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He’s doubled in size since I last saw him. I scratch my fingers through his scruff, laughing when he then starts licking Declan’s blackberry mouth.
“Well, I’ll be goddamned,” a male voice says. “You boys really did it.”
Uncle Atticus appears from the shadows, a wide grin on his face. He pulls Wild to him for a side hug and then does the same to Sadie. I’m still getting licked to death by Mage for any hugs.
“Please tell me we’re almost home,” I say, waiting for Uncle Atticus to make his way over to me. “I don’t think I can walk much farther.”
He chuckles, offering me his hand. “You’re home, kiddo. You did it.”
I let him pull me to my feet. Mage circles me, tail wagging.
“Where’s everyone else?” Uncle Atticus asks, looking past me. “Your brothers and sister?”
Wild grunts in response. “They’re still out there. We had to get the kids away and back home. Rowdy and Ryder went back for Ronan and Destiny.”
“I see,” Uncle Atticus says, voice tight. “Well, enough standing around. Let’s get you kids home. You all have people missing you a whole fuck of a lot.”
Another couple of minutes and we’re passing by our fenced-in property. Uncle Atticus’s RV sits parked nearby. The air still smells like charred wood and lingering smoke despite all the time that’s passed. I’m not thrilled to see what’s left of our home.
“Welcome home,” I mutter as I step through the gate.
It’s dark, but I can tell there’s not much left of our house. I think about all the memories we had in that house—playing with my siblings, laughing at family meals, sitting by the fireplace while Dad told stories.
It’s all gone.
The other buildings on our property are still standing, though. We’ll rebuild. Eventually.
“Wild,” Uncle Atticus says, “why don’t you and Sadie head over to the RV? Momma, Chet, and the twins are there. Let’s give Raegan and the boys time with their parents.” He gives my shoulder a squeeze. “They’re staying in Ronan’s cabin.”
Dakota, now free of Wild’s arms, takes off running toward Ronan’s place. I trot after him, eager to see my family. He bursts through the door first. The sound of my mother’s yelping and then her sobs greet me as I step inside after him.
Mom has Dakota in her arms, squeezing him to her like he might disappear. Dawson, sitting on the bed, grins at me. My gaze falls to Dad, who’s lying beside him, bruises and healing cuts all over his face.
They hurt him so badly.
With a choked sob of my own, I rush over to Dad. His eyes are open and pure relief shines in them at seeing me. I’m careful when I hug him because I don’t know where else he’s hurt. His fingers spear into my hair, gripping me tight.
“You’re really alive,” I say in a ragged voice. “I didn’t know. Ryder said you were, but I kept seeing you dragged behind us.”
“You saved me, sunshine. That’s my girl.”
Declan starts crying again and the weight of him on my back soon disappears. I cling to my dad, crying, finally releasing all the horrors I’d dealt with since being kidnapped. When I finally calm down, I pull back to see I’ve soaked his shirt. Dawson watches me with wide eyes, sucking on his thumb.
“Hey, buddy,” I whisper. Then I pull away from my dad to look at Mom. “Hey, Mom.”
She has both Dakota and Declan in her lap, rocking with them in her arms. Her bloodshot blue eyes are glistening with emotion. “Come here, baby.”
I fall to my knees in front of her, wiggling my way between my brothers and resting my head against her chest. She bends down and kisses my hair.
“Thank you for keeping my babies safe, Raegan.” She kisses me again. “You’re so brave.”
It takes everything in me not to start crying again.
“Where’s everyone else?” Mom asks shakily. “Are they talking to Atticus?”
Wincing, I pull back, unable to meet her eyes. “They’re still out there.”
“Destiny?” she hisses.
