Chapter 103

Troy POV

I moved without thinking, putting myself between the men and Lake and the boys. If I could just slow them down, give Lake time to grab the kids and run—

“Troy, no!” Lake shouted, but it was too late.

Frank Morrison was on me, and I felt the knife before I saw it. White-hot pain exploded in my stomach, stealing my breath and my ability to scream. I looked down and saw red, so much red, spreading across my shirt.

I’d been stabbed.

Oh God, I’d been stabbed.

“Troy!” Lake’s voice, distant and panicked.

I fell to my knees, my hands pressing against my stomach trying to hold everything in. The pain was indescribable, like fire and ice and being torn apart all at once.

Through blurring vision, I saw Frank and Samuel grab Lake and Ollie. Lake was fighting, screaming, trying to break free, but Samuel pressed something—a cloth—to Ollie’s face and the boy went immediately limp.

“NO!” Lake screamed, still struggling. “Let him