“He would,” I agree with a nod. “No one ever fucked with his family and lived to tell the tale.”

“Dad never killed anyone,” Beau replies with a half smile, as though the thought is entertaining.

“No one dared fuck with us before to test him,” Declan says.

“He’s going to pay,” Beau says, and swallows his glass of brandy.

“He already has,” Ben says, as he stalks into my office. We all still when we see him. He’s sweaty, dirty, and has blood on his shirt.

“What the fuck?” Declan demands.

“What happened?” I ask, much more calmly than I feel.

“You don’t need specifics,” he replies, and takes my drink from my hand, gulping the brandy, and holds the glass out for more. “I found him.”

“Is he alive?” Beau asks.

“He’s wishing he wasn’t, but yes.”

“Do you need an attorney?” I ask my friend since childhood. He shakes his head and swigs more brandy.

“Not necessary. He’s already turned himself in.”

“He’s turned himself in to the police?” Beau asks incredulously.

Ben nods and leans his hips on my desk.

“How did you pull that off?” Dec asks.

Ben simply smiles, a cold, hard smile that would make most grown men piss in their pants. “I made it very clear that it was either turn himself in, or I’d kill him.”

“You would have,” I say, with a bit of surprise, although it shouldn’t surprise me. Ben has been in love with Savannah since puberty.

“Without hesitation,” he replies coldly, and takes another sip of brandy. When his glass is drained, he slaps it on the desk and walks toward my door.

“Ben,” Declan says, stopping our friend when he grips the doorknob. “What exactly is Savannah to you?”

Ben glances over his shoulder at Dec, shakes his head, his eyes suddenly sad, and leaves without a word.

“Fuck,” Beau whispers. “This could turn into a shitstorm.”

“It won’t,” I reply. “Our people will take care of it. He’ll pay. Dearly.”

“What an idiot,” Declan says with disgust. “He did this over a piece of ass?”

“He did this because he’s an evil son of a bitch,” Beau replies. “It really has nothing at all to do with Savannah. It was never about her.”

“I’m going to go grab a shower and then head up to the hospital,” Declan says.

“I’ll go with you,” Beau replies, just as my phone rings.

Kate.

“Hello, cher.”

“Hi.” Her voice sounds tired. “Gabby is here at the hospital with Van. She’s going to stay with her tonight.”

“They’re keeping Van overnight?” I ask and check my watch. Damn, it’s almost midnight.

“Yeah, it’s late, and she’s pretty hurt. They want to watch her. Can you please come get me? I wouldn’t ask, but Charly already went home and—”

“Of course I’ll come get you.” I grab my keys and head for the door. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

***

I hate hospitals. The smell, the sounds. I fucking hate that Savannah is lying in a bed here.

I walk into her room and curl my hands into fists. Her face isn’t marked at all. The fucker was sure to not bruise up her pretty face. But her arm is in a sling, and she’s cradling it against her like it aches.

My own chest aches.

Gabby sees me first and runs to me, launching herself into my arms. Our girls are always so strong. So fierce. But they aren’t afraid to lean on their brothers when they need us.

And, as far as I’m concerned, that just makes them all the stronger.

“It’s okay, bebe,” I murmur and kiss the top her of head. Gabby is not just the baby, she’s also the smallest. The rest of us are tall, but she’s petite. And if you didn’t know her, you’d mistakenly think she’s fragile.

“I just need a hug,” she murmurs before pulling away and smiling reassuringly at Van.

“You’re a sweet girl, bebe,” I whisper in her ear. “Who has Sam?”

“He’s with Mama. She took him home with her. I called Cindy and asked her to watch the inn for tonight.”

I inwardly cringe, but nod. Cindy has been Gabby’s friend since grade school.

And she spent an out-of-control, mistake of a night in my bed.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, as I lean in and plant my lips on Van’s forehead. She’s cool to the touch.

No fever from shock or infection.

“Sore,” she says, and smiles as I pull away. Strong women. “I’ll be okay.”

I kiss Kate and drag my knuckles down her smooth cheek before sitting on the bed at Van’s hip.

The looks that Van and Gabby exchange aren’t lost on me. They’ll grill me later.

“I have news.” I take Van’s hand in mine and look her dead in the eye.

“Tell me.”

I exhale, wondering how much information I should give her. “He’s in custody.”

She closes her eyes in relief and her body seems to sag. “Thank God.”

“He won’t hurt you ever again.” She frowns and looks back into my eyes.

“Is he in custody, or in the morgue?”

I grin ruefully. “He’s not dead. Unfortunately.”

“But he’s hurt.”

Strong and smart.

I nod, but don’t elaborate.

“You’ve never lied to me, E. Not once.”

“No, ma’am.”

“So, why are you now?”

“I’m not lying.”

Gabby snorts and I send her a hard stare, shutting her up.

“You’re not telling me everything. How did you find him? Was he arrested?”

“I didn’t find him.”

She tilts her head to the side, and there she is. My Van. She narrows her eyes, and I know I’m in for it.

Thank Christ.

“What. The. Fuck.”

“Ben found him.” Her eyes widen, but I continue. “I haven’t seen him yet. But I saw Ben. Swollen knuckles, sweaty. A little blood.”

“Blood!”

“Don’t you dare defend that fucker,” Gabby says angrily.

“No, I want to know if it was Ben’s blood!”

I smirk. “Honey, nobody makes Ben bleed.”

She sighs in relief, but then frowns again. “So, Ben called the cops?”

“I honestly don’t know how it went down. I’m assuming we’ll find out tomorrow. Ben found him, and made him see that turning himself in was best for Lance’s well-being.”

Van’s lower lip quivers, making my gut tighten. “He did that for me.”

“We would do anything for you, bebe.” She grips onto my hand with her uninjured one and squeezes, holding my gaze in hers, and an entire silent conversation passes between us.

I love you. Thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you.

I love you. Always. You’re welcome. You don’t ever have to know what it is to live without us.

“Go home,” she whispers instead. “Take Kate home. She’s tired, but she won’t admit it.”

“I’m not tired,” Kate lies easily.

“She’s lying,” Van says.

“I know,” I reply with a grin and glance over at Gabby, who still has tears in her eyes. “You got this?”

“Of course.” She grins, the dimples in her cheeks showing. “Vanny’s stuck with me all night. It’ll be like when we were kids and I’d sneak into her room and sleep with her because my room was haunted.”

“Your room wasn’t haunted,” Van replies with a roll of the eyes. “You just liked my bigger bed.”

“My room was haunted,” she insists, talking to Kate now. “My things would be mysteriously moved. I heard voices.”

“Those voices are in that hard head of yours,” I reply and grin when she sticks her tongue out at me, just like she did when she was small. “But I am going to take Kate home now.”

“Kate appreciates it,” Kate says sarcastically. “She also loves it when you talk about her like she’s not here.”

“She’s testy,” Van says. “She’s been bossing the nurses around all day.”

“I’m right here,” Kate says.

“I know how to reel that bossy side in,” I assure Van, and laugh when Kate mutters right here, people. “We will check in on you in the morning.”

“Good night.”

I take Kate’s hand in mine and kiss it as I lead her out of Van’s room and into the hallway. As soon as we’re out of view, she pulls her hand from mine and walks ahead of me to the elevator, keeping her distance as we wait.