At a table near the playground, Caz watched Regan climbing the equipment with her buddies, Delaney and Niko. Gryff lay nearby, having decided the girl needed his furry protection more than Bull or Frankie.

People were stopping to talk with Caz and checking how the Hermitage people were doing after the battle last weekend.

He’d noticed JJ and her volunteer soldiers getting congratulatory pats on the back. Caz approved. Heroes should be celebrated. And the way the town had embraced JJ as their own meant more to her than they’d ever know.

On a small stage near the soccer field, Principal Eugene Jones had extended his welcome to the townsfolk and was finishing with the time-honored naming of anyone who’d done anything for the new school or the celebration.

“Again, thank you for your help and for coming today.” Jones raised his voice slightly. “Now, I know we’d all like to have some music while we’re eating and socializing. As it happens, we have our police chief and his brothers here with their families, and that means some incredible music, if we can get them to sing.”

Caz eyed the stage and realized two violins, several guitars, and his own drum set were there, almost hidden in the back.

“A la verga,” he said under his breath.

“Get on up there, boy,” Dante called from the next table over. Beside him, Lillian wore a smug smile.

Definitely what the fuck. Dante must have raided Mako’s cabin for their musical instruments while the tricky Brit kept Kit and Aric busy in the garden.

“What do you say, folks?” Principal Jones asked. “Give a yell if you want them to play.”

A hearty cheer meant Caz and the others wouldn’t escape playing a set. Not that he minded. Playing for an enthusiastic crowd was like being plugged into a battery.

“C’mon, Papá.” Regan ran over and pulled him to his feet. On the way, she snagged JJ too.

“I’m on duty,” JJ objected.

Coming up beside her, Gabe set his hand on her shoulder and gave a small push toward the stage. “Officer, if I have to sing, so do you.”

Audrey sniggered. “What he said. Get moving, Officer.”

Smiling, Caz gave JJ a quick kiss. “Princesa, it wouldn’t be the same without you. You would not want to disappoint us or your town, would you?”

Although her eyes narrowed at his manipulation, she let Regan lead her forward. Because his woman had the biggest heart in the world.

As Caz stepped onto the stage, he smiled when he saw Hawk carrying Aric with Kit beside him. The hawk loved music—and didn’t care if anyone was listening or not.

With Frankie beside him, Bull joined them. Gryff jumped up and lay down at Frankie’s feet.

After tuning up, everyone turned to Gabe for directions.