And then, finally, the sound of helicopter blades filled the air.

DJ looked up for a second, but it was enough.

Tom rolled right, grabbed his gun with his left hand, and . . . hesitated. He was aiming for DJ’s head, but that . . . That was rage and would deprive DJ’s victims of their justice.

And that’s not me. Adjusting his grip, Tom shot him in the right shoulder instead, firing three bullets in quick succession.

DJ dropped to his knees, screaming. Partly in pain, Tom thought. Mostly in fury. DJ had dropped his gun and dove for it now. When he twisted around, he held the gun in a two-handed grip and pointed it at Tom’s hand, still clutching Liza’s ankle. “She’s going to die and you’re—”

Tom fired again, striking DJ in the chest as another shot came from his right. Croft. DJ fell backward, blood spreading across his torso. And from the hole in his head.

He was finally still.

Tom sagged, letting his forehead rest on the ground for five hard beats of his heart. Then he reached for Liza’s other ankle and began to tug.

Croft crawled to his side. “Let me help.”

Together they pulled Liza back to solid ground and then the three of them collapsed, breathing like they’d each run a marathon.

“Are you all right?” Liza finally asked.

Croft’s laugh was a little manic. “You’re asking us?”

“Well, yeah. I’m the medic.”

“We have vests,” Tom said. “But hell. They tell you that it’ll hurt, but . . .”

“They severely misrepresent the pain,” Croft said, then groaned. “I think I busted a rib.”

“But otherwise, you’re all right?” Liza pressed.

Tom shoved up on his elbows. “You’re covered in blood. Are you all right?” It was smeared on her thighs and he could see vague streaks that might have been from her fingers. Now that she was safe, he could think of everything else.

“It’s Kowalski’s. I’m fine.”

“Good.” Tom rolled to the side that didn’t hurt like hell and pulled her close. She put her arms around his neck and he held her for a long moment while she shuddered against him. “You scared the hell out of me,” he murmured. “Don’t ever do that again.”

She laughed, a slightly broken sound. “I wasn’t afraid of heights before, but I am now.”

“You’re entitled.” He tightened his arms, hissing in pain.

She scooted back, frowning. “You said you were all right.”

“I’ve had broken ribs before,” he assured her, “and this isn’t broken. It’s just bruised.”

“But it sucks,” Croft said woefully.

Grabbing her hand, Tom lowered himself back to his stomach, figuring he’d move later. He hadn’t broken a rib, but he hadn’t caught his breath yet, either. He kept seeing her sliding into a ravine and his breath would hitch all over again.

Liza sat up and ran her fingers though his hair. “I think the cavalry is here.”

The helicopter landed behind them, the blades slowing to a stop. Then boots hit the ground. “Anyone need us to call for a medic?” a man called out.