Gabe replayed the scene in his head. “No tees.” That was odd. The men had been under thirty—prime T-shirt wearing age. “None of them.”

“They might be Patriot Zealots. Their illustrious leader, Reverend Parrish, doesn’t approve of T-shirts. Too modern. The women’s clothing is even more old-fashioned.”

“I’ve seen their women in the grocery store, always accompanied by a man, of course.” Audrey shook her head. “Blouses buttoned up to the neck. Ankle-length skirts. They look as if they stepped out of an episode of Little House on the Prairie.”

Gabe eyed her. Had he ever seen her in a skirt? But…she probably only wore clothing she could run and escape in. The thought of how long she’d lived in fear was like a rough stone that grated against his heart. He reached over and took her hand.

“How do the PZs treat women?” Gabe asked. The man who’d slapped Audrey at the roadhouse was a PZ. Sounded as if the ones today were PZs. Were there going to be more sexual assaults from this crowd?

“I don’t know about their own women, but from the few who visit my bar, they act as if single women are whores.” Bull scowled. “I have Felix serve them, no matter where the bastards sit.”

Obviously, Bull was watching them.

Gabe almost laughed. Poor bastards. No sane person wanted to piss off Bull. Gabe’d learned early on just how much pain his oversized fist could deliver.

“I’m glad you’re keeping an eye on them.” It meant Audrey would be safer. Gabe lifted her hand and kissed her fingers.

“You know, it’s a relief to hear the assholes from this afternoon belong to that idiotic cult-militia.” In fact, the ugly feeling he’d had since finding the men harassing the women had eased.

Bull and Caz looked puzzled.

“The PZs aren’t really part of the town,” Gabe explained. “When I thought the locals let shit like that happen, I was pissed off.”

“I get it.” Caz nodded. “Who wants to work to create something good if the residents aren’t…”

“Aren’t worth it?” Audrey asked.

“Yeah.” Gabe rubbed his chest. Felt as if a wound had been ripped open.

“Who can say who’s actually worthy, though?” Caz gave them a wry smile. “I doubt I deserved the help I received. Especially from Mako.”

Gabe considered. The sarge had taken a chance on them—they’d all acted more like street rats than humans. “Good point.”

“You’re just like Mako, Gabe,” Audrey said softly. “You gave Knox a chance, even though he says he acted like a jerk.”

Gabe kissed the top of her head. Apparently, Knox was confiding in her during his reading lessons, wasn’t he? Gabe might’ve let Knox off the hook, but it was Audrey who was steering the man onto a new path. A better one.