I got him.

And I was stunned that I got him.

He left, his men moving behind him.

I heard the sound of motorcycle engines starting up later, and my dad stayed throughout the whole while. I looked up now, and once the sound of them faded, I asked, “So what do you want now?”

His eyes flashed, and it struck me deep inside. Sadness. Emptiness. I felt it from him because that’s what I used to feel, before Cross, before Zellman, before Jordan, before Channing, before Heather, before my life right now.

A part of me pitied him, but he said, “I want everything from you, everything you’ll give me, but I’ll ask for nothing.” He stood, moving around the table, and he bent. He went slow, making sure I was okay with it, and I remained until I felt him kiss my forehead.

I closed my eyes.

He whispered there, “Be happy, Bren.”

I waited.

My eyes still closed.

I never heard him leave, but I knew he did and I knew after that day, that I’d only see my dad if I sought him out.

BREN

It was twelve minutes after Derrick left when I heard the first screech of brakes.

Car doors slammed.

Feet were pounding on the sidewalk.

There was shouting.

The doorbell was ringing. Someone was punching it over and over again.

Pounding on it, fists were hitting it and I heard from the back of the house, “BREN! ARE YOU OKAY?!”

Then, not a moment of silence where I could respond, I heard, “Dude! Check the back of the house. Maybe that’s unlocked.”

Zeke came barreling around the back side of the house, and seeing me sitting there, he braked to a sudden halt. His eyes were wide, alarmed, and his jaw tense, but then he cupped a hand by his mouth and hollered, “SHE’S BACK HERE!” He frowned at me. “You okay?” His head tilted to the side. “You look weird, Monroe.”

Huh.

That was it.

That was all I had in me, because hella shock syndrome here. Maxwell Raith left with a threat to my loved ones and I’m pretty sure I might never see my father again, so yeah… There weren’t words to summarize that, not that I would because this was Zeke.

And speaking of Zeke—I frowned and asked at the same time Blaise came running around the house, “What the hell are you doing here?”

He scoffed, but Blaise stopped next to him, raking me over, and he’s the one who answered. “Cross called, said he got a message from your brother that you were in trouble.” He looked around, scanning the backyard. “What the fuck? What happened?”

Yeah.

There was that whole situation where I couldn’t tell any of them about.

I shrugged. “I’m fine. I mean, there were people here, but they’re not and I’m good.”

I waited.

They didn’t leave.

“I mean, thanks for coming, but I’m good.”

They still didn’t leave.

They shared a look.

Zeke raised an eyebrow.

Blaise grunted. “Me too.”

Both looked at me—eerie.

Blaise said, “Sorry, but no fucking way. My brother called me for help. I’m not moving till his ass gets back and he can grovel in thanks at my feet.”

Zeke grinned, but he had the graciousness to glance at the ground. His shoulders were shaking.

“Knock it off,” I snapped at him. He didn’t, and I had to add, “Why aren’t you in a counselor’s office or something? Shouldn’t you be permanently scarred? Your frat frenemy was kidnapped last night.”

His shoulder stopped and his head snapped back up. “Thanks for the reminder, and you’re welcome. We came to help your ass.”

Like they could’ve done anything. I shook my head. “Whatever. I’m fine. I’ll send Cross to ‘grovel’ at your feet later.”

Except as soon as I finished speaking, another set of car tires were heard, pulling up on the driveway and slamming to a stop. More car doors.

More running.

This time female voices.

“That’s Blaise’s Wagon—BLAISE!”

“It’s locked.”

More doorbell ringing.

A dull-sounding knock on the door. My guess, someone was hitting it with the bottom of their palm.

“What are you doing?”

“I just got my nails done. I like Bren, but no way am I ruining my manicure.”

Someone snorted. “Priorities, man.”

Zeke snorted/laughed, and elbowed Blaise in the ribs.

Blaise groaned, his head falling back. “What the fuck?” He started walking around to the front of the house. “WE’RE BACK HERE! And what the hell are you doing here?”

They came from the other side of the house, and Blaise turned around, looking past me.

