“Okay.”

Kat put her arm on Missy’s waist and slid her hand to the knobs on the stove. Mason wouldn’t be able to see that. She twisted all of them. Missy’s eyes widened but Kat squeezed her hand, giving her a stern look. She felt a little proud of her best friend when she smiled.

“I should get some writing done,” Missy bravely got out.

The slight sound of gas filling the stove could be heard but she doubted Mason would pick it up from across the room. He’d smell it soon though. The oven was old, on their list of things to replace. The pilots never lit on their own. She tugged Missy away from it and turned, pulling her behind her.

Mason backed into the hallway, giving them a wide berth. Kat led her friend to the room across from the kitchen. “She likes to light candles when she writes. It makes her relax.” She addressed Mason but kept a hold on Missy. “I’ll light a few.”

Missy paled. Kat pushed her against the window that faced the backyard. “Where do you keep the lighter? Is it still in your desk?”

“It’s in one of my drawers,” Missy whispered, catching the hint.

“Mason might be interested in what’s in your drawers. He doesn’t know you. Right, Mason?”

Mason took the bait. She’d implied there might be a weapon. He moved around the big desk and bent, keeping the gun on them. His attention was diverted, though, when he yanked open the top drawer on the left of the big desk. There were four drawers in all. Kat knew how messy they were. He’d have to dig around. He bent a little more and Kat used the opportunity to grab the lighter off the shelf next to Missy’s scented candles.

Missy grabbed her arm, her fingers digging in. “We should feed the dog and cat soon.”

Kat winced. There was no way to save the animals. It was Missy’s life on the line. She knew her friend had guessed at what she was doing and had said it to remind her that they were upstairs. “They aren’t a priority right now.”

Tears filled Missy’s eyes and Kat had to look away. It hurt her too. The smell of gas reached her nose. Mason slammed one drawer and had to crouch to open the one under it. His gun rested on the desk, pointing their way. Kat moved to get between Missy and that gun. She glanced at the curtains. They were horrible, the same flower print that matched most of the house. The home had been a dream of theirs but they’d buy another one. Missy couldn’t be replaced.

“Nothing.” Mason moved around the chair and opened the other drawer. He suddenly tensed. “What is that smell?”

“What smell?” Kat gave him a blank stare. Time was up.

He sniffed and rose, moving toward the hallway door. His gun wavered and Kat spun, praying the lighter lit on the first try. She pressed it against the curtains, pushing down on the tab. A flame burst forth. The second she realized the curtains were on fire, she dropped it and wrapped her arms around Missy.

“What the f**k?” Mason yelled.

Kat shoved Missy away from the flames that shot up the curtain to keep her from catching fire. The window was single-paned since they hadn’t replaced them for more efficient ones. Missy had installed a thick blackout shade, the only thing that stood between them and the glass.

A gunshot rang out as Kat spun, using all her strength to hurl both of them through the window. They slammed into the glass and when it shattered there was nothing but luck, the shade and their clothes to protect them.

Darkness approached the house with the team, motioning for them to separate and surround the house. The sound of a gunshot fractured the night. He froze, terrified of what it meant. It was immediately followed by an explosion at the back of the house. There was a blinding blaze of light and the windows along the front of the house blew outward. The sound was deafening and set off car alarms along the street. They honked and beeped, flashing lights.

“Move,” Darkness roared. “Get in there!”

Any plan to sneak in and take out the male was forgotten. Darkness rushed to the side gate and jumped, not caring what was on the other side. He landed on concrete and stared horrified at smoldering chunks of the building. The back of the house had been destroyed—a flaming open wound of jagged destruction. Flames shot upward from inside, reminding him of a torch in one area. Dark smoke choked him as he rushed to enter, prepared to go into the burning house after Kat.

His peripheral vision caught movement and he froze, whipped his head in that direction. A bare arm rose from what appeared to be a section of wood paneling. The hand was small and appeared female.

“Kat!” He rushed toward her, dodging smoldering and burning debris.

Blood smeared her palm when he grabbed hold, using his other hand to grip the wood on top of her. He threw it aside. It wasn’t Kat staring up at him when he dropped to his knees. She had blonde hair and terrified blue eyes and wore a long nightshirt. Cuts and fresh blood marred her limbs but she didn’t appear to be critically injured.

“Where is she?” She tried to move but cried out.

“Kat?”

She nodded. “The house blew up and it ripped me right away from her.” The female tried to sit up again but collapsed flat, whimpering.

“Stay down,” Darkness ordered.

Book was at his side in an instant, tending to the female. Darkness rose and frantically searched the yard. A large piece of roof lay crumpled about five feet away. A bloody bare foot poked out from underneath the edge. It was small and lifeless.

“Kat!” He was terrified when he bent, afraid of what he’d find. The roofing appeared heavy, about eight feet long and five feet wide. It had sustained profound damage. His fingers hooked an edge and Trey rushed to the other side to help him move it.