Pepper’s eyes were on his face, a mirror of Ginger’s. His heart contracted. He didn’t have time to gather her into his arms and reassure her like he was doing with the baby, but he never wanted to see that look in her eyes again.

He slipped a gun from his boot and a knife, handing both to Pepper. “Stay quiet. We’ll get rid of them. They can get in through the windows, but you’ll know they’re comin’ if they try it. And they won’ be happy. Grand-mere planted stingin’ nettles under all the windows to keep us from slippin’ out at night.”

“Take this out of my arm. I have to be able to move,” she said.

There was no nonsense in her voice, and he knew if he didn’t remove the catheter, she would do so herself. She looked different. He could still feel her pain beating at him, but it didn’t show in her eyes or her body. She was all warrior. After one flash of sheer terror, she was all steel – all business. That was the moment he believed in her.

Good girl. We’ve got this, sugar. Don’ you worry. They aren’ takin’ our baby from us. Not now, not ever.

Pepper didn’t answer him, but while he removed the needle and set the rigging out of the way to give her more freedom of movement, her gaze clung to his. At his reassurance, she nodded, just as determined as he was.

“Stay quiet,” he repeated. “And know who you’re shootin’ before you pull the trigger. Nonny’s with us and she has a tendency to rush into the middle of the fray.”

Pepper nodded. “Just be careful, Wyatt.”

Wyatt turned to go, but caught the baby’s look. Anxiety was there. Fear. The baby was terrified that they would take her back to the laboratory. He leaned down and brushed a kiss across the baby’s forehead, his heart turning over.

“You’re about to learn votre pere is a badass, Ginger.” He kissed her again, avoiding Pepper’s gaze and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

He felt like he had his own family. Stupid really. He’d always had a family. Pepper and Ginger were the ones who didn’t know what that felt like, but he was the one with the lump in his throat and the fire in his veins and belly to protect them.

“Nonny, the guards are approachin’ the house. Get your pipe and your shotgun and sit here in the parlor, right in this chair,” he instructed, patting the one in the corner away from the windows. “Keep the music on. Zeke is on the roof and Malichai is goin’ to be circlin’ around behind them. He’ll take out anyone creepin’ around the back windows.” He kissed the top of his grandmother’s head as she settled in the chair without a murmur. “And, Nonny, thank you for plantin’ those nettles at the window. They’re suddenly mighty handy.”

“Don’ you worry none about me, boy. I can shoot the wings off a fly if I have to. No one’s gonna be takin’ your woman or child from this house.” There was determination in her voice.

Wyatt’s heart contracted painfully. Everything he needed to be happy was in this house. Everything but his two other children. It didn’t have to make sense to him that he was already bonded to them. He was a family man and he’d always secretly longed to have a woman like his sister-in-law. She was loyal and courageous and she loved his brother with every fiber of her soul. He had tried hard to get that from Joy and had failed utterly. Now he knew why. It had taken three little vipers in jeopardy to open his eyes. Three little girls with a mother made of steel and silk.

He went to the door. Pepper, can you hear me?

Yes.

I’m sorry for doubtin’ you. I didn’ want to see what was right under my nose. I don’ trust so easily.

Amusement flooded his mind, warming him. I got that about you. Not that I blame you. I’m struggling a little bit with this setup myself.

We seem to communicate quite well this way. Maybe talkin’ aloud should be banned. They’re close, honey. Keep the baby quiet.

She’ll stay quiet, but I’ve been thinking about all of this and what you said. If you’re right and someone orchestrated all this, then it’s really about you, not us. Not the children or me, but maybe they need you for something.

I think you’re right about that. But even if I figure out the answer, and I’m goin’ to try, they aren’t goin’ to get the results. Wyatt stepped out onto the porch. It was easy enough to hear the approach of the guards. They were coming up the canal in an airboat, a nice fancy one. Fast. He recognized the make and model. He’d always wanted one.

You have figured this out already, haven’t you? Why we were brought here?

I think so. The problem with Whitney is he can’ ever figure out what makes humans tick. He doesn’ get relationships or how people bond. How they fall in love or feel the need to protect their children. He can’t get what he wants until he knows why we all do what we do.

He could smell them now. They were wary, but they weren’t afraid. And that was a mistake. They figured they had him outnumbered.

They brought the dog with them, Ezekiel reported. They want it to sniff out the baby and Pepper. I can control it, but maybe you ought to take it this time. I practiced enough last night. Right now I’m itching to squeeze this trigger. I can take out maybe three of them for sure, maybe four before they can take cover.

A little bloodthirsty this mornin’? Wyatt inquired. He tried to include Pepper in the conversation, building a bridge so she would know what was going on at all times. Don’ be shootin’ anyone until we know what they want.