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“Doc, gonna need you to hand it over and get off the fucking bar,” King growled.

“Not happening,” she said.

“Haizley Walker, get off that fucking bar and give me that gun.”

An older woman stomped past me and held her hand up to Haizley. With a sigh, she handed the gun to her and climbed down.

“You’re no fun, Maureen.”

“Don’t fucking wake me up with a goddamn gunshot.”

Gunner growled as he walked toward Haizley, and she put her hand up.

“You stay the fuck away from me right now. You are all acting like children, and you’re scaring Missy, not to mention the little girl. What is wrong with you?”

“He fucked my sister,” Gunner said in a voice so low I think it was meant for only her.

“I don’t care. You haven’t seen your sister in ten fucking years, and you barely spared her a glance and instead tried to beat the shit out of your brother?”

“Haizley—”

“Don’t you Haizley me.” She pushed past him and walked over to me. Pulling me into her arms, she whispered, “I am so sorry. I’m so happy you’re here, but we have a lot to talk about.”

She pulled away and turned back to the room. “For those of you who don’t know, this is my best friend, Missy. We went to college together. She is also a doctor, and apparently Gunner’s baby sister.”

“Mellie?”

“Hi, King.” I waved shyly and then looked around the room. “Where’s Dani?”

“Mama?”

I turned around, and Ellie was behind me with Dani. Rushing over, I took her from the woman’s arms and held her tight.

“Are you ok, baby?” I asked, looking down at Dani. She nodded and laid her head on my shoulder.

“Why is she calling you mama?” Ellie asked, the anger in her voice back again.

“Because as far as the outside world is concerned, I am her mom. Danny and Dante set it up that way.”

“Why would they do that?” she asked.

“Mellie, how do you know them?” King questioned.

“I sent them to her.”

I spun around, recognizing that voice. “Zach?”

“Hey, Melissa, it’s nice to finally meet you in person,” Zach said with a smirk.

“I need to sit down.”

Looking around, I held Dani tight and moved to the first chair I saw. It wasn’t the most comfortable. Folding chairs rarely were, but I was about to collapse from everything I had just learned.

“Officers in church, now!” King shouted. “Mellie, could you join us?”

“No.” I shook my head. I didn’t want to be a part of this. I wanted to take Dani and run. But I couldn’t. Someone was following me, and I had no idea if the threat was about Dani or myself.

“Mellie.” Gunner kneeled down in front of me. “We need to talk, sissy.”