Gage (THE GOLDEN TEAM #3)

26. Lori

26

Lori

I was in the attic when I heard something downstairs. What the heck was that? Dad was away with Helen. No one else was supposed to be here. Maybe Gage is here early.

Heart pounding, I crept down the stairs, careful not to make a sound. A shadow moved across the living room. A man.

Who is that?

Panic surged through me. Someone who wasn’t supposed to be here was in the house.

I instinctively reached for my phone. Oh my God . My pockets were empty. My phone was nowhere near me. My breath came in short, frantic gasps. I should have answered when it rang earlier—now I had no way to call for help.

I held my breath as the man walked past the staircase. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but I forced myself to move slowly, backing up toward the attic. As soon as I reached the top, I darted behind an old dresser, crouching low.

How is he here?

My mind raced. How did he get out of prison? Who would let him out? Or — oh God, were all three of them here?

I had to call the police.

My eyes darted to the small attic window. Could I fit through it? Did it even open? If I could climb out, I could flag someone down, call for help—warn them not to come inside. Those men were dangerous.

Matthew was already back at school. Brian was at his house. No one was coming to help me.

Then, I smelled it.

Smoke.

Where the hell was it coming from? My stomach clenched as the realization hit me.

The house is on fire.

I tiptoed toward the window, praying they wouldn’t come upstairs. Why would they set the house on fire? Were they trying to burn me alive?

I shoved the window, but it didn’t budge. Damn it! Dad had nailed it shut years ago, afraid one of us would fall from the third floor to our death outside. I needed a hammer—anything—to get the nails out. Breaking the glass wouldn’t be enough. I had to open the window all the way or I wouldn’t fit through it.

Then, I heard laughter.

A cold, twisted sound.

Chills shot down my spine. I recognized that laugh. Their brother used to laugh like that. Were they all serial killers? My stomach twisted, and I fought the urge to vomit.

Somewhere in the house, my phone rang.

“Gage,” I whispered.

Oh, God. He was supposed to come over after work. If he walked in now, they’d kill him.

I frantically searched the attic. My fingers wrapped around the handle of a hammer.

“Yes.”

I sprinted back to the window and jammed the hammer under one of the nails. Pushing with all my strength, I pried it loose. One down. One to go.

The smoke thickened. I coughed, my lungs burning.

I can’t die here.

I yanked at the last nail, muscles straining. Come on, come on—

It popped free.

The window stuck for a split second before I jammed the hammer underneath and forced it open. Without thinking, I swung my legs through, shoving my body out.

My stomach lurched.

There’s no ledge.

My hands flew up, catching the roof's edge just in time. My feet dangled over open air.

Don’t let go, Laura.

I gritted my teeth, gripping the edge with everything I had. Slowly, I pulled myself up.

One knee on the roof.

One arm.

Then both arms.

I made it.

Scrambling onto the slanted surface, I ran for cover, ducking behind the chimney stack.

I pressed my back against the cold brick, my body shaking.

Now what?

What did people do before they had phones with them all the time?

Think, Laura. Think.

I glanced around, my mind racing. What would Dad do?

Thick smoke poured from the windows and doors, billowing into the night sky. The crack of breaking glass echoed through the air. The fire was getting worse . If the roof collapsed, I’d be trapped.

I wanted to scream for help, but the second I did, those men would kill anyone who came to save me.

Laura, you’re in a hell of a mess, but you can get yourself out. Just think.

I tried calling Lori, but it went straight to voicemail.

The second I hung up, my phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Gage, this is Agent Frye. They let those bastards out. They said they couldn’t hold them any longer.”

I clenched my jaw. “What?”

“They claim there was no solid evidence against them. They walked free.”

My blood ran cold. I can’t believe they let those fuckers out.

“Does Lori know?” I demanded.

“I’ve been trying to call her, but she’s not answering. I’m on my way to her dad’s house now.”

“I’m five miles out,” I said. “I’ll keep trying her. See you there.”

