Frankie expected Bull to speak, but he inclined his head toward JJ who stood in the doorway.

JJ’s features were blurred by the stocking mask—but she was visibly female as was her strong, husky voice. “All the children from the barracks are already out. They’re being taken to town and to the authorities where they’ll be safe. If you want out of this place, come now.”

Two women stood up.

The others shook their heads, and their frightened voices filled the room.

“They won’t let us go.”

“They’ll come after us.”

“We’ll never get away.”

Yanking off her stocking mask, JJ set her hand on her weapons belt, her posture military straight. “I’m Officer Jayden with the Rescue Police Department. If you want to leave, we will keep you safe. But you come with us right now…or stay here. Your choice.”

Three more rose and stepped forward.

“How do we know it’s not a trick?” whispered a very battered young woman.

Frankie’s heart broke. But she lifted her chin. “I’m Kit’s friend, and I arranged this. It’s no trick.”

Could they find the courage to leave?

With a moan of pain, Kit opened her eyes. She swallowed, then glared half-blindly at the women. Her voice was barely a whisper. “Go with Frankie, you idiots.”

So that was Frankie’s buddy, Hawk thought. The woman couldn’t even see straight, could barely talk, but her thoughts were for her fellow women.

He had to respect that kind of loyalty.

Bending, Hawk checked the pulse of the bastard at his feet. Nothing. He’d tackled the asshole, and they’d hit the bedframe so hard it’d busted the guy’s neck.

It was a righteous kill—the asshole had been trying to kick the woman to death—yet it was one more body to add to the total on Hawk’s soul.

With an effort, Hawk shook loose of the guilt and checked out the situation.

With her staff in hand, Frankie was chivvying the PZ women out of the building after JJ who’d taken the lead. The terrified little flock detoured widely around Bull and Caz and were holding onto each other.

A few were still on their beds, unwilling to leave—true believers who’d downed the Kool-Aid.

Bull went outside to guard them until they reached the fence where the transport team would guide them through the forest.

Hawk didn’t try to help. Hell, he terrified normal women with his scars and tats. If he tried to help this batch, they’d scatter into hiding like a flock of ptarmigans.

But he could serve as a pack mule for Frankie’s damaged friend.

Caz looked up. “Need to find the child, ’mano.” He was applying field dressings to stop the worst of the bleeding.

Fuck, they’d worked her over good. Hawk scowled.