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Brock totally bought it. Without a second thought, he leapt straight from the

second floor, landing with a heavy thud.

"If it really is some wild mountain man, I'll strike it rich! Let's go!"

With his words, the whole crew swaggered out of the old ranch house and headed

past the white picket fence. But after a few steps, Brock remembered Elysia and

the others. He turned and barked,

"Leave this chick for me! Nobody touches her until I get back, you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah, Brock, don't worry! She's all yours."

Brock shot Elysia a sleazy grin before turning away, barely sparing a glance for

Tarquin or the kids.

To him, they were nothing-just harmless pests. Guns made all the difference,

after all. What could a few children and an old man do against that?

Once Brock and his men left, the little family of seven were herded into a bare,

musty room. Before the door slammed shut, one of the goons threw out a

warning:

"Sit tight and wait for Brock. Don't try anything stupid. This place is crawling with

run, you're dead

man waved his shotgun for emphasis and locked the door behind

heavy clunk.

the door, tugging at it, but it was sealed tight. No

go! Find Great-Grandpa

sheepdog, understood right away.

wriggled his way through a gap

wringing her hands,

is Grandpa and

would these people

They must

they'd have come out

soon as

place up in the mountains," Evan said quietly. "If they're

else could they have

hand gently. "Maybe... maybe they moved

else?"

her head

way! Did you see

out front?

and zucchini are thriving-Grandpa

be taking

we left, they

here. They said

back and

voice cracked, and she blinked back tears, worry etched deep on her

scared something's happened. There are so many of

guns..."

and Evan looked worried too, but

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