He’d worried about the danger Ed had predicted. But he’d never imagined they’d be so outnumbered and outgunned. Desperate, he changed direction, guiding Finley downhill.

“I wouldn’t do that,” one of the men warned in a deep voice. The sound that came next—the metallic noise of a rifle charging in preparation to fire—was worse than a nightmare.

If he and Finley continued to flee, they’d be shot. But if they stopped, they’d be at the mercy of the men.

Finley made the decision for him, coming to a halt.

Still holding her hand, Luke positioned himself between her and them.

The men, similar in height and size, closed in on Luke slowly. Their boots crunched the earth.

“What do you want?” Luke asked.

“I think you know what we want,” the one in the middle answered. The others kept their weapons fixed on Luke. They stopped ten yards away. “Take us to it, and neither of you will get hurt.”

“What assurance do I have of that?”

“None. With or without your help, we’ll find what we’re looking for. We sure would appreciate your cooperation, though.”

They’d be more likely to let Finley go if they got what they wanted—the chance to collect the bars at their own pace and get away without showing their faces. “We’ll take you to it,” Luke said.

“Good choice.”

He and Finley made their way back toward the ledge. Two of the men followed on foot, one followed in the ATV.

His brain had gone icy cold, but his heart was fiery hot. How do I protect her? I can’t allow anything to happen to her.

It didn’t take them long to reach the dig site. The one driving the Polaris killed the motor but not the lights. When the strangers came to stand next to the hole, Luke could feel their satisfaction and greed.

“Have you told anyone else about this?” the leader asked Luke.

He could lie and tell him they’d already called the police. But that might agitate them, and he didn’t want to force their hand. “No.”

“I don’t believe you,” one of the others said.

“It’s the truth,” Luke bit out.

“Is it?” the leader asked Finley, who was still shielded by Luke’s body. “Who else knows about this?”

“No one,” she said clearly.

Two of the men went to the ATV for boxes and shovels.

The leader drew closer. “Come out, Finley,” he said mildly.

Foreboding knotted Luke’s stomach. He let go of Finley’s hand in order to reach toward his lower back.

“How do you know my name?” Finley asked.

“How would anyone know about this gold if they didn’t know your name?” he countered. “Step to the side. Let me get a look at you.”

“No,” Luke said.

“You’re not in a position to tell me no.”