Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 60~

~Raelyn~

Just as peace finally began to settle over the night, it shattered like glass under a boot.

**Gunshots.**

**Glass exploding.**

The sounds tore through the stillness, vicious and loud — like the house itself was screaming.

I jerked upright in bed, heart racing. "*Colby!*" I gasped, barely able to breathe, let alone think.

Sadie leapt off the bed before I could move, a growl tearing from her throat, her stance rigid, fur standing up along her spine.

"Heel, Sadie!" I hissed. She whimpered, uncertain, ears flattened, eyes locked on the door.

From the bassinet beside us, Aspen's newborn scream cut through the chaos, shrill and terrified.

Colby was already up, no hesitation in his movements. He threw off the blanket and ripped open the nightstand drawer. The metallic clink of the guns was jarring in the dark.

He tossed one to me. "*Get the gang. Hide. Now.*"

"Colby—"

"*Raelyn, now!*" His voice cracked like a whip.

My breath hitched. "Shit."

I grabbed Aspen, clutching her tight, her cries muffled against my chest. "It's okay, baby. It's okay," I whispered, though my voice trembled.

I bolted into the hallway, my gun cold and heavy in my hand. My legs moved before my mind could catch up.

**Get them. Move. Move.**

First—Corey and Devyn. I pounded on the door with the side of my fist. "Get up! *Now!*"

The door swung open, Corey half-asleep, shirtless, confused. "What—?"

"Someone's in the house. Get Devyn, stay put. I'm getting the others."

Corey's eyes snapped awake. He nodded once. No questions.

I turned and almost collided with Sam and Katrina as they stumbled out into the hall.

"What the hell is going on?!" Sam snapped.

"Not the time! Corey's room. Go!"

Jake and Tara were already at their door, tension thick around them.

"Raelyn?" Tara's voice cracked.

"Get to Corey's room. Now."

They didn't argue. They saw the gun. They heard Aspen screaming. That was enough.

Next—Blake.

I flung his door open and found him sitting up, rubbing his eyes, the dim nightlight casting shadows on his little face.

"Mommy?" he asked, his voice still wrapped in sleep.

"Come here, baby." I grabbed him and he wrapped one arm around my neck, the other clutching his Stormtrooper doll. "Hold on tight, okay?"

"What's happening?" he whispered.

I didn't answer. I couldn't.

Then—another crash. A sickening *thud.*

My stomach turned to ice.

**Colby.**

I ran, skidding into Isa's room. "*Get up!*"

Isa sat up, wild-haired and groggy. "Jesus—what the hell—?"

"No time. Corey's room. *Now.*"

"Wait—"