“You’d think.” Laughing, Bull headed after Caz.

Drinking his beer, Gabe looked around to assess the aftermath of the fight.

Townsfolk were dragging the PZs to their feet and shoving them toward the parking lot.

The rest of the people hadn’t moved. Were shaking their heads.

Probably at the crappy behavior of their Chief of Police. Fine example you just set, MacNair. Gabe raised his voice. “Sorry for the brawl, people.”

“Hell, Chief, it was a great fight,” someone called.

After a second, Gabe realized the buzz of conversation was enthusiastic. Appreciative.

“…fine teamwork. I liked the way Bull tossed the idiots to the chopper pilot for disposal. Nice.”

A young man bounced on his toes. “Did you see the chief’s uppercut? Sweet.”

“Told you MacNair was a sourdough to his toenails.” Grinning at an older woman, Tucker rocked back and forth on his boots.

Off to one side, two teens were re-enacting their favorite parts of the fight.

Crazy Alaskans.

Rubbing his aching ribs, Gabe sat down on a newly constructed picnic table.

“Do you need medical attention?” The deep smooth voice came from one side.

He knew that voice. Gabe turned.

It was Zachary Grayson, dressed in his usual all black. No wonder the guy in black had looked familiar.

“What are you doing this far from Florida? Especially with a new baby. Congratulations, by the way.” Gabe held out his hand.

“Thank you.” After shaking hands, Grayson joined him on the picnic table. “I’m here because I promised Mako I’d keep an eye on his boys.”

His boys. The grief had eased to a dull ache, and the memory was sweet. Even after they’d reached adulthood, the sarge had always referred to them as his boys.

Gabe motioned to the battlefield. “As you can see—we’re not doing so well.”

“Actually, I’d disagree.” Grayson’s mouth twitched. “Aside from Caz, you all appeared to be having fun.”

Gabe took a sip of his beer. He had no good response because the observation was dead accurate.

“I see I’m not the only one pleased that you’re no longer isolating yourself in a cabin.”

“What do you mean?”

Grayson smiled slightly. “Your town was content to watch the fight until you got punched. Then every man in the area charged in to save their chief.”

“They what?”

Grayson’s level gray eyes met his. The man wasn’t bullshitting.

“Well. I’ll be damned.” Looked like the town he guarded felt the same way about him.

“You’ve done well, Gabriel.”

Gabe smiled. Grayson’s approval was almost as tough to earn as the sarge’s had been. “Do my brothers know you’re here?”

“Not yet. Ah, I see Cazador still hasn’t found the right woman.”

Gabe followed Grayson’s gaze.