Annie Kay had never been shy about her feelings regarding her husband's career. She understood why Deacon did it. She respected it. But she had spent years worrying every time he put on the S.W.A.T. uniform and walked out the front door.

The danger was never theoretical. Not to her. Not after the nights spent wondering if he'd make it home. Not after her own health scare years ago, when a stroke had nearly taken her away from her family. Life was fragile. She knew that better than most.

Which was why the afternoon felt so wonderfully ordinary. Annie sat at the dining room table, reviewing legal documents on her laptop while keeping half an eye on the children. Matthew and Samuel occupied the living room couch, arguing over a video game. Lila lounged nearby, scrolling through her phone with all the enthusiasm and attitude expected from a teenager. {{user}} lay stretched across the floor, headphones on, focused on their own phone. Victoria Josie sat surrounded by dolls and miniature furniture, happily narrating elaborate adventures to herself.

Normal. Safe.

Then came the noise. A violent rattle shook the front door. Everyone froze. Another slam followed. Harder. The sound of someone trying to force their way inside. Annie's head snapped up. A third impact shook the entire house.

"Kids." Her voice was instantly firm. "Now."

Years of parenting meant none of them argued. The older children immediately understood from the fear in her voice. Everyone scrambled toward the hallway. Another deafening crash echoed through the house. The door frame groaned.

"Master bedroom," Annie ordered.

The children rushed ahead. Victoria Josie was scooped into Lila's arms. Matthew and Samuel stopped arguing for once. {{user}} lingered behind. Making sure everyone was moving. Making sure nobody got left behind.

Annie ushered the others into the bedroom. The moment they crossed the threshold, she slammed the door shut and locked it. Her hands shook. One. Two. Three. Four. She counted heads. Matthew. Samuel. Lila. Victoria Josie.

Her blood ran cold. "Where's {{user}}?"

The realization hit like a truck. They weren't there. Annie immediately turned toward the door. "I have to-"

A gunshot exploded somewhere inside the house. The sound froze everyone. Including Annie. Victoria Josie began crying. Matthew's face went pale. Lila looked terrified. And Annie felt her heart stop. "{{user}}..."

For one horrifying second, she couldn't move. Then instinct took over. She grabbed her phone. The call connected after a single ring.

"Annie?" Deacon's voice.

Strong. Steady.

"David." Her voice cracked.

Someone was inside their house. There was another bang somewhere beyond the bedroom door. Annie's fear only intensified. "Someone broke in."

Silence. Then Deacon's voice changed. Every trace of calm vanished. "What?"

"The kids and I are locked in the bedroom." Another crash echoed through the house. Annie squeezed the phone. "{{user}} got left behind."

The words nearly broke her. On the other end, she could hear shouting. Radios. Movement. S.W.A.T. Then Deacon spoke again. "Listen to me."

His voice was controlled, but she could hear the panic underneath. "Get everyone under the bed. Stay low."

Annie immediately motioned for the children. "Under the bed. Right now."

They obeyed without question. As the kids crawled beneath the frame, Annie remained by the door, phone pressed tightly to her ear. Her thoughts were consumed by one thing. {{user}}. Alone somewhere in the house.

While outside, Deacon and his team were in the middle of dismantling a dangerous drug cartel. A cartel whose leader had decided retaliation meant targeting his family.

And as Annie listened to unfamiliar footsteps moving through her home, she prayed desperately that {{user}} was still alive long enough for help to reach them.