I ended the call and immediately dialed Lori’s number again.

It rang. Once. Twice. Three times.

Then—someone answered.

A man.

And he laughed.

Ice shot through my veins.

They have her.

I slammed my foot on the gas. The road blurred around me as I tore through the streets. Please, God, let me get there in time.

Then I saw it.

Flames.

The house was engulfed, fire roaring through the windows. Sirens wailed. The fire department was already there, battling the inferno.

I barely threw my truck in park before jumping out and sprinting toward the house.

“LORI!” I shouted.

A firefighter grabbed my arm. “Stay back! The house is about to collapse.”

“She’s in there!” I fought against his grip, scanning the flames. Where is she?

Then I heard it.

A voice.

“I’m on the roof! Someone help me! I’m on the roof!”

I spun, searching the house.

“Lori!” I shouted. “Hold on! I’ll get a ladder!”

I ran back to the firemen. “She’s on the roof! I need a ladder—now!”

We grabbed a long ladder and rushed around the house. Before anyone could stop me, I was already climbing.

Lori was huddled behind the chimney, her face streaked with soot, her body trembling.

I reached her and crouched beside her. “Come on, sweetheart, we don’t have much time. We have to hurry before this roof caves in.”

She nodded, her eyes wide with fear.

I cupped her face, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “Let’s go.”

We started down the ladder.

Then—a bullet whizzed past my head.

Someone was shooting at us.

The crack of gunfire echoed through the night. Instinctively, I threw my body over Lori, shielding her as bullets whizzed past.

Then, the FBI pulled up, agents jumping out of their vehicles and sprinting into action.

“Stay here, sweetheart,” I whispered, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead before taking off.

I ran toward Agent Frye, who had taken cover behind a tree. Pulling my gun, I scanned the area. One of the brothers was crouched behind a car, trying to hide.

Not today.

I sprinted across the street, took aim, and fired. My bullet hit its mark. This time, I made sure he wasn’t getting back up.

The gunfire raged on as the FBI engaged the other two brothers. It didn’t take long before both were taken down in a shootout.

As soon as the threat was neutralized, I bolted back to Lori.

She was shaking but alive . She could have died.

I scooped her into my arms, holding her close, feeling the rapid thump of her heartbeat against my chest.

People had gathered along the street, murmuring, their faces pale with shock as they took in the smoldering remains of the house.

Lori’s voice trembled. “They burned my dad’s house down. Who let them out of jail? My God, they’re insane. They kill people. ” Her hands gripped my shirt. “I’m so glad you’re here. I need to call my dad. Do you have your phone?”

I pressed a hand to her back. “Let’s go to the truck, sweetheart. The firemen are still putting out the flames. I want you to sit down for a second.”

As we walked, I glanced at her. “How the hell did you get on the roof?”

She swallowed hard. “I was in the attic when I heard voices downstairs. At first, I thought it was my dad. But then I heard that laugh. The same laugh I heard when I was kidnapped. I think the whole family was full of serial killers. ”

I clenched my jaw and pulled out my phone, dialing her father. The second he answered, I explained everything.

“What?” His voice was sharp with alarm. “Put Lori on the phone.”

I handed it to her.

“Daddy, they burned your house down.”

“I don’t care about the house, baby. I’m just glad you’re okay.” His voice softened. “Helen and I just got married. We’re in Las Vegas. We’ll be home soon. I love you. Go home with Gage and try to forget what happened.”

Lori exhaled shakily. “Dad, I’m happy for you and Helen. I love you. ”

She handed my phone back. Her eyes darkened. “My dad forgets that I’ve seen worse than this. I was in the Army. I was overseas . I’m happy they’re dead. They can’t hurt anyone else. ”

I cupped her face gently. “Are you ready to go home with me?”

She nodded but hesitated. “I need to tell Sammy what happened first. I don’t want her showing up and seeing the house burned down. It’d scare her and the girls.”

“Alright,” I said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Let’s call her now. Then we’ll go home.”