Daisy’s face was pinched and drawn. She knew Gideon should be back by now as well. But she was holding it together.

“Ephraim,” Mercy shouted. “Let her go. I know you want me. I know you want this damn key, whatever it’s for. I know you don’t want your mother dying alone in some prison ward, but she will if you hurt any of my friends or family. So let her go and deal directly with me.”

Ephraim’s answer was a gunshot through the SUV’s side window.

Everyone hunkered on reflex, but the glass didn’t shatter. Rafe chanced a look around the SUV, hoping that Ephraim had pulled both guns away from Farrah while he was shooting, but he still had the revolver shoved firmly under her chin.

“That window won’t hold forever,” Ephraim shouted back. He pushed Farrah a little closer. “And when it breaks, someone inside that SUV will get the next bullet and I’ll aim for heads.” He shot again and the glass pebbled.

“He’s right,” Rafe said, his jaw clenched. “The glass will take two more hits, tops. If he gets much closer he’ll be climbing in the damn window.”

Dammit, Gideon, where the fuck are you? This was Rafe’s worst fear for how this situation would end. With him having to put Mercy directly in Ephraim’s crosshairs.

“What do you want?” Rafe yelled. “Be specific, Burton.”

“I want that SUV!”

“Take the other one.”

Ephraim had continued inching closer and now Rafe could hear him laugh. “Fine. As long as Mercy is in it.”

Mercy crouched on the floor of Hunter’s SUV, pale but determined. “Where is Molina’s SWAT team?”

“Good question,” Rafe growled. “But a better one is what do you think you’re doing?”

Because Mercy was sliding across the floor to the open door. “I’m going to do what I did in Snowbush. Except this time I’ve got a vest and helmet. And this time you’re going to be ready. Daisy, can you climb a tree?”

Daisy nodded. “I’ve done it before. You want me to be your sniper?”

“Well, I think we’re on our own,” Mercy said. “Don’t you?”

“Yes,” Rafe agreed. “I expected the cavalry to have ridden in by now.”

“Amos,” Daisy whispered, “how good are you with a rifle?”

“Very good,” Amos said seriously. “Good enough to keep my son and daughter’s family safe.”

Daisy gave Amos’s arm a quick squeeze. “Keep him in your sights while I’m crawling to the woods. If you see him drop those guns away from Farrah, shoot. Okay?”

Amos nodded once. “I will.”

When Daisy was safely in the forest, Mercy leaned forward to kiss Rafe hard. “I am not a sacrifice,” she whispered. “I am a diversion. Watch his hands. The minute he doesn’t have the muzzle of a gun on Farrah’s body, shoot him. I don’t care where. I want this over.” She kissed him again, softer this time. “I trust you.”

Rafe swallowed hard. “Dammit, Mercy.”

She gave him a sad smile. “Let’s get rid of the baggage I’ve been carrying all these years, okay?” Then she patted Amos’s cheek. “You were a good shot when I was little. I bet you’re a lot better now. And if you’re tempted to do anything stupid, remember that Abigail needs her papa. And so do I.”