“Even before I mentioned your parents, I think Aric already realized you are kindred spirits. You, more than anyone here, understand what he’s been through. What he needs.” Zachary steepled his fingers in front of his chest and spoke to all of them. “The boy is fragile right now. Let him adjust at his own pace. As he gets to know you and learns he’s safe here, his grip on Hawk will relax.”

“Makes sense,” Gabe said.

Hawk protested. “His mother will recover and—”

Zachary shook his head. “Even when she is ready to take him back, she can’t give him the same sense of safety that he gets with Hawk. Not right away.”

“But…” Frankie bit her lip. What had she done? How could she possibly fix this? Pulling in a breath, she faced the one man she’d never have matched with a little boy. “I’m so sorry, Hawk. It’s bad enough I asked you all to risk your lives, but now, I’ve messed up your life completely.”

“Bullshit.” Blue-gray eyes, hard as New York pavement, met her gaze. “If you hadn’t asked, we’d’ve insisted.” Hawk’s gaze was on Aric, and a corner of his mouth turned up. “And you’re not messing up my life, yorkie. He is.”

“But—”

“Kit’s yours. You’re Bull’s. Makes the kid family.” Hawk shrugged. “I can deal.”

And finally, she understood why—although Hawk was so adamantly solitary and taciturn— his brothers never doubted he’d be there for them.

“Are the rest of the women and children settled?” Frankie asked. There were still a few in the municipal building when she and Bull left.

“Everyone has been taken to Anchorage and Soldotna.” Caz had one arm around JJ, the other around Regan.

“What will happen to them?” Audrey asked Zachary. “I saw you talking with the social workers. Making recommendations. Will they be all right?”

“Softie,” Gabe murmured and hugged her.

“Some have families to take them in. The rest will be in women’s shelters, getting help as they figure out how to move on and build new lives.” Zachary’s expression was sad. “Many had been searching for solutions and easy answers, which left them vulnerable to the cult. It will take them time to find their balance again.”

Frankie frowned. “What about the women who stayed at the compound and didn’t come with us.”

“Ah, you probably didn’t hear,” Gabe said. “When the FBI and state troopers got there—maybe a couple of hours after us—the compound was empty of people.”

Frankie stared at him. That was what the Feds meant about the cockroaches scattering.

“I missed that?” Bull glanced at Hawk. “Was everything gone?”

He meant bodies, didn’t he? Frankie remembered Hawk’s expression when he realized Obadiah was dead.