For a historical author, Audrey had researched what people used before toilet paper. Corn husks and mullein leaves were common. Rolling her eyes, she mentioned the commonest mistakes—like using poison ivy.

Jesus.

Discussion about the shelter battle had been postponed to after clean-up was done.

Now the dishwasher was running, and everyone relocated to the living room. A couple more armchairs were added for places to sit other than the massive sectional.

When Kit settled into one chair, JJ grinned and dumped a pile of pillows and blankets at her feet—an instant lure for Aric and Regan.

After giving JJ an approving nod, Hawk sat on the sectional closest to Kit and the kids. If talk about the PZs upset Aric, he’d be close.

Joining the children in the pillow pile, Gryff lay down with his muzzle on Aric’s leg, and Sirius, Regan’s big cat, curled up in her arms.

Even before Kit started talking about her part of the fight, the children were falling asleep.

They looked so fucking peaceful. The uncomfortable pressure in Hawk’s chest eased up, then disappeared. Even as the group discussed the fight and explosions, the pressure didn’t return.

“That’s it,” Bull said finally, concluding with the police interviews. “Might be they’ll give you a call, Gabe, since we dropped your name.”

“That fancy Chief of Police title is good for something, I guess.” Gabe grinned, then turned to Kit. “Now you’ve had some time to think about the action, what would you do differently? What did you do right—or wrong?”

Kit stared. “Wh-what?”

JJ snorted. “Welcome to your first debriefing. It’s one of the downsides of being around Mako’s sons.”

“Like you did with the children after their game?” Kit turned to Hawk as if he had the answers.

Felt…different. Good. He nodded and added, “Looking back is how you get better.”

“Everybody screws up sooner or later. But making the same mistake twice—that can be avoided,” Gabe said quietly.

He’d been their leader even before they left the foster home. Although Hawk still wanted to kick his ass at times.

Not so much recently. The bitterness of what had happened when they were mercs was pretty much gone.

“Mistakes.” Kit chewed on her lower lip as she thought. “I’m not sure what—”

“When you heard the PZs arrive, did you know how to get out?” Caz asked softly.

“Oh. Oh, I get what you mean.” She gave Hawk an unhappy look. “I wasn’t doing what you taught me—not until I got out of the room. Inside, I didn’t know what the windows looked out on or what one of the doors went to, like a closet or an exit.”

“It was a closet, I take it?” JJ asked in a dry voice.

“Uh-huh.” Kit pulled in a breath. “I messed up.”