He lurched to his feet, unable to sit any longer. Unable to pretend to be calm and unafraid. He waved at his little brother, signing that he was going to the bathroom.

I just need a minute. Just a minute, that’s all. He closed himself in the small bathroom and stared at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes were wide. Wild. He’d scare Joshua if he went back out looking like this.

Run. Every nerve in his body was telling him to run. To lead this monster as far from Joshua as he could. But that was what the man wanted. Michael understood that. His stepfather’s killer supposedly couldn’t get into this house with its security system designed by Deacon himself. So he’s trying to lure me out.

Michael also understood that as soon as he stepped out of the house he’d be dead. And then no one would watch over Joshua.

Actually, that wasn’t true, he thought. Coach would. Dani would. Her friends would. Still, Michael had no desire to be dead. So I’ll stay put.

He splashed cold water on his face, then drew several deep breaths, just like Dani had shown him the day he’d gone to the police station.

When was that? Less than two days ago. This is insane. My life is insane.

Drying his face, he returned to the cozy basement room, where Faith was now sitting on the floor with Joshua, rubbing his back comfortingly.

“See?” she signed. “I told you he’d only be a minute.” She gave Michael an approving nod. “I think we should have more cookies.”

That made Joshua grin, and Michael forced himself to smile. He sat on the sofa and forced himself to wait. Forced himself to breathe. Forced himself to eat a cookie. And to wait some more.

Deacon finally returned to them, expression grim and clothes smelling like smoke. But he, too, forced a smile for Joshua. “Did you save me any cookies?”

Joshua laughed. “Yes. One,” he teased, because there were at least a dozen more in the plastic container. He held one up to Deacon. “They’re good. Try it.”

Deacon nibbled at the cookie. “They are good. Joshua, I saw a box of Legos in the toy box in the corner. Can you get them for me?”

Michael came to his feet, positioning himself so that he could see both Deacon and the toy box. He did trust these people, but he still found he couldn’t breathe when Joshua was out of his sight.

Joshua ran to obey and Deacon turned to Michael and Faith, signing rapidly without speaking. “King set a fire in the front yard. We extinguished it. He also threw a grenade at Decker and another at me when I tried to follow him.”

Faith slapped her hand over her mouth. She hadn’t made a sound, because Joshua never looked up.

“Is Decker okay?” Michael asked.