The Chase

Seth spun around to see her putting on a brave smile for the others. “Fine. Would you two like me to make you a plate?”

After they agreed to concoct their own sandwiches, Beck stepped in and approached the LAPD officer. “You don’t have to do this. It could get messy and illegal.”

Dean shrugged. “Nothing is worth anything if you don’t fight for what you believe in. I don’t know your story, but I know you’re a good guy. If someone is trying to kill you and yours, they need to be stopped. I’m goddamn good with a gun, and I’ve got SWAT experience…not to mention some friends in high places.”

Beck shook his hand, looking really fucking grateful. “I appreciate that, man. More than you know.”

“You can repay me by teaching me your single-tail technique later.” Dean winked, then wandered into the kitchen.

Seth stopped at Beck’s side. “This is good.”

“Yeah. If I don’t get anyone killed.”

He prayed they all made it out unscathed, but the terrible fucking reality was, if the battle to come was as fierce as Beck anticipated, some of them might be leaving this mountain in a pine box.

With that sobering thought, he turned to find River giving Heavenly a brotherly hug. She was too quiet and tightly strung, but she managed a smile for her bestie’s brother.

The guys fixed their sandwiches. While they were chowing down, Raine and her men arrived. Heavenly abandoned the table, food totally forgotten, and rushed to hug her friend. The two women clutched each other tight.

“Thank you for coming, but I’m worried…” Heavenly placed a palm on Raine’s swelling belly.

The brunette smiled and covered Heavenly’s hand with her own. “If I can survive Bill, I can survive whatever this is. Besides, Beck helped me out of more than one squeeze. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”

Liam leaned into the conversation. “Not to mention the fact that my lovely is far safer with us than without us. And she can’t get into mischief.”

“Exactly,” Hammer agreed, then turned to Heavenly. “How are you?”

“Fine. It’s not me I’m worried about…” She cast a concerned stare to Beck, who stood in the kitchen alone, staring out the big windows.

“Hey, man.” Seth extended his hand to Hammer. “I’ve tried to console him. You know him better. You’re close. Maybe you can reach him?”

“Sure.” Hammer clapped his shoulder, then set off in Beck’s direction.

Liam gave Seth a smile. As usual these days, his Irish friend seemed able to read his mind. “I know it hasn’t been that long, but Beck loves you like a brother. He’s worried about you, too.” He focused on Heavenly. “And you, little one.”

“Are we all going to make it?” he asked Liam point-blank.

“I can’t answer that. Decisions haven’t been made. The future hasn’t been written. But who or whatever this is, I feel their hate. It’s a”—Liam shook his head, grasping for the word—“righteousness I can’t explain. Scares the piss out of me. But we’re prepared.”

“Damn straight, we are. Follow me.” Seth showed him all the weapons he’d brought in the back of his SUV and stashed in their bedroom closet.

“Very helpful, indeed. But come with me. I have a surprise…” Liam’s smile told Seth this would be good.

When they reached the main floor, Liam motioned River and Dean to follow, then led them downstairs, beneath the cavernous house, past the wine cellar, through a false wall, and to a locked room.

When Liam opened the door, Seth’s jaw dropped. “Whoa! That’s a shitload of AR-15s, and you’ve got enough ammo to wipe out half the state. You’ve been holding out on me.”

“This equipment is better than we had in Afghanistan.” River looked dazzled. “Oh, I can’t wait to play. By the way, Dean and I brought our friends, too—Smith & Wesson, Glock, Beretta, SIG Sauer, Ruger, Heckler & Koch…”

Seth felt a cold smile cross his face. If there was war, they would definitely be well armed. No one was taking his family away from him. Seth would fight to the fucking death before he let that happen.

Dean just grinned. “Besides the fact that some of this is illegal as shit, wow.”

Seth turned to Liam. “You’ve never been the gun type.”

Liam shrugged. “This stockpile was here when I inherited the place. I discovered it on one of my last trips up here when trolling through the wine cellar. I didn’t clear it out because I had an inkling it would come in handy.”

Right now, all the weapons were about as lethal as paperweights, but Seth was damn glad to have an even bigger cache—just in case.