“You don’t need to look for the living. You just need to make sure all the blinds, drapes, and shutters are open.”

Lisa tilted her head. “Can I ask why?”

Bennett glanced at Angelique before unfurling a cheeky grin. “Because it’s far easier to vacuum than it is to mop. Don’t you think?”

***

The winter storm had turned a one-hour trip into two, and even though Bennett had texted Max as soon as they’d left Napoleon’s house to let him know they’d all survived, that didn’t stop everyone from rushing the van once they arrived at Max’s.

Ruby had no sooner pulled up the drive than it seemed like everyone who’d been inside the house was suddenly outside. They yanked open the van’s doors, and when the women came into view, a squall of gasps hissed through the crowd. Everyone’s eyes widened, and then just as quickly, smiles appeared…and remained.

Max chortled loudly, clapping his hands like a gleeful child when he saw Ruby’s handiwork. She hadn’t seen a need to allow Napoleon to see, move, or hardly breathe, so she had taken something Bennett had said to heart. Ruby had wrapped her brother like an Egyptian mummy in the green and gold brocade.

Max signaled two of his flock, and they dragged Napoleon from the van with absolutely no concern over his wellbeing. Slung like a sack of grain over the shoulder of one of Max’s sentries, he was carried to a cell in the basement and tossed inside. However, great care was given to Angelique, and Gus gently lifted her from the van like she was an imperial Ming vase.

With the snow swirling around them, Max quickly ushered everyone into the house, and that’s when they finally saw the wreckage from the battle. The blood streaking the women’s faces had been discernible even in the dim lights of the van, but in the brightness of Max’s home, other injuries came into view. Through the remnants of their torn and tattered clothing, oozing wounds covered them all, and eyes misted from the knowledge of what the women must have gone through.

The weight of worry lifted from sagging frames slowly as brief conversations took place, and after a few minutes, Max suggested perhaps further recaps could wait until morning. No one argued the point, and the crowd dispersed, allowing Bennett, Lisa, and Ruby to slog their way to the study for a much-needed drink.

Flanked by two sentries and followed closely by Polly, Max led Gus to Simeon’s cell, and as Gus carefully placed Angelique on her feet, Max informed Simeon what was about to happen. Before Simeon could balk, two sentries had him pinned up against the wall with their swords aimed at his heart, and Angelique was free to have her fill…and then some.

***