First, JJ’s “troop” and the six friends who’d been inside the Hermitage houses had finally had been allowed to leave. None had appeared too upset. Some, if anything, the opposite.

Knox and Erica, Chevy and Tina, Dante and Lillian—they’d competed for the most outrageous whopper of a story. Their interviewer—an FBI agent—had looked at them as if they were crazy. The state troopers had just laughed.

“Having three state representatives almost kidnapped shortened our questioning,” Bull said. Beside him on the sectional, Frankie was curled up with her head on his thigh, and Gryff lay across his feet. “Since the PZs attacked the Hermitage to capture them, there wasn’t any doubt about who the good guys are.”

“Especially when the Chief of Police and his officer live here,” Frankie murmured in agreement.

Gabe grinned at Caz, who had JJ and Regan tucked against him. “Thanks for getting the unused weapons into the armory before the Feds saw them.”

Kit rolled her eyes. The armory was not only in the tunnel, but the door was locked and camouflaged. Talk about paranoid. Yet their sarge’s survivalist preparations had saved them all.

Smirking, Caz tugged on JJ’s hair. “It is best to avoid giving the law enforcement types anything extra to worry about. Sí, officer?”

“Ooooh, you’ll pay for that one.” JJ twisted far enough to pinch his ribs, then pinched Regan too.

“Hey! I didn’t do anything,” Regan’s protest was handicapped by giggles.

“Actually… You did.” Smile fading, JJ moved to sit beside the girl. “You snuck away from where you were safe and left the Hermitage. With Aric.”

Regan stiffened, then her gaze dropped, and she nodded.

JJ lifted the girl’s chin. “I am so very proud of your courage. And I was terrified at how badly my girl could have been hurt.”

As Regan’s eyes filled with tears, she burrowed into JJ’s side…and Caz gathered them both in.

Kit had to wipe away her own tears before cuddling closer to Hawk. Her heart felt overly tender, aching as much as her shoulders did.

“I’m not sure I’m ready for kids,” Gabe said under his breath as he rested his hand ever so gently on Audrey’s abdomen.

Sympathizing with his worries, Kit whispered, “They’re terrifying,” and heard Hawk’s almost silent, “Yeah.”

After kissing the top of Audrey’s head, Gabe raised his voice. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I need a shower.”

“You really do, although, at least you’re not covered in blood. Which you should be.” Sitting up, Audrey scowled. “I saw you in the bushes, shooting as if you had a brick wall for cover instead of a few measly leaves.”

“Ah…” Gabe eyed Audrey, obviously searching for a response, then shrugged. “I got nothin’.”

“My crazy hero.” Audrey shook her head and stood. “Let’s go. I’ll scrub your back.”