On one side, Gabe cursed, staggered, and ran again. Ahead of them, JJ reached the forest. Off to the left, Caz disappeared into the undergrowth.

Even as Frankie picked a possible opening, it felt as if a staff had whipped across her back flank. Staggering, she plunged into the foliage, arms up to protect her eyes as branches whipped against her clothing. A second later, someone followed almost on her heels.

She spun, jo rising.

“Run,” Bull snapped.

Oh, thank God.

She ran again.

From the forest across from the watchtower—where none of the rescuers were—the recording of Gabe’s warning boomed out over the gunfire.

The PZs stopped shooting to listen.

“Patriot Zealots, we broke into your compound to free a woman who was held against her will. The women with us requested to leave. Be warned, you are now off your property and on public land. If you attack, we will defend ourselves—and then press charges with the law.”

Frankie glanced back long enough to see some PZs break off and head for what they’d think was a person rather than a recording. Hah!

A couple more slowed as if unsure whether to continue. Good!

Unfortunately, the rest kept on at a full run.

“Veer right” came Bull’s instructions.

Thank heaven he knew where he was going. She angled that direction, tripping over the roots and stubby bushes. She dodged a low branch and…oh, no. She’d actually seen the branch. Could make out the trees in the shadowy forest gloom. The skies were lightening, and dawn would arrive in an hour or so. The rescue had taken longer than they’d planned.

Bull turned, heading another direction. From the myriad of boot marks in the dirt, she knew they’d reached the trail used on the way in. A minute later, Gabe limped out of the forest onto the trail. Two other dark forms resolved into Caz with JJ, who had her left hand clamped over her right upper arm.

“Caz, set the trip line,” Gabe said quietly. “Everyone else, keep going.”

Frankie glanced back, seeing Caz at a tree, pulling the pre-attached wire tight. Anyone moving fast would hit the taut, shin-high wire and fall.

The PZs were approaching fast. She could hear branches breaking, angry yells and curses.

Frankie sped up, running right on Bull’s heels.

Behind them, someone yelled in pain, then there were a bunch of yelps and curses. A gun fired. More moans.

A man shouted, “Holster your weapons when you’re running, assholes!”

Frankie heard Bull snort a laugh. She kept moving.

“JJ, when we get around the next corner, throw a flashbang back at them,” Gabe ordered. Knowing the trail better than any of them, he was in the lead.

“Yes, sir.”

Cops and their flashbangs.

The yelling of their pursuers grew louder.