Page 96 of Lethal Danger

“Flash, Alvarez—out.” Jazz kept her Sig aimed at Flash’s prey as the K-9s released their holds and returned to their partners. “Good job, boys. We’ll take it from here.”

“Got zip ties on you?”

Jazz didn’t take her eyes from the men to answer Nev. “Contrary to popular belief, I don’t sleep with them.”

Nev snorted. “Too bad. I’ll cover while you get some.”

“Roger.”

With a gun in hand, two K-9s, and six feet between her and them, Nev’s PTSD shouldn’t be triggered if Jazz left her alone. Especially now that Nev was doing so much better coping.

Commanding Flash to stand guard, Jazz dashed to her room, grabbed zip ties from her backpack, and returned in seconds. She had the men’s wrists tied behind their backs shortly after.

“What do you think?” Jazz gestured to the gaping dark opening that revealed the night outside. The crash that had woken them had apparently been the thugs kicking in the door, which now lay on the floor. “It’s seamless indoor/outdoor access.”

A cool breeze drifted in, along with the sound of crickets.

“Yeah, so chic.” Nev rolled her eyes. “Cover them while I call everyone.” Nev lowered her Sig and disappeared, reemerging soon with her cell phone.

She wasn’t kidding about everyone.

Jazz moved to sit on the short bench along one wall while Nev phoned Phoenix, the police, and then Branson. At least all the calls were short.

And so was the wait for the first arrival. Which both Nev and Jazz predicted would be Phoenix.

Sure enough, the boss beat the police. One of the greatest mysteries about Phoenix was how she managed to never get a speeding ticket. Then again, Sof seemed to avoid them, too, even though she raced through the streets like a stock car driver. Some people had all the luck.

Phoenix walked up close to each thug where they sat on the floor, wrists tied behind their backs.

They looked none too comfortable, thanks to their bite wounds.

She crouched in front of one, then the other, staring into their faces until they looked away. She was so creepy, she even freaked criminals out. Not sure that said anything good about Phoenix Gray.

Sirens seemed to sound the end of Phoenix’s silent interrogation of the intruders.

Nev went to open the front door and came back with a couple uniformed police officers and Sof, who must’ve arrived at the same time. She’d brought Raksa with her, and the German shepherd gave the bound thugs a warning growl as soon as he looked at them. Good judge of character.

Sof glanced at the kicked-in door, then smirked at the bad guys. “Little overconfident, don’t you think? Next time, try not announcing your arrival.”

“And pick an easier target.” Nev added the critique as she swung her gaze to Jazz and winked.

Jazz smiled. So awesome to see Nev’s spunk and courage back in full force, even after facing her worst nightmare. But she’d survived. And nearly a year later, she was thriving like she hadn’t for years. No denying the PK-9 team and Branson had been good for her.

“Ma’am?” A tall policeman stopped by Jazz. “I’ll need to get your name and your take on what happened here.”

“Sure.”

As Jazz described the night’s events, Nev did the same with a different officer on the other side of the small room.

The rest of the PK-9 team members filed in as Jazz and Nev finished their accounts.

A couple EMTs also showed up and managed to work their way through the crowd to reach the injured men.

“Let’s go to the living room.” Nev pointed back up the short hallway as she glanced at the PK-9 team. Though not all of them were there. Phoenix had disappeared again. “I’ll put on coffee.”

“No, I’ll do that.” Cora touched Nev’s shoulder as she gave her that maternal, concerned gaze that was pure Cora. “You and Jazz sit down and rest.” She cast the look at Jazz, too. “We’ll take care of everything.”

Nev smiled. “Thanks.” She caught up with Jazz and looped their arms together. “Guess we get to take it easy now.”

---