sat a few feet away, her eyes closed, her breathing coming in deep, even breaths. She couldn’t bear to look at the cliffs, yet she had risked everything when he’d been in danger.

She had saved him. Now it was time to return the favor.

Levi looked around the edge of the boulder. The shooting had ceased, a new flurry of activity surrounding the wounded guards and the edge of the woods. A man was pulled out of the underbrush but didn’t move, and from the awkward angle of the man’s head, Levi doubted he was still breathing.

Darius appeared in the clearing and motioned his men into action. Four headed into the woods, and two more tended to the wounded guards. Two golf carts came into view, heading for Darius.

“What’s happening?” Cassie asked from where she sat with her eyes closed.

“It looks like they neutralized the suspect,” Levi said. “I know it’s uncomfortable, but I want to stay here until we’re sure he didn’t have any friends.”

“How . . . ?” Cassie began. She swallowed and tried again. “How did you know someone was here?”

“A motion sensor went off. I think the guy came in where the new fence is being built.” Levi sat and scooted over until he was beside Cassie. “The royal guard hasn’t upgraded their communication system yet, which would have made it easy to monitor their response.”