Carl nodded, wondering if numb was a good thing.“For the first time in my life, I honestly wish there was a hell so I could envision my uncle burning there.”
“Should we make them a chainsaw cake to celebrate their return?”Carl stared at him as Mateo grinned.“What, too much?”
Carl grabbed Mateo and kissed him.“Never—I mean,never—did Ieverthink Mom was still alive!”Then a dark thought hit him.“God, I wish Ray was still alive so I could kill him.”
“I suspect there would be a long line for that pleasure, if he were.”
Outside, they heard a car pull into the driveway and park.Then Tamsin opened the front door and welcomed Lu’ana and Bebe.
“I suppose we should go help her,” Carl said.He flopped back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.“I just don’t know how I’m supposed to function today with everything that’s happened.I want to get on a plane immediately and fly there.I mean, if Ray and Faegan are both dead, there’s no risk to Tamsin, right?”
His phone buzzed with a text, and he laughed when he read it.“Peyton says Badger will book our tickets, and to make sure we arrange babysitting coverage to help Tam.Dewi, Ken, and their baby are coming with us.”
Mateo stretched out next to him on the bed, lying on his side facing Carl.“This is big,” Mateo softly said.“This is life-changing in the best way possible.”
“Yeah.I mean, first Dad, and now Mom.”He blinked back tears.“I don’t care what they ask of us—the Targhees have done more for us since we joined them than we’ve ever experienced in our lives.No way are we ever leaving them.”
“Fuck no, we’re not,” Mateo said.“They’re family.They’ve not only become our family, but they’ve given us back our family.”
Carl rolled onto his side to face Mateo and kissed him.“I hope we haven’t used up our lifetime supply of good luck.”
Mateo palmed his face.“Don’t even think like that.Just take this as it comes and enjoy life.Are we done hating on Aisling now?”He smiled.“I mean, Peyton said she was instrumental in the planning and execution of the operation.”
Carl laughed.“I was done hating on her the moment I learned she’d pinged on Tamsin as her mate.But yeah, she’s earned special bonus points from me for saving Mom.”His smile faded.“I just can’t believe that fucker took them from me.”
“The ultimate in small dick syndrome,” Mateo said.“Eh, your uncle, obviously.Not you, babe.”
Carl nuzzled Mateo’s nose.“I knew what you meant.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
Badger
The day before the raid,Badger told Dewi and everyone he needed a few days to take care of pack business but would stay in contact.Fortunately, no one questioned him.
He didn’t tell anyone where he was going, except Trevor.
The first part of his journey involved a trip out west, but not to Idaho.From there he flew to Wales.And when his flight landed, he was shocked to learn that not only were Bryn and Callum alive, so was Maya.
Jake’s wife.
When he stepped out of his rental late that night and walked up to the front door, the armed guard nodded to him as Badger punched the code Trevor had given him into the lock.It beeped and turned green, and the door clicked open for him.
Badger stepped inside the entry hall and looked around.He’d never been here before, but the transformation from the pictures he’d seen was astounding.Light filled the space and gleamed off the clean floors—itfeltrenewed and revived.
The small desk in the entry housed another armed guard, a woman.“I’m expected,” he said.“Trevor called ahead for me.Will they see me?”
She smiled and nodded.“Yes, sir, they’re expecting you.Peyton’s asleep, but I can have someone wake him?—”
“No.Let ’im sleep.The lad’s well earned it.”
“Yes, sir.I’ll have someone take you up.”
“Thank ye kindly.”
She motioned to another woman, who’d been standing on the other end of the entry hall, and she offered Badger a smile.“Follow me, please.”
She led him up the stairs to the third floor, which was filled with quiet activity and at least a dozen medical personnel.She guided him down and around to the far end of the corridor, the last door, and gently rapped.“You have a visitor,” she called out.
