“Time to go to the basement, Mom,” he smiled.

Chapter 6 — The Light

Daniel lunged. He didn’t come for me. He went straight for our mother.

His hand clamped on her fragile arm, fingers digging into the old bruises. She shrieked, a sound of helpless agony.

“Let her go!” I roared.

I didn’t think. Nine years behind a desk prosecuting white-collar crime hadn’t prepared me for a fight, but adrenaline and incandescent rage took over.

I threw my whole body forward and tackled Daniel around the waist.