“They’re trying to keep us from outflanking them,” he whispered. “That knife won’t do you much good now. You’re going to need my pistol.” He pushed something, then handed her the big.45 automatic. “The trigger safety is off. Just point, line up the sights-the post in the middle of the v-and squeeze the trigger. But hang on to it tightly with both hands. It’s going to kick like a mule. Once you fire, change positions or they’ll zero in on the muzzle flash.”

Cold sweat bathed her skin and her stomach was heaving. She sucked in a breath, determined not to give in to the terror she’d kept at bay so far. Hastiin Sani needed her, and she’d come through for him just like he’d come through for her so many times in the past.

Dana saw one of the men break from cover and move to their left, running toward the cabin wall. Ranger raised his rifle, but she fired first. As the gun kicked upward in her hand, the trigger of the weapon ripped painfully into the web between her thumb and forefinger. Despite the unexpected stab of pain, she managed to hold on to it. Remembering what Ranger had said, she immediately stepped behind another tree to her left, watching and trying to listen, though her ears were still ringing.

“You forced him back. Good. Just keep behind something solid, and move after you fire,” Ranger said, watching the cabin, not her. “Make every shot count, you’ve got seven more.”

“How did you find us?” she asked.

“Friends-and his cell phone,” he said, then waited for a moment, watching and listening. “They’re not moving. They realize we’re both armed now. But they also know we can’t get to the cabin without coming out into the open. We’ll have to draw them out.”