Shaking her arms out and rolling her shoulders, Briar assessed her aches and pains. Her mind felt clearer, but maybe that was just the adrenaline coursing through her system. Her shoulder was not happy with her and she suspected she’d aggravated the injury, but she’d just have to deal with it.
Together, she and Raine used the handcuffs on the two unconscious men, and then Briar ripped Long Beard’s disgusting t-shirt off and tore it up to use as a gag. No reason the creeps should be able to call for help. As they were finishing, Short Beard’s eyes opened again. If looks could kill, Raine and Briar would have been ashes.
“That was good, Raine,” Briar said, brushing dirt and whenever else off her clothing. “How are you feeling?”
Raine looked up from brushing herself off. “Fucking pissed off. So fucking pissed off.”
“Good, hold onto that. I think we’re going to need it to get out of here. Do you know how to shoot?”
Raine shot Briar the same look Briar had given Royce. Was that only a few days ago? It seemed like a month had passed.
“Sheriff’s daughter here.”
Briar nodded. “Hang on to House-Flipper’s weapon, and don’t be afraid to use it. Hog, or whoever else is up there, won’t hesitate to use one on us.”
Raine nodded and picked up the gun from where Briar had kicked it.
Abruptly, the house shook, and she and Raine both instinctively ducked.
Raine was the one who asked, “Was that an earthquake?”
That had been Briar’s first thought too. She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
Glancing at each other, they crossed the small room to look out the window. It was dark and there was nothing they could immediately see outside. But the sound of men’s voices reached Briar’s ears, frantic and confused, and someone was shouting indistinct orders that no one seemed to be following. Then the sky briefly lit up and the house shook again.
Briar glanced at Raine. “I think reinforcements may have arrived.”
“I think Mr. House-Flipper’s equity just plunged,” muttered Raine.
Heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs.