Barry grabbed him again but bent double when Elton punched him in the gut. “Fuck,” Barry said, letting out a whoosh of air.

Elton had his gun in his hand in case either of these fuckers tried something stupid. “That’s right, you’re fucked. Now stay away from me. We’re done.”

✥ ✥ ✥

Cain smiled as Merrick Runyon walked into the house. Cain was waiting for her in the foyer, thinking of the days they’d spent together when Merrick was the one person in the world she trusted to keep her safe. She now trusted Merrick to do that job for Emma. She’d almost given her life to do just that, and for her act of bravery, Cain owed her the world.

“Breakfast?” Cain asked as her cousin Katlin followed Merrick in. Merrick and Katlin had been lovers for a while now, and she was happy for both of them. “Then I have something I need you to do.”

“Whatever you need,” Merrick said as they headed to the kitchen. The kids were already eating and talking about the trip they were getting ready to take. “Hey, guys, ready for tomorrow?”

“We’re going sledding, Aunt Merrick,” Hannah said in a way that made Cain think that she’d forgotten all her sadness from the day before. “Do you want to come?”

“I can’t wait,” Merrick said, kissing the top of Hannah’s head.

“I have a surprise for you,” Katlin said to Hannah. “Can you guess?”

“What?” Hannah said, standing on her chair. The little girl slapped her hands together before holding her arms out to Cain.

“Aunt Fin told me Victoria is starting at your school today, and she’s coming with us tomorrow,” Katlin said, having heard what happened the night before. “Do you think you can be a good friend today? Aunt Abigail is counting on you.”

“Yes!” Hannah said, screaming her answer. She wiggled enough that Cain put her down. “Let’s go, Mom. I want to see Victoria.”

“Calm down a little and finish your breakfast,” Emma said, coming in with Billy in her arms.

Cain took the baby and placed him against her shoulder. “Have fun today and listen to your mama.”

“I’ll be taking you guys today, so let’s not be late.” Emma patted her chest and blew her a kiss. “Want me to take him?”

“He’s okay,” she said as Merrick and Katlin followed her to the office. “Did Katlin talk to you last night?” she asked once the door was closed.

“I did, and Merrick isn’t any happier than I am about it.”

“That’s true,” Merrick said, “but there’s ways of handling this. Is the bug in the living room still active?” Merrick sat and took a note pad off her desk.

“It has its purposes,” she said, cradling Billy.