Blinded by Beauty (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 8)

“Here, Jaris. This way you can stay in touch.” Sean handed him his ROC. “Matt and I will head back to town.”

Gunshots rang out from the front of the Stone’s house.

They all flattened out on the ground.

Lunceford’s attack isn’t just in town. It’s here, too.

All the dogs were snarling, ready to help.

He gave the command to Sugar to get down and stay alert. Chance did the same with Annie and Kaylyn the same with the other four.

“The war has begun,” Matt whispered. “Who is inside?”

“Shane, Corey, and the Stones,” Kaylyn answered as shots continued to ring out. “Plus, Amber and Belle.”

“Sheriff, we have shots here, too,” Shane’s voice came through. “We’ve spotted, six…correction eight armed men near the tree line of our fence.”

“The house is between us and the shooters,” Jaris said, feeling his pulse burn hot. He needed to protect Kaylyn. That was all that was on his mind now.

Shane continued, “Amber and Belle are taking the boys to the basement.”

“Belle’s the one Lunceford wants,” Sean said.

Nicole’s voice came through again. “We have a man down in the park. There’s also been an explosion at the courthouse.”

“We’re on our way, Nicole,” the sheriff said. “Shane, can you handle your situation?”

“So far, yes. We’re holding them off.”

“Chance, Kaylyn, and I will get the dogs secured.” Jaris reached in and touched his pistol talisman. “You two go around to the side to see if you can flank the attackers.”

“On it,” the two men said in unison, rushing off.

“Stay low to the ground.” Jaris listened intently, in case any of the attackers made it past the house. So far, it sounded like Shane and the other men were keeping the bastards at bay.”

The three of them inched their way with the dogs to the building, which would give them more cover. Once inside, they shut the doors.

More troubling updates were coming through the ROC. “Fire at the clinic.” “Three shooters outside Blue’s Diner.” “We have two more officers down.”

“We’ve got to do something,” Kaylyn said frantically.

“You need to stay put,” Chance said firmly, mirroring his exact thoughts. “You’re safe here.”

“But what about Belle?”

Jaris put his arm around her. “Even though Lunceford’s war is in full swing, with only eight shooters here at the ranch, I’m sure Shane and the other men will prevail.”

He heard one of the kennel gates open in the back, and knew it came from where Bayless’s dogs were being kept. Had Bayless returned?

“Jaris, how long do we wait?” Kaylyn asked. “Surely there’s something we can do to help.”

He heard Bayless and his dogs heading their direction, but he wasn’t alone. Was Lyle with him? He couldn’t identify the footsteps of the other man because of the gunshots being fired outside.

“Baby, the odds here are in our favor.” Jaris wasn’t so sure about the odds in town. He said a silent prayer for Destiny and for his friend Nicole.

“The odds are not quite in your favor, Detective Simmons,” a voice he didn’t recognize said.

His gut clenched. Not Bayless. Not Lyle. “Who are you?”