“Take Him, Not Me” “Take him, not me!”

Within three hours, Jim Harrison’s quiet ranch was transformed into a tactical staging ground.

Two sleek black SUVs carrying six armed Federal Marshals pulled into the driveway, accompanied by an unmarked sedan carrying Special Agent Sarah Lin from the FBI’s Public Corruption Task Force.

Inside the study, Agent Lin reviewed the contents of the USB drive while two marshals stood guard at the perimeter gates.

“The evidence is ironclad, Mr. Harrison,” Agent Lin said, closing her laptop. “We’ve already dispatched teams to secure the Miller children’s mother from the county jail where she was being held on fabricated drug charges. Her release is being processed as we speak.”

Maddie let out a sharp breath, her hands flying to her face. “Mom? She’s okay?”

“She’s safe, Maddie,” Agent Lin said gently, walking over and kneeling beside the young girl. “She’s being transported to a federal medical facility in Amarillo to be treated for injuries sustained during her arrest. You’re going to see her very soon.”

Oliver looked up from where he was sitting with Barnaby, his small face lit up with a mix of wonder and relief. “Mommy’s coming back?”

“Yes, buddy,” Luke said, dropping down to one knee beside the boy. “Mommy’s coming back.”

However, Agent Lin’s phone rang, shattering the moment of relief. She stepped into the hallway to take the call, her expression darkening with every second.

When she walked back into the room, her jaw was set tight.

“We have a situation,” Lin said quietly. “Brenda Vance and her husband realized the investigation was compromised when Wayne failed to return with the drive last night. They’ve liquidated their local accounts and fled their residence.”

Luke stood up, his eyes narrowing. “Where are they?”

“Local law enforcement just spotted Wayne’s pickup heading west on County Road 12,” Lin revealed. “They know the children are either with you or at Mr. Harrison’s property. They’re desperate, Mr. Carson. Desperate people with access to heavy firearms do unpredictable things.”

Before Lin could finish her sentence, the sharp crack of a high-powered rifle shot echoed across the valley.

Outside, the kitchen window exploded inward, showering the wooden floor with razor-sharp glass shards.

Barnaby barked loudly, and Oliver let out a terrified scream as Maddie threw her body over her brother, covering his head with her arms.

“DOWN!” a Federal Marshal screamed, pulling his sidearm as two more shots slammed into the exterior logs of the house.

Luke didn't hesitate. He dove across the floor, grabbing both Maddie and Oliver, pulling them under the heavy mahogany desk.

“Stay down! Stay down!” Luke commanded, his body completely shielding both children from the window line.

Jim Harrison reached into his desk drawer, pulled out a heavy .45 caliber pistol, and racked the slide with practiced ease. “They brought rifles!”

Outside, heavy automatic gunfire erupted as the Federal Marshals returned fire from the porch. The sound was deafening, echoing through the peaceful Texas countryside like thunder.

Agent Lin crouched behind the leather sofa, her radio pressed to her ear. “All units! Suppressive fire! We have two minors in the primary structure!”