“I hate that place, though,” I groaned, scrubbing a hand down my face. We’d protected my parents before, but I really hoped they wouldn’t turn up on our doorstep demanding help or anything like that.
“Yeah, but it was still a place that held a lot of memories, some good, and some bad.” Merrick shrugged. “To see it destroyed in the same way the firehouse was, and the way Tommaso tried to kill you. I’m sure it would all build up.”
He was right, any fire might not have triggered a panic attack, but a place that I spent most of my time growing up—yeah, that might do it.
“You’re right.” For some reason the thought eased some of the tension in my chest. “I just don’t want to be weak or a liability.”
“You are far from weak,” Spade scoffed. “You’re one of the strongest people I know.”
Merrick and Kellan both nodded, each of them reassuring me with their tender touches as they lulled me into a contented, relaxed state. Merrick retrieved the tablet to monitor the screens, but there was no movement.
“Let’s do a last sweep of the vehicles and then call it a night. Good work today.”
I pulled out my radio before I could hear anyone’s responses. This was only the first fight. I had no doubt that Angelo had plenty more men he’d willingly sacrifice just for the chance at taking both us and the town down. And they’d be ready for us now.
We wouldn’t back down. Hopefully there was a note in the bear from Lorenzo, and he would help turn the tide against his father. It was either fight, or risk being hunted for the rest of our lives. I was sick of being at their mercy. I’d take Angelo down or die trying.
Chapter Fifteen
Giana
Myshouldersslumpedtheinstant we walked through the front door, as though the weight of exhaustion slammed down on me the moment I felt safe enough to marginally relax. Spade’s arms wrapped around my waist as he guided me to the stairs, but a voice pulled us up short.
“How did it go?” Zane’s deep voice rumbled from the living room, only the faint light from a lamp illuminating his shadowed form.
“We stopped them before they could do any actual damage to the stores downtown.” Kellan came to a halt beside us as Merrick locked the door. “But they got to the diner before we could stop them.”
Zane’s gaze assessed me, as if he was looking for some sort of reaction, but I only shrugged. “I’m glad it was the diner and not one of the shops.”
Zane nodded sharply as though he truly understood and didn’t judge. Sure, I had no desire tokillGreg and Pam, and I didn’twantmy parents’ diner to be burned to a crisp, but would I cry over either of those things? Nope, I definitely would not.
I’d never forget the rage blazing in her eyes when Tommaso showed up at our door. The sting of her slap was a mere echo now, but it was one that was seared into my memory.
“A few mercenaries tried to sneak in through the forest at the back, but our men stopped them before they could get close.”
Of course they did. “We’ll go over the details in the morning as long as there isn’t a security threat tonight.”
“Not tonight,” Zane said, lifting a dark eyebrow. “Did you pick up a souvenir?”
“More like someone left us a present.” I grimaced down at the bear clutched in my arms. I quickly gave him a rundown of how we found the stuffed animal.
His eyes widened. “We’ll go over everything in the morning. You four look dead on your feet.”
That was a good way to put it.
We said our goodnights and thanked him for keeping watch as we trudged up the staircase. Instead of going into one of our rooms, though, Spade directed me into the room at the top of the stairs that was set up like a secondary living room. I hadn’t been in this room since the firehouse burned down.
I froze in the doorway, my gaze roving over the familiar brown leather couches. I sucked in a long breath and put one foot in front of the other. The guys followed and closed the door behind us.
“It’s weird to think this is the only connection we have to the firehouse anymore.” I frowned as I flopped onto the couch. Itwas just as comfy as ever, and I sank into the cushions, letting my body mold to the familiar leather.
“We took these couches as a reminder of what we were fighting for.” Merrick dropped onto the couch beside me, but he shifted me onto his lap and scooted us into the middle so that Kellan and Spade could sit on either side of us. I took each of their hands, letting the bear rest in my lap, needing each of them to touch me tonight. “You.”
“But now we have you.” Kellan stroked his thumb over my hand.
“I thought they were just being melodramatic until I met you, sugar.” Spade squeezed my hand. “Now I know that if I’d been here, I never would’ve been able to let you go.”
“It is getting pretty worn now, though.” Merrick frowned down at the seat, picking at the fraying edges before gripping my hips with his warm palms. “Maybe we should get rid of them.”
