Christopher’s throat tightened, and he pulled them both closer. “I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Logan stood over Todd, looking genuinely disappointed. “I didn’t even get to clock him.”
Christopher couldn’t help but grin despite everything. “Maybe next time.”
“There better not be a next time,” Logan muttered, nudging Todd with his boot. “This piece of trash is going exactly where he belongs.”
The sound of sirens cut through the night air, getting progressively louder. Christopher’s contact must have called in law enforcement once he’d confirmed their location. Two police cruisers pulled up in front of the cabin, their lights painting the trees in alternating red and blue.
Officers emerged with weapons drawn, but Christopher was already reaching for his identification. He showed his credentials and quickly and efficiently explained the situation. The officers took custody of Todd, hauling him to his feet and reading him his rights properly as they led him toward one of the cruisers.
As they loaded Todd into the back seat, he started yelling at Maddy. “This isn’t over! You tell your mother that this isn’t?—”
Christopher stepped between them, blocking Todd’s view of the girls. His voice was ice-cold when he spoke. “It is over. You’re going to prison for kidnapping, extortion, and child endangerment. The lawyers Charlie has lined up will make sure you never see daylight again.”
The officers closed the car door, cutting off Todd’s protests, and Christopher finally allowed himself to breathe properly.
The officers wanted to take statements, but Christopher shook his head firmly. “These girls need medical evaluation and their families. Statements can wait until tomorrow.”
The officers looked like they might argue, but one look at Christopher’s expression and the two terrified but trying-to-be-brave twelve-year-olds made them reconsider. “Tomorrow morning, then. We’ll need all of you at the station.”
“We’ll be there,” Christopher promised.
He and Logan loaded the girls into Logan’s truck, Trinity sitting up front with Logan while Maddy climbed intothe back seat with Christopher. She immediately reached for his hand and didn’t let go.
“Thank you,” she whispered as they drove through the dark woods back toward civilization. “For saving us.”
“Always,” Christopher told her, squeezing her hand gently. “I’ll always keep you safe. Both of you.”
The drive to the hospital felt both endless and too short. Christopher knew everyone would be gathered there, waiting for news on Gabe’s leg and Jane’s head injury. He’d messaged Holly as soon as Todd had been secured and the girls were safe. Holly had messaged back that they were all at the hospital, Isabella and Julie as well. Jack had thought it safer for them all to stick together. Christopher had told Holly they would meet them there, as the girls could get checked out as well.
They pulled into the emergency entrance, and Christopher could see the group gathered outside despite the late hour. As soon as his truck came into view, they started moving toward it.
Isabella saw Maddy through the window and broke completely. She ran to the truck before Logan had even fully stopped, yanking the door open and pulling her daughter into her arms. Both of them were crying, Isabella’s sobs mixing with Maddy’s as they held each other.
“I’m okay, Mom,” Maddy kept saying. “I’m okay. Christopher and Logan saved us.”
Holly was doing the same with Trinity, pulling her granddaughter into a fierce hug while tears streamed down her face. Jack had his arms around Jane, both of them trying to hold back the tears of relief.
Charlie appeared at Christopher’s side as he climbed out of the truck. She didn’t say anything, just squeezed his shoulder hard. Logan stood beside his truck, watching the reunions with moisture in his own eyes.
“Come on,” Holly said finally, when everyone had cried themselves out and verified that both girls were truly unharmed. “Let’s go upstairs. Gabe’s awake and absolutely furious about being drugged, but he needs to see Trinity.”
They all filed into the hospital and up to Gabe’s room. Christopher hung back slightly, letting the families have their reunion moments, but he heard the commotion when they opened the door.
Gabe was indeed awake, propped up in the hospital bed with his leg elevated and freshly casted. He looked furious about something until Trinity appeared in the doorway. Then his entire expression transformed.
“Dad!” Trinity ran to the bed, careful of his leg but climbing up beside him anyway. She threw her arms around his neck. “I knew you’d find us. I knew it.”
Gabe held his daughter with one arm, his other hand coming up to stroke her hair. Over Trinity’s head, his eyes found Christopher’s across the room. He mouthed twowords: “Thank you.”
Christopher nodded. No other words were needed between brothers.
A doctor appeared in the doorway, looking pleased. “Good news about Ms. Christmas. Her brain scan came back clear. No internal bleeding. She has a concussion and will need rest and monitoring, but she’s going to be fine.”
The relief that washed through the room was palpable. Julie started crying again, and Jack pulled Jane into another hug, both of them shaking with emotion.
The doctor continued with an update on Gabe’s condition. “We had to reset the bone in your leg. I’m afraid you’ll need several more weeks of healing time, and you’ll need to be much more careful about staying off it.” He gave Gabe a stern look. “That means actually resting this time.”
