Page 30 of All Twisted Up
Joshua had stood and picked up the puppy, holding him close. He’d been doing circles on the floor and I’d been impressed that Pete so easily recognized the little mutt’s need to go. Given this family and his ever-watchful caretakers, he’d be housebroken in no time. I’d watched Joshua open the sliding glass door and step into the backyard, taking the newly named puppy with him to do his business. I couldn’t help but linger on the fit of Joshua’s sweats as he walked away from us.
The thought hit me like a ton of bricks.Shit. I was attracted to Joshua.
Everything from the way he spoke to his sister, Barbie, to the way he looked so gently at sweet, scared little Meggie, and tried to be a fatherly example to Pete had me rethinking everything I’d assumed about him. He wasn’t the boy I’d originally thought him to be at all. Joshua was all man.
Loyal to his employer, Bruno—who’d turned out to be a jovial, older man—to his fears for his family, expressed so desperately in his eyes when we’d talked, made me realize he was someone special. He’d overcome so much. I couldn’t imagine how difficult it must be to be responsible for three young siblings. He was remarkable.
“Hampstead!” My thoughts came rushing back to the present as I recognized the booming shout of my boss, Candy Sorensen. “All clear! Hampstead!”
I breathed out a sigh of relief as I holstered my weapon and called out, “Clear.”
The Viking was striding down the hall toward me, dressed in full tac gear, looking exactly like his forebearers must have, tall, domineering, and the best thing I’d ever seen. Smith and Good were right on his heels. I’d never been so happy to see my brothers.
“Thank God,” I said, taking the few steps to meet them. I held out my hand. “I’ve never been so relieved to see anyone in my life.” I immediately looked up to the cutout in the ceiling. “Joshua! It’s all clear. You and the kids are safe.” The panel opened a little and he peered down through the crack. I smiled at him and gestured. “It’s okay. These are my brothers.” His gaze darted to Candy who lifted his face mask and smiled at him.
“It’s safe to come down, Mr. Calder,” he reassured Joshua.
Joshua nodded and then pushed the panel wide. He looked slightly disheveled and though I couldn’t be positive, a lot less frightened than when I’d boosted him up there.
He caught my eye. “I’m going to hand the kids down to you, Nash. They trust you.”
I felt my heart squeeze. I had no family to speak of, at least none that gave a damn about me, so hearing something like that felt odd. “Good enough.” I moved into position as he lowered Pete to me feet first. I took hold of him by the waist and he wrapped himself around me like a little limpet. I kissed the side of his head and lowered him to the ground. He clung to my waist as Meggie came next. She wrapped her small arms around me, burying her face in my neck, and holding on for dear life.
I moved out of the way as first Barbie and finally Joshua dropped to the ground. Puffs of pink insulation clung to their clothes, and I realized how brave they’d all been. Climbing into that dusty old attic and hearing all the gunfire as killers broke into their home must have been terrifying.
Barbie picked Pete up but when I moved closer to Joshua to hand Meggie to him, she wouldn’t let go. I met Joshua’s gaze, searching his eyes as tears filled them.
“Thank you,” he whispered to me.
I smiled. “Thank you for doing exactly as I said. You were very brave.”
He returned the smile as tears spilled over. He bent and spoke softly in Meggie’s ear, rubbing circles on her back. “Come on, sweet little girl.”
She lifted her face from my neck, staring at me for a minute before turning me loose. She held out her arms, and Joshua took her.
I looked at Candy. “How bad is it?” He knew what I was asking. We needed to get the family out of the house, but stepping over bleeding bodies would further traumatize them.
“There’s a clear path to the back door,” Candy said. “We’ve got the little dog too.” I searched his eyes, not wanting to ask. “He’s unharmed.”
“Garbanzo?” Pete asked, lifting his face from Barbie’s shoulder.
Candy smiled. “Is that his name?”
Pete nodded, wiping tears from his cheeks, trying to look brave.
“Well, Garbanzo is outside in our truck, Pete. Come on. We’re going to take you to him.”
“Okay.”
Barbie followed Candy and the others, holding onto Pete. I put my arm around Joshua and when he glanced at me, I reassured him with a smile. “Let’s go.” He simply nodded, letting me lead him down the hall, heading toward the back of the house. The bright copper scent of blood and gun smoke hung in the air. Glass crunched under our shoes as we headed through the kitchen to the back door. We didn’t pass any bodies on the way outside and for that I was grateful.
Rex and Mickey were in the yard and both wore relieved expressions. I kept my arm around Joshua’s shoulders even though we’d made it outside, relieved as hell to be able to inhale fresh air.
“Thank God,” Mickey said, coming over as I finally let go of Joshua. He clasped both of my shoulders, staring me in the face. “When we got the call, we almost lost it.”
I reached up and patted him on the cheek. “Thanks for being there, Mickey.”
Rex came over and pulled me away from my best friend, lifting me off the ground. I laughed as he put me back down. The big Texan towered over me, looking intimidating as hell in his tac gear and helmet. “Reckon you was a gonner, brother.”
