Bull added, “We’re supposed to help him identify his emotions. Shit like getting him to talk about what he’s feeling and what caused it. Deep breathing.”

Hawk was listening intently. “Sounds familiar.”

“Like Doc Grayson’s assignments for you—and us?” Bull smiled, remembering the early days at Mako’s off-the-grid cabin. They’d experienced bad foster care homes and street living. At least, Bull, Gabe, and Caz had started with decent parents. Hawk’s father had liked beating the crap out of his kid, and from what they’d overheard when Hawk talked to Grayson, his mother had eventually joined her husband in being abusive.

“You know how…” Bull’s voice trailed off at the lack of expression in Hawk’s face.

No surprise, really. Bull had tried, hell, each of the brothers had tried to talk with Hawk about his past. And the reticent bastard had shut them down. Just like he was doing now.

Dammit.

Hawk rose. “Thanks for breakfast.” And headed out the door without another word.

Frankie looked over at Bull. “That didn’t go well.”

Over at Mako’s cabin, Kit tied her sneakers and looked for Aric.

He was in the bathroom, getting the grass out of his hair. He’d been playing with Sirius outside. “Are you ready, honey bear?”

“Uh-huh.” On his step stool, he admired himself in the mirror and put his comb down.

She stilled. Had her baby grown again?

He had. Now getting lots of food, sleeping well, and running around like a normal child, he’d had a growth spurt,

Her eyes started to burn, and she gave them a quick swipe. “Very nice job getting ready. That’s a great hoodie.” The black hooded shirt had a picture of a hawk soaring through a gray sky.

“Hawk got it for me in South ’Merica.” Aric patted his chest. “Cuz he was thinking of me.”

“Of course he was.” Kit lifted him off the step stool and kissed his soft hair. “I’m sure he missed you a lot.”

“Uh-huh.”

She adored Hawk for the certainty in her son’s voice. “Let’s get going. Hawk’s finished loading the pickup with our presents.”

Hawk was awfully quiet on the trip to town—more so than normal. But when he looked at her or at Aric, she could swear his hard face softened.

Maybe he’d just had a rough night?

Once in town, Hawk parked in front of Dante’s store. While he released Aric from the child seat in the back of the supercab, Kit slid out and paused.

Situational awareness. A car in the other lane held two gray-haired women. No one sat in the parked cars. A young couple stood hand-in-hand in front of the coffee shop. A man was walking into the municipal building. Two men came out of the sports store.

On previous trips, she’d searched out the safest escape routes. Nothing had changed there.