Page 88 of Point of Contact

Part of her expected them to put up a little bit of an argument. She'd never had a place that felt like home, outside of their little RV, so she imagined a person who did have one would be extremely attached to it. But Reed's parents immediately agreed. Maybe it was because his mother knew she was in over her head caring for his father alone while Reed was out of town.

Or maybe it was because they were so happy their son was finally being completely truthful with them that they were willing to do whatever it took to keep it that way.

At any rate, she was loving their new living arrangement. Especially on nights like this.

"How's it going over there?" Helen, the woman who had cared for Pierce’s niece for a number of years, sat with Naomi's son Emmett and a few of the other small people who helped make up her patchwork of a family.

And she wouldn’t have it any other way. For the first time she felt accepted. Included. Wanted.

Loved.

And that was by more than just Reed. Everyone here brought her into their fold immediately, easily moving past her previous bad behavior. Ready and willing to see her in a new light. It was more than she would have ever hoped for.

At the beginning, she'd been thrilled just to have Reed in her corner. Someone who understood and appreciated her. Someone ready to protect her. Then she met his parents and her hope grew to wishing they might all one day be some sort of the family.

And now here she was, surrounded by the biggest, most extended sort of family she could imagine.

Bess, the earliest female arrival to Alaskan Security, leaned into Courtney’s side, catching her attention. "Does this look right?" She was doing her best to squeeze the liquid from the chwinamul she and Reed’s mother soaked overnight then boiled so it would be ready to be sautéed and seasoned.

Courtney gave her a reassuring smile. "It looks great." She scanned the large island where the women who were starting to feel almost like sisters each worked at their assigned task, helping prepare Reed's mother's famous bibimbap in copious amounts.

"This all smells so good." Heidi continued working her way through the pile of carrots she'd been allotted. "I've been thinking about eating this all day."

Harlow snorted across the island where she was squeezing water from the gosari Courtney helped Reed’s mother prep earlier in the day. "You've been thinking about this because you didn't want to think about the fact that Pierce cut off your best friend Vincent."

Heidi shot Harlow a scowl. "Vincent isn't my best friend. I just think maybe Pierce was a little dramatic about the whole thing."

Harlow's mouth dropped open. “Piercewas dramatic?” She motioned toward Eloise. "Vincent shot at Eloise and Nate and stole their cars." The tip of her finger swung Courtney's way. "And he kidnapped Courtney and Reed."

Heidi stopped what she was doing with a huff. "He also," her eyes widened, purposefully swinging to where Bryson sat playing video games with Emmett, "handled that situation that needed handling." Her wide gaze came back to Harlow, even more intensely focused. Like she thought Harlow wouldn't know she was talking about how Vincent also shot the man who was trying to drag Eloise to his car. The same man who had been abusing his own sweet son for years.

Harlow squinted her eyes, jutting her chin forward. "So what? We’re supposed to forgive the fact that he fucked with us just to prove he could because he did something Reed would have done anyway?"

Courtney looked from woman to woman. She'd heard the story about what happened to Eloise and how Reed had been right behind Nate when everything went down. And when the random shot hit its target with expert precision.

It was a crazy story. One she might not have believed not so long ago. But crazy stories seemed to be the norm around here. Hopefully that slowed down a little, because she was ready to live at least a somewhat boring and normal life.

Heidi went back to her carrots, still scowling. "Yes, Vincent is an asshole, but I think he just doesn't know what else to be."

Harlow snorted out a laugh. "I hope you're not about to say you think Vincent is just misunderstood."

Heidi lifted her brows. "Oh no. Vincent is definitely a prick, and at this point I don't see that changing." She again went back to her carrots, but only because Reed's mom shot her a look. "But I do think it's even worse now because he's unhappy."

Harlow took a deep breath, blowing it back out as her eyes rolled to the ceiling. "So you're trying to argue that the only reason Vincent lashed out at us is because he’s unhappy?"

Heidi's face scrunched up as she considered. "That's not the only reason, but it definitely didn't help."

Mona, who'd been quiet up to this point, finally piped up. "It doesn't really matter why Vincent did what he did. All that matters is Vincent showed a complete disregard for the safety of the people who work here.” Her eyes moved to Courtney. “And those close to us.” She bounced her baby girl on one hip, watching everyone else work. "He crossed a line and changed everything. What we do isn't a game, and he treated it like one."

Heidi's shoulders slumped a little. "I know. I shouldn't feel bad for him, but he's like that mean-as-shit dog at the Humane Society. You want to save them even though he would absolutely bite the hand that feeds him."

Harlow's lips pressed into a considering line as her head tipped. "That's actually a really good comparison."

Heidi smiled, perking up the tiniest bit. "Thanks."

That was what Courtney loved most about this group. They all had opinions. Every woman in this room had strong feelings and alliances. They were quick to protect the men they loved, but also quick to see someone else's point of view. To admit they were wrong and move on with no hard feelings and no judgment.

They almost made her grateful for everything it took to get to this point. Almost. She still wasn't particularly thrilled over nearly being blown up and having the head of a covert, government-adjacent group kidnap her.

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