“Cops are outside. Even if I let you walk out of here, they’ll get you before you leave the property,” Wire tells them.
“We’ll just take you as a hostage,” the taller blond says snarkily.
“Not likely,” Wire answers.
Then all at once, Wolfie jumps on the back of the blond-haired man, knocking him to the floor. The dog’s jaws clamp around his wrist, latching on and not letting go. His buddy seems stunned as his friend screams for help.
“Get him off me, Jace,” the blond cries out.
Instinctively, I jump in front of Wolfie, blocking Jace’s view. Then Jace is knocked to the floor. In an instant, Wire is on top of him, locking his hands behind his back. Bull rushes through the door. Wire lets out a whistle, and Wolfie releases the blond guy as Bull hauls him up and cuffs him.
“Go to Remmi, boy,” Wire commands. Wolfie comes right over to me, and I step out into the open. The room fills with the rest of the Storm team and several police officers. Wire rushes to my side and pulls me into his arms. “Remmi, honey, are you okay?” he asks.
I wind my arms around his waist, getting as close as I can. “I am now,” I whisper. “Wolfie protected me. He knew exactly what to do.”
“He’s a good boy.” Wire looks down at his dog. “Aren’t you, boy? You’re getting all the treats you want tonight.” He runs his hand over Wolfie’s head. Wolfie lets out an excited bark in agreement, understanding that he’s earned those dog biscuits.
The officers take the two thieves away. One officer looks over his shoulder and says, “We’ll need a statement from all of you.”
“Can we put it off for a day?” Wire asks.
“No.” I grip his shirt. “I just want this over with.”
He stares into my face. “Are you up for it?”
“It has to be done.” I hope I sound confident, even though my knees are still wobbly.
Wire looks back at the officer. “Just give us a few minutes, and we’ll meet you back up at the house.”
The office gives a quick nod before walking away.
“We caught the third man. He was heading into the forest to get away,” Falcon said. “Officer Malone has him in the back of his squad car.” Falcon steps closer, as do Bull, Rebel, and Phoenix, to where we huddle. “Sorry, this happened, Remmi. These guys were looking to make a quick snatch and grab. They weren’t in it to find you. I’m not sure if that makes you feel any better.”
“In a weird way, it does,” I respond truthfully. “Although, I can’t imagine why, of all places, they’d choose an out-of-the-way cottage to rob.”
“Petty crooks go on the hunt for anything small. I don’t think any of the three is over twenty-one. They wanted cash or anything that they could pawn. No cars in the driveway, and the house looked like no one was home. They had no idea that Wire had it rigged to alert the entire police force,” Phoenix replies.
“The first turn of the doorknob and Wire’s phone lit up like a Christmas tree. We had calls in to the cops and were halfway here when they were going through the house,” Rebel says, with a chuckle.
“Stupid fools,” Bull grunted. “It’ll cost them, and I’ll bet this wasn’t their first offense.”
“We’ll head up and give our statements first, then head back to Storm. Take your time coming back,” Falcon says to Wire.
“Wait.” Wire stops him. “We have to decide on Maria and her kid. I think we need to do this. I’m in. If everyone else is on board, let me know. I’ll start the process, and we’ll connect with her tomorrow online. I’m going to have Remmi bring her stuff back so she can stay at my place. I need to get her security back online properly, and that’ll take time.” Wire glances down at me. “You cool with that?”
“I don’t want to be a bother,” I reply.
“Babe—” Wire lets out an exasperated breath and looks to the ceiling.
“Okay, okay,” I quickly respond. “I’ll go wherever Wolfie, my protector, goes.” I give Wolfie a grin, and he returns one of his own. Then Wire takes me into his arms. I don’t know when the guys ease out of the room, because I am too busy enjoying the sweet, tantalizing kiss that Wire is giving me.
Right, so breaking this all down, I had a great start to the day, waking up beside Wire, followed by a relaxing time creating my art, interrupted by common thugs on a petty crime escapade, ending with packing a bag and heading to Wire’s house as soon as we speak to the police.
Through it all, I can’t say I wasn’t afraid, but I’m still standing, with Wire and Wolfie beside me, so all is good.
Chapter 8
Home is with You
