“You all did well. You especially. You’ve held up better than anyone has any right to expect, Michael. I’m proud of you.”

Michael’s gaze dropped, but his cheeks pinked up. Dani rose and cupped his face in her palm, lifting his chin so that she could sign to him. “Try to sleep. We have guards outside and no one has ever broken into this place. It’s like a fortress and too tall for anyone to throw Molotov cocktails. You’re safe here. We’ll figure everything out after we wake up and have some eggs and bacon.”

This got her the grin she was hoping for. “Bacon makes everything better.”

“It really does.” She brushed her hand over his hair. “Good night, hon. You’ll find toothbrushes in the bathroom. And if you get hungry, the pantry has food. The milk in the fridge is new and there’s cereal. Eat whatever you like.”

She wanted to say more. She wanted to tell him that he wasn’t temporary, that she’d fight to keep him. But she wasn’t going to make promises she couldn’t keep, so she flicked on the bedside light to its dimmest setting and left him to go to bed, making a mental note to get him a night-light ASAP.

She found Deacon sitting at the kitchen table with Adam, both men looking as exhausted as she felt. But she could hear Diesel’s rumbling growl and Joshua’s giggly rendition of the final lines of No, David! and that made her smile.

Deacon’s mouth curved a little, too, but quickly flattened, putting Dani on instant alert. “What’s wrong?” she demanded.

“Let’s wait until Diesel is finished with the story. I don’t want to go through it twice.” He pointed to a duffel bag on the floor beside him. “Faith packed a few things. Toys for the kids, some changes of clothes. She packed you some clothes, too, and all your medications.”

“Thank you,” Dani said, relieved. “I always keep enough for two days in my purse, but I appreciate knowing I don’t have to worry.”

Deacon patted her hand. “And Michael packed a Ziploc bag full of kibble for Hawkeye. He wouldn’t leave until he’d done it. The kid loves that dog.”

“I’d say it’s mutual,” Adam commented, because Hawkeye had ignored the adults, plastering himself to Michael’s side. He cast a sidelong glance at Dani, letting her see his concern. “It’s gonna hurt him when he has to give that dog up.”

“I know” was all she could reply, but inside she was strengthening her resolve to keep these boys as long as was humanly possible.

They sat in silence a few minutes longer until Diesel joined them. He sat beside her, instantly noting the tension at the table. “What’s wrong? Is it Stone?”