Frustration evident on his face as he started walking toward me. “Aspen, I told you—”

The body hit me first before thin arms wrapped around my stomach. A head buried into my shoulder blades. Another body hit me from the side. More arms around me.

“Scootch over. I want in here, too.” And I got a hug from the other side.

A fourth person walked around, and I eyed Jade with nearing alarm.

She grinned, shaking her head. “No worries. I’m glad you’re obviously okay, but I’m not a huggy person.”

The person behind me gave me an extra squeeze before letting go, and walked around, too. “Not true. She hugs me.” Aspen shot me a grin before turning to her boyfriend. “And if you think I hear you say, ‘Oh shit, something’s wrong with Bren. Gotta go,’ and I’m not coming to be here for her, you’re a moron. I’m not dating a moron, so I know you’re not going to question me again about why I came to make sure my friend is okay.”

Blaise glowered at her, but after a moment of both sharing a look, he sighed and held open his arms. Aspen walked right into them, tipping her head back and smiling at him.

The two girls let go, stepping back.

Angeline was blushing. I’m not sure why.

Veronica was half-glaring at Zeke, half-looking like she was eye-fucking him.

He was doing the same, except a lot less of the ‘eye-fucking’ and his hostility level was amped way higher. “What do you want, Nut Kicker?”

She smiled, and it looked like pure evil for a moment. “Look at you. All foreplay, Allen.”

Jade snorted, laughing. “Oh my God, you two. I don’t understand. I don’t understand at all.” She asked me, “But you’re okay, right? You look fine.”

“I—”

A third vehicle roared up, slamming to a stop. This one was louder and bigger, and I knew that engine.

Good Lord, I could only guess who had called them?

These guys were quiet, and I knew that so I was still watching for them. The others had stilled, but didn’t look back. They were waiting for the sounds of running, doorbell, and pounding. Nope. Not these guys. It took only a second before Brock turned the corner, his Taser gun raised and ready.

He wasn’t alone, and they were all in their bounty hunting gear, all black, vests, everything.

Hawk was right behind him, sweeping out beside him.

They saw me, saw the others, but they didn’t stop running.

The weapons were checked and then Brock ran past everyone and picked me up. His arms wound around me tight. I watched over his shoulder as Hawk waited, a faint grin showing. She looked especially Vikings badass today. Her hair was pulled up on both sides of her face and wound into a high French braid that had volume to it. She had a couple feathers clipped into it, too, and her makeup looked even warrior-esque.

“Holy cripes.”

That was Veronica. She got a look at Hawk.

“Whoa.” Then, a smarmy, “What’s your name?” That was Zeke. He noticed Hawk, too.

But Brock was putting me back down, and I heard the rest of the cavalry arrive behind him.

He stepped back, his hands on my shoulders. “You’re okay?”

I nodded. “My brother?” That was the only guess I had.

He nodded back, grim. “He called. Said you were on the phone and heard you. He said the Reds might be here.” His eyes glanced around, ignoring how now Veronica, Jade, and Angeline were all checking him out and gawking. He settled back on me, taking a step backwards and letting go of my shoulders. “I’m seeing they’re gone.”

Shetland stepped up next to him.

I glanced down, still making sure I noticed his hands, but they were hitched to the sides of his vest. He tipped his chin up to me. “See you’re still in one piece, Ball Buster.”

I frowned. That was a new name from him. I spoke to him and Brock, and for Hawk because I knew she was listening, “I’m fine. Yes, they were here, but I’m okay. Everything’s okay.” I held my hands up. “I promise.”

Big and Burly ambled up, and Veronica’s eyes got huge. “Whoa! Who are these gigantic Magic Mikes?” She went back to looking at Brock. “You look like that guy from Outlander. Bren, where have you been hiding all the delicious people? And who else do you know?”

“What’s up, Little Monroe? Nice to see you’re still standing.”

I hid a grin. “I’m good, and… I can’t say anything else.”

Brock nodded. “Got it.” His face shuttered closed, though. He wasn’t happy.