The sound of the gunshot split through the silence like a knife, sharp and terrifying. My body froze, every muscle tensing as I clutched Ava closer to me, her small frame trembling in my arms. I could hear her soft whimper as she buried her face in my shoulder, but I couldn't move. My heart was pounding in my chest, my mind racing with fear and confusion.
It was happening. Ferraro had come.
More gunshots followed, echoing through the trees outside, each one sending a jolt of terror through me. William and Ethan were out there, in the middle of it, fighting to protect us, and all I could do was sit here, powerless to help. The feeling of helplessness was suffocating, like a weight pressing down on my chest.
Ava clung to me tighter, her voice a soft whisper against my ear. "Mommy, what's happening?"
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's okay, sweetheart. We're safe. We're just going to stay here for a little while."
