Page 156 of Unseen Danger

A whoop and cheer made Nevaeh jump, and she swung her gaze toward the noise.

Bris and Sof clapped and whistled as they and Jazz started down from the halfway point on the staircase where they’d apparently been standing with their K-9s.

“We were going to ask if you’re all right, but I guess you’re better than all right.” Sof’s grin beamed.

“And then some.” Jazz gave a meaningful glance to Branson, whose arms had encircled Nevaeh again.

His eyes sparkled as he looked down at her, the happiness there matching his huge smile. “So am I now.”

“Welcome to the family, girl.” Bris moved in to hug Nevaeh, making Branson let go to give them some room.

“I’d hug you, too, but you know.” Sof gave her a shoulder punch instead as Nevaeh laughed. Sof didn’t need to be a hugger for her to know how much Sof cared about her getting right with God. The glimmer of moisture in the tough woman’s eyes said plenty.

Jazz stepped closer and threw her arm around Nevaeh, squeezing hard. “I was so worried. I’m so glad you’re okay.” Tear tracks wetted Jazz’s face as she pulled back. She let go before Nevaeh did and backed away farther with a glance to the side. As if she felt awkward or something.

“Thanks, Jazz. I knew you’d have my back.”

She nodded but didn’t meet Nevaeh’s gaze. Weird.

“Are you—”

Movement in the shadows of a dark corner cut Nevaeh’s question short.

Phoenix and Dag came into the dim light. How long had she been there, watching silently?

Knowing Phoenix, she’d probably reached the basement right after Branson. Then kept out of sight for reasons known only to her. “Sofia, stay on Johnson until the police come for him.”

“Roger.” Sof went to stand by Walter with Raksa.

“Bristol, Jazz, go help Thomson and Jones secure the others. Cora will bring the police up to speed as they arrive.”

Phoenix and Dag stepped closer to Nevaeh while the other women walked to the staircase. She met Nevaeh’s gaze with her steady blue eyes. “Well done.” Phoenix gave a nod that felt like something much closer to an award along with those words.

Pride swelled in Nevaeh’s chest as her throat clogged with sudden emotion.

“Let’s get you looked at.”

“Looked at?” Nevaeh glanced from Phoenix to Branson.

His eyes scanned her face. “You’re bleeding.”

“I am?” Weird. Though now that he mentioned it, the pain she’d felt before started to return, rapidly pushing to the front of her consciousness. Probably thanks to the adrenaline wearing off.

“And you look like you’re about to collapse.” Good ol’ Jazz hadn’t left with Bris after all. Even in defiance of Phoenix’s orders. The redhead stepped close to Nevaeh’s elbow like she thought Nevaeh was going to go ahead and keel over right then and there.

“Aaberg.” Phoenix’s one word seemed to be all the encouragement Branson needed.

He bent and, slipping his arms behind her back and knees, swept her up against his chest like she was light as a feather. Which she definitely was not.

A laugh tumbled from her lips.

He looked down at her, his handsome face close enough to kiss. “You shouldn’t be laughing. Not after everything you’ve been through.”

She laughed harder, earning a sting of pain from her ribs. “You’re right. It hurts.”

His mouth shaped into a severe frown. “What did he do to you, Nevaeh?”

She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is what God did for me. He saved me.” She scanned Branson’s face, memorizing every feature. “And He sent you to me.”

---