Relief fills me.

   Crow would have made it inside before Anne got to me, but even if he didn’t, I would have gotten out of there anyway. That guy would have opened the door and I would have run for my life, gone next door, done anything I had to to make sure my daughter was safe.

   The other men stay behind, and I don’t know exactly what they do, but Anne gets arrested. Her boyfriend, Smith, does too. Crow tells me that by pinpointing Smith as the weak link and using that, I saved myself and Quinn.

   “You used your intelligence to make him an ally and to save yourself and our daughter. You bought yourself the time that you needed. Sometimes the heroes aren’t the ones with the big muscles and guns, babe. Sometimes they are the ones with brains and courage.”

   God, I love this man.

   Temper drives my car home, and the first thing I do when I get there is take a shower and cry.

   I don’t know what I would have done if I lost my daughter. Without her, I wouldn’t even want to be in this world, and just the pressure and responsibility of being the one to protect her... If I’d made a wrong move, she could have died and that would have been on me.

   It’s heavy.

   “I’m never leaving the house again,” I tell Crow when I resurface. “Or maybe you should get me a few bodyguards to follow me and Quinn around. Also, I would like a few trained dogs—maybe some German shepherds?”

   “Come here,” he murmurs, wrapping me in his arms. “I’ve never been as scared in my life as I was today. My God, Bronte. If I had lost you both, that would have been my whole fucking world destroyed. You can have anything you want, I’m just happy that you’re here, unhurt. I can’t believe this happened. It just goes to show we need to always be careful, not only when there is some drama going on, but always. I think the dogs and guards are a good idea, or even if one of the brothers comes with you whenever you’re going out alone. I’m not letting this happen again. I’m not going to lose either of you.”

   I start crying again, and this time, he cries with me.

   Out of everything I’ve been through, this has been the worst. I don’t care what life has to throw at me, but bring my baby into the picture and it takes it to a different level.

   Having a child is like having your heart outside of your body, and it makes you vulnerable, both weaker and stronger.

   Nothing ever fully prepares you for that.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

   I don’t go anywhere by myself for the next week, and I know I’m being ridiculous, but I’m being cautious. While I still can’t believe something like this happened to me, I know I did everything I could to protect my daughter. I’d do it all again. But that doesn’t mean I want to leave my house.

   “Come on, we’re going out for a drink,” Cam demands when she comes over, sick of my shit. “Now.”

   There’s determination in those blue eyes, and I know she’s not going to give up.

   “I don’t want to go out for a drink. Who is going to watch Quinn? Crow is—”

   “On his way home right now and he’s going to be with her. Come on, Bronte, let loose a little. Get your ass in the shower and put some makeup on. We’re going back to Kamikaze for more margaritas,” she says, doing a little shimmy dance move. “And we’re going to do a dirty grind on the dance floor. You can show me those moves of yours.”

   I pout, considering her offer. “Can we get food afterwards?”

   “That’s a given.”

   “Fine,” I groan, looking over at Quinn. “See the things your auntie makes me do?”

   “Yeah, like have fun,” Cam says to her. “And when you’re old enough, I’ll take you out to have fun, too.”

   “Where to? The nursing home?” I tease, running into the bathroom as Cam throws her shoe at me. I have a quick shower and throw on one of my little black dresses, some hoop earrings and block heels, then listen to Cam and add some makeup, a little lipstick, mascara and eyeliner.

   “Can you do my hair?” I call out to her, and she comes into the bathroom and helps me curl my hair into beautiful beach waves.

   Crow sticks his head in, eyes widening as he checks me out. “You look amazing.” He then lowers his tone and adds, “And I’m glad Saint and Renny are going to be at the club.”

   Cam rolls her eyes. “You’re such a Neanderthal. She will be fine. And she can handle herself if any men get out of control, can’t you, Bronte?”

   I nod. “Yes, of course. We’ll be fine.”

   I remember that Abbie and Sky have also been kidnapped. Maybe it’s an initiation to become a Knight. I laugh to myself, because if I don’t laugh, I’ll probably cry.

   “What are you laughing about?” Crow asks.

   “Nothing,” I say, waving my hand. “I just realized that Abbie and Sky and I were all kidnapped—it must run in the family, that’s all.”

   Crow does not look amused, but Cam laughs.

   Crow is such a good dad and I’m lucky to be able to leave the house without any worries, knowing she is being well looked after. I know not all parents have that luxury. He gives me a long, lingering kiss goodbye, and then Cam and I head off.

   I know she wants to get me out of the house, and I appreciate that. To be honest, it will be nice to spend some time with her and the girls.

   When we arrive at Kamikaze, Abbie rushes out to meet us. “You both look stunning,” she says, taking my hand. “Come on, the place is packed, but we get VIP treatment.”

   She’s right—we walk to the front of the line and they let us in.

   I see Saint as soon as I step inside. He’s sitting at one of the private tables, Sky on his right, a bottle of Grey Goose on the center of the table. He sees me and calls me over.

   “Nice to see you,” he says, offering me a seat.

   You look hot, Skylar mouths to me, patting the spot next to her. So does she, her long red hair framing her pretty face. “I’m so glad you came out tonight. How have you been?”

   “Not too bad,” I reply, accepting the drink Saint offers me. “Cam insisted I get out of the house tonight.”

   “I’m glad.” She smiles.

   Temper, Renny and Izzy come and sit with us, and I find myself wishing Crow were here. Still, I make the best of my time out, dancing with the girls until my feet are sore and having a few drinks in the mix. At the end of the night, when Saint and Skylar say they are leaving and ask me if I want a lift, I take them up on it.

   Quinn is fast asleep in her crib when I get home, and Crow is naked, spread eagle on our bed, also passed out. After sliding off my heels, I place them in the corner of the room and strip down, then climb on the bed and crawl up his body.