Page 71 of Burning Justice

“Move it or lose it.” JoJo ran ahead of them to the waiting train.

Maria grinned, and they all followed her down the hill, jogging to the open-air car. Crew waited at the top of the steps, holding out his hand and hauling each person on board one by one.

Vince led Cadee to the far end of the car, the two of them talking. Crispin and Jade. Skye and Rio talking close, touching each other’s faces. Kissing.

Maria looked away and found Hammer and Saxon staring at her. “What?”

Saxon smirked. “Not a thing.”

“You guys are annoying.”

They both hugged her.

“Hey, back off.” Kane shoved them out of the way.

Mack looked a little lost.

Maria said, “You good, kid?”

He nodded.

She wandered to him, widening her arms. Mack stepped into them, and she gave him a reassuring hug. “All good, yeah?”

He nodded against her shoulder.

“Plus you got to fight a fire from a train.”

He backed up from her, grinning. Kane wrapped his arm around her waist.

Raine moved behind Mack, and Maria found Tristan on the other side of the train car, watching her intently. Which was interesting.

“We need to find Elias and finish this.” Maria looked around. “A lot of people could’ve died today.”

Skye pulled away from Rio. “You aren’t going to stop me. I’m quitting smokejumping.”

Everyone turned to them.

Rio did not look happy. “Just like that? We get into crazy situations all the time. You’re just gonna give up?”

“I wanna have a family.”

Rio’s eyes flared.

Skye held out her hand. “What do you say, Special Agent Parker? Do you want to have kids with me?”

Maria figured the answer was probably yes, since they were married, but her asking him was basically adorable. Kane’s arm tightened on her waist. Not going there. They might have said I love you, but that didn’t mean the future was set.

Rio took his wife’s hand. “I thought you’d never ask.”

He kissed her, and someone whooped.

Maria smiled, leaning her head on Kane’s shoulder. He kissed her forehead, and he didn’t let go.

She hoped he never did.

Kane took the fastest shower of his life and got dressed—including his shoes. Maria had told him why she looked like she’d been rolling around in dust on board that train. He couldn’t believe Elias had done that. A two-pronged attack designed to kill them all so he could escape.

He strode out into the living area of the men’s cabin, which was full of people. Couples. Brothers. Even Jubal, the dog, was in here with them, sitting on the couch, half in Grizz’s lap while Dani gave the long-haired labradoodle pets. Dani was about to go back to Washington DC, her packed bags already in the back of Grizz’s car. She was only staying long enough to see what happened next, and Maria didn’t blame her for not wanting to leave before this was done.

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