the slightest hint of fear in her eyes. She threw punches and kicks with a ruthless precis

led to notice someone stepping

d open, and a small head poked ou

! Take them dow

thusiastic. Nicole's attention flicked to

e didn't look like someone who

e. She dipped back, spun on her heel, smashed her elbow into her att

A

s bones cracked, follo

down all these

she glanced back at the yo

she said, gesturing fo

I can't leave Crustin now," Simon Hayes s

in a few strides, grabbed Simon by his collar, and

ng around till someone ships

Watch m

kicked wildly, unable to l

u tell me where you live? Do you

yfully poked his cheek. She couldn't

from Simon's eyes

she callin

was r

ze shifted over Nicole's shoulder. The sight of the

. Ayden

, Simon knew he'd be back behind the

cole's leg and whispered, "That's the one wh

low, but Nicole heard

a stranger who happened to be nearby when she needed a c

face was filled with real fear. Ma

If you don't, we're both toast! He's

, she looked up to see Ayden heading their way

aced herself for a confrontation. But Ayden ignored

napped up and landed a precise c

gh

nees buckled, and he fell to t

d away from Nicole, gri

stoppable uncle looke

anced at the unconscious man on the ground

the kid home

r hand found S

remember your parents' p

his eyes and then tu

ank you for saving me earlier, b

e wearing thin. "Not happening. We'r

rs memorized," Simon re

tact stored in his head. Only Ayden's numb

ed her watch. Running late already, she d

hesitation, she

ade a break for it. But Nicole's reflexes won out.

van packed with traffickers and rescued a kid. C

k settled over

d been crushed by this i