“So…” Hawk took a sip of his coffee, gave her a considering look, then turned to point at the garage door at the end of the hall. “Bad guys are busting in from there. What do you do?”

“What?” Just the question sent ice up her spine. Then the momentary chilling fear turned into annoyance. “Seriously? I haven’t even had coffee yet.”

He snorted and turned toward the garage door to call, “Guys, no shooting till the target gets coffee.”

When he raised an eyebrow at her, she wanted to yell at him. That he wasn’t being fair, that—

Life wasn’t fair.

Well…darn it, anyway.

She crossed the room to join him at the island, and okay, maybe she glared at him. A little.

His lips twitched with his amusement.

With a loud sigh, she put an arm around Aric, hugging him to her so she’d remember what was important. “I’d grab Aric and run out the deck door to whoever is home to warn them.”

“Good try.” He pointed at the coffee as an obvious reward.

She poured herself some and wrinkled her nose at the pitch-black color.

“Sugar.” He pointed to canisters on the counter, then the fridge. “Milk.”

After doctoring the sludge to a better color, she heaved a pleased sigh and started imbibing sweet caffeine. “Why did you call my solution a good try? Instead of perfect.”

“There’re gaps between the houses.”

She frowned. A gap meant someone on the road could see her and Aric. And take a shot. “Oh. Right.” That really wasn’t good. “Okay.”

“If you’re here alone?”

Her hands clenched at the terrifying thought. Having people around was one of her safety blankets. To be here alone and have men come in. What if Nabera…

“Kit.” Hawk’s deep voice yanked her out of her head. He didn’t reach for her—just offered his hand.

She gripped his hand with both of hers. His fingers were strong. Callused. Warm.

Her mind cleared enough she could think, and she still didn’t know what to do.

He glanced at Aric. “Hiding places?”

Aric pointed to the upstairs.

Hawk nodded. “Good doors; good locks.”

She found a breath. “So run and hide and call the cops.”

“And us.” He motioned toward the lake. “After dark, you can hide in the reeds.”

“Unner the deck.” Aric made the hand signal for “go prone”.

Hawk’s lips quirked.

Kit started to smile. Apparently, Aric had hidden under the deck a time or two. “Would it be best to leave the courtyard entirely?”

“Too exposed. Mako was a paranoid bast—” Hawk glanced at Aric and substituted, “man.”