“There’s plenty of differences between me and Antakov.” She cupped Emma’s cheek and ran her thumbs along the smooth skin to wipe away the tears that had fallen. “Our children aren’t in our lives simply to take over for us one day. All three of them and you are the most cherished things in my life. That’s the biggest difference between me and Nicola, and my desire to grow old with you is why we’ll win.”

“You are the most romantic thing when you want to be, but I’m not forgetting that you came home covered in blood. I’m not that easy.”

“I am,” she said, making Emma laugh. “And I’m sorry. I should’ve taken Remi up on her suggestion to arm myself, but who knew there’d be killers in the yard?”

“Like I said, you attract trouble, my love, so take the gun next time.”

They had time for a couple of hours of sleep, and she wasn’t worried about Linda since Katlin had driven her to Ross’s place and was staying with Merrick to keep an eye on her and the boys. Finley had released a long breath when she saw that Linda had come back with them, and Cain could almost feel how anxious her cousin was to finish with all this.

“If you leave this bed without me, you’re not going to like my reaction,” Emma said after she kissed her good night.

“I promise I’ll be here for the good morning kiss, and we’re staying here for as long as we can get away with. I’m exhausted.” Hopefully, the pain shot Abigail had given her would last, but for now the throbbing was gone, and she was comfortable as long as she didn’t move.

Three hours later Emma showered with her to keep her arm dry, and the kids were happy to have her back. Hayden hadn’t looked happy, but she’d had a private conversation with him, and it eased his mind. Carmen and Ross had delivered breakfast to Linda and her brothers, and she was giving them the morning to decompress from the hellish night. Whatever they’d accomplished in the small town they’d settled in was burned to the ground, like the house. Starting over was never easy, but she’d try to make it as painless as possible with or without Linda’s help in return.

“You guys help Mama clean up, and I’ll be back in an hour,” she said to the whole family. Everyone had stayed in the house that night, but it was time to return to a normal routine. “Fin,” she said, and her cousin jumped out of her chair.

“Did she tell you what kind of help she could give us?” Finley asked when they were outside.