The doc sat down, tsked, and started pulling splinters out of Bull’s knuckles. “What set you off?”

“Frankie.” The heat of anger couldn’t compete with the chilling cold of loss. “She called to say her family is here, staying at the Swan B&B. They want to take her home with them tomorrow.”

“But she wants to stay here.” Gabe smiled at Bull’s raised eyebrows. “I’m not blind, bro. She loves you.”

“Typical move,” JJ said. “If phone calls aren’t enough, it’s time for in-person pressure. They brought everyone so they’ll out-number her.”

Audrey frowned at the officer. “Was your mother manipulative? I thought you said she was wonderful.”

“She was.” JJ shook her head. “On the Weiler police force, I got stuck with family dispute problems. I learned to recognize the tactics used to strong-arm a rebel into line.”

“Strong-arm?” Bull’s jaw tightened. Over my dead body.

“Bro.” Gabe sat down on the woodstove hearth. “How serious are you about her?”

“Very serious.” Bull scrubbed his hands over his face. Dammit, he’d thought they’d have a little more time to work things out. “This is your warning. If she goes back to New York, I’ll follow her.”

Gabe and Caz nodded in complete understanding.

“I think JJ and I are seeing a different side of this.” Audrey leaned forward. “Will Frankie really be content in New York? Or is she being guilted into returning—and she’d be happier here.”

He knew the answer to that—or was it merely his own wishes? Because his thoughts had been going in a circle for days now. And what he’d decided was… “If she loses her family by staying, I doubt she’ll be happy.”

“Sí, your Frankie is the kind to sacrifice herself for her family.” Caz tilted his head. “But ’mano, does that family realize what they’re asking her to give up? A job she loves, a man she loves, a life she loves?”

Setting his fears to one side, Bull considered. When Frankie spoke of her family, they didn’t sound particularly loving. More like they were oblivious to anything unrelated to modeling. Since Frankie didn’t fit into their worldview, they discounted her opinions as unimportant. Did the same with her, too, he thought.

So…if they actually loved her, perhaps if they saw what Frankie would be losing, they might halt the pressure.

If they didn’t love her, then showing them they’d have a fight on their hands might also work.

Gabe had been watching Bull, and now he smiled slowly. “Let’s do some planning. Caz and JJ, you’re in charge of the psychological warfare. Audrey, identify the personnel and resources available. Hawk will probably remain here with Aric and Regan, so don’t include them in the mission. Bull, pick the field of battle.”