We formed up outside the front door and Gabriel quietly picked the lock. I went first, since I was the only one who’d been there before. My job would be to get the kids to safety, while the others dealt with the men. As we crept to the living room, I could hear my heart crashing against my ribs. I remembered looking at the grandkids’ model house, being a dog and a giraffe. One stray shot, that’s all it would take. Don’t think like that.

I nodded to Colton and launched myself forward. He kicked the door open and—

Time became syrupy slow. Becker’s men turned to face me, guns rising. Good. That meant they weren’t aiming at the kids.

Two gunshots rang out. I flinched but didn’t look, focused on the children. In two big strides, I was close enough that I could see the tears glistening on their cheeks. I hooked an arm around each one, scooped them up and—

More shots. A scream. The stink of cordite. Then a female cry, and not the daughter. Gina. She was hurt. Ignore it. Ignore everything.

I reached the door to the kitchen and barreled through. I had to get the kids behind something but there were no corners or kitchen islands. I tipped the table onto its side and crouched behind that, the kids clutched to my chest.

Two more shots from the living room. Then silence. “Clear,” I heard Gabriel yell. Then clear, clear, clear from other rooms.

I peeked out from behind the table and saw JD coming into the kitchen with the daughter. I let the kids go and they ran to her. As they embraced, JD and I looked at each other. This is when I’d normally make a joke, and he’d pat my arm and say good job and I’d feel that lift, the one I can’t put into words.

JD turned away. And I knew the friendship was gone. I hadn’t realized how much I’d miss those little lifts, or how much I’d needed them.

I moved through to the living room. All of Becker’s men were down. I spotted Gina across the room. “You okay?” I asked urgently.

She scowled, going red. “I tripped over a fucking coffee table.”

Behind her, Gabriel and Colton were trying not to laugh. I quickly turned away. I was in that momentary adrenaline high you get when the shooting stops and everyone’s safe and, despite everything happening with JD, if I kept looking at Gabriel and Colton, I was going to start laughing, and I didn’t want Gina to kick me in the balls.

Then I frowned. Someone was missing. “Where’s Becker?” I asked. No one had seen him.