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“Do it, Colt,” Dawson said.

Colt had known Asa and Dawson since he came to Blackwater. They were good guys, and as much as he wanted to trust that they could do their job, he didn’t see the sense in letting the guy who had tried to take Ben get one inch of freedom.

Despite the screaming in his head, Colt loosened his hold. As soon as his hands lifted, the man scrambled to his knees. Colt reached for him again before Asa shouted.

“Get back, Colt!”

Dawson had the guy whipped back to the ground within seconds.

Okay, so theycoulddo their job. It didn’t help the tingling in Colt’s fingers as he fisted and flexed them at his sides. He’d never been a violent man, but the fear of Ben and Abby being taken had ignited a protector instinct he couldn’t shake. Fire and carnage filled his thoughts as he kept his stare on the man he wanted to rip apart.

Three more police officers joined Asa and Dawson as they wrestled with the man. The kicking and screaming had to be considered resisting arrest. Maybe he’d rack up a lengthy list of offenses and rot in prison for the rest of his life. Colt intended to do whatever it took to help that happen.

Jennifer Freeman approached Colt, Noah, and Jerry. “You men okay?”

Colt had met Jennifer a few times but never in uniform. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her stern expression was focused on the men.

“We’re fine,” Colt said. “Are the kids okay?”

Jennifer nodded and pulled out a small notepad. “They’re both being checked out by the paramedics, but they seemed to be fine.”

No one would befineafter this. Colt would be sleeping with the lights on until further notice.

“It’s my understanding there were two suspects,” Jennifer said.

“Yeah, a woman had Abby. Probably Tasha White.”

“Colt!”

Remi ran toward him. Her red hair streamed behind her, as she pumped her arms at her sides. A police officer reached out his hands to keep Remi back, but she twisted out of his grasp.

“That’s my husband!”

Boy, did it feel good to hear her call him her husband. The kick in the gut pulled him out of the adrenaline of the struggle.

He turned to meet her. The tears streaming down her cheeks hit him hard, and he opened his arms as she barreled into him. He wrapped her up and held her tight, hoping to temper her sobs. The sound gutted him as she sank into his chest.

“I heard the shot, and I thought…”

Colt brushed a hand over her hair. “That’s what you get for thinking.”

She punched his side before letting her arm slip back around him. “Colt Walker, I’m so mad at–”

Colt pressed his lips against hers, cutting her off. Her kiss was hard and fierce until she pushed him away.

She lifted her head long enough to shout. “You scared me!”

Colt swallowed hard, painfully aware of his own fear. “You scared me too.”

Remi buried her face back in his chest. “I’m so glad we’re all okay.”

“The kids?” Colt asked.

Remi looked over her left shoulder and pointed to the sidewalk near the restaurant. The parking lot was bustling with law enforcement and bystanders now, but Colt had no trouble finding Ben and Abby in the crowd.

“They’re with Grady and Camille. I was afraid to bring them over here now in case…”

Good. Two people he trusted. “He’s gone. I still don’t know who it is, but Asa and Dawson just loaded him into the patrol car.” He raised a finger to Jennifer, then jerked a thumb toward the kids on the sidewalk. “Can I?”