and grabbed a flashlight from a hook on the wall and pressed the button, sending a beam of light through the building.
The horses in the stalls stirred, whinnying at the disturbance.
Hank hurried to a door on the right side of the barn. Another board had been jammed into the ground, bracing the door to keep it from opening. He kicked it aside, and the door burst open.
A big man with black hair and dark eyes charged through, blood on his hands and shirt. He grabbed Hank by the front of his shirt. “Sadie?”
“Is fine. As is Emma.”
“They hit me from behind. I fought them, but they won and threw me into the tack room. When I came to, I couldn’t get out.”
“At least they didn’t just shoot you.”
“They didn’t bring silencers. Maybe they didn’t want to wake Sadie,” Rafe said.
“You’re alive. My family is safe. That’s what’s important,” Hank said. “Their leader is dead, and the two goons he brought with him are tied up in the living room.”
Maddog shook his head and winced, rubbing the back of his head. “I shouldn’t have let Kujo take Lucy to his place for the night. She would’ve warned me.”
Rafe nodded. “I was about to ask. I’m glad to know she’s okay.”
“Come on, let’s get back to the house. It’s been a long night, and you might need medical attention,” Hank said.
“I’m fine. Just pissed that they got the jump on me.”
Rafe led the way back to the house, eager to get to Briana. He didn’t like her being out of his sight. Not with all that had happened.
She was inside the house with Sadie and Alejandra, standing guard over the two cartel men.
“I called the sheriff and Homeland Security,” Briana said. “They’re on their way, along with an ambulance to collect this scum.” She nodded toward the two men she had her weapon pointed at. “You want your gun back?” she asked Rafe.
He grinned. “Not unless you’re tired of holding it. You’re amazing.”
She shook her head. “I’m not amazing. I’m shaking.”
Rafe crossed the floor and took the gun from her trembling hands. “I’ve got it. You might want to sit before you fall.”
“I’d rather stand here with you,” she said and wrapped her arms around his waist.
He pulled her close with his free hand and kissed the top of her head. “I’ve been thinking about it. I really want you to stay in Montana.”
She laughed. “Why? It doesn’t appear to be any safer than Chicago.”
“Maybe not, but I want you to stay with me. Like Bear and Swede said…go with your gut. Mine is telling me you’re the one.” He frowned down at her. “Unless your gut isn’t saying the same thing.”
Her arms tightened around him. “My gut is saying the same.”
“If you really want to go back to Chicago, I’m sure I can find something to do there,” he offered. “But Lucy wouldn’t be nearly as happy as she is here in Montana.”
Briana smiled up at him. “We do need to consider what would make Lucy happiest. She’s ours now.”
“And we can’t break up a family, can we?” Rafe said, bending to claim her lips.
“Why don’t I take that gun for now,” Hank drawled.
“I believe I see headlights coming this way,” Sadie said. “And the sun’s starting to rise. Emma will be awake in an hour or two. I’m going to take her to her room and tuck her in.” She turned to Alejandra. “I’ll show you to the room Bella’s been sleeping in. It has a bed you can sleep in. You can nurse her there. Poor Bella hasn’t been too happy with the formula.”
Alejandra turned to Hank.
He nodded. “Go with Sadie, for now. I’m sure the police and Homeland Security will want to speak with you before you call it a night…or day, in this case.”
“I’ll be out as soon as I’ve fed Bella.” Alejandra and Bella followed Sadie and Emma out of the living room.
Two sheriff’s vehicles arrived with an ambulance following close behind.
Homeland security arrived an hour later.
The sun had fully risen by the time authorities left with the two cartel men and the body of El Chefe Diablo.
Emma woke. Sadie and Hank moved to the living room where Emma could play while Hank napped on the couch.
Sadie showed Briana to a room down the hall from Alejandra. She frowned. “Do you two need separate rooms, or just one?”
“One,” Rafe and Briana said at the same time
Sadie laughed. “I kinda thought so, based on all the canoodling