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Well, the man meant it—she thought. Up to a point. She’d seen him, and men just like him, go on point when they thought they had the right lead in a criminal investigation.

He’d do it again, no hesitation. She wasn’t stupid. “I’ve told no one what happened. Please don’t let anyone know? It’s Shelby’s story, mostly. And she… doesn’t want it brought back up.”

“The men should face charges. And the ones who buried it. Let me help. Go after them. For you both.”

A shot of fear went right through her. “No. Darrell tried. There’s nothing he could do. Please…”

Mike wanted to fight. To insist. He hadn’t missed the fear in her tone.

He hated she was afraid. He pulled her close, right there in the dark.

He wished he could see her face. He cupped one cheek. “I just want to make it better for you. Both of you.”

“We just want to get on with our lives. Darrell went against the TSP once, Mike. And the blue wall—it’s real. He ended up with a broken nose for his trouble. I don’t want something to happen to my brother, too.”

He knew—Darrell was all the family she had. And it was real fear in her tone. But he made her and Shelby Jacobson a silent vow—he’d find the bastards who’d hurt them someday. And he’d drive his fist into their faces before he slapped the handcuffs on them himself. For Daryn. And for Shelby, who had risked her life time and time again tonight to help the ones she feared the most. When she certainly hadn’t had to. The strength of will it had taken for her to do that… remarkable.

“You have my vow I won’t say a word. But if I ever find out who they are—I’ll destroy them. Rip them to shreds for you. No one has the right to do that to anyone else. Ever.”

Mike pressed his lips to hers, right there on the sidewalk that had been ripped up from the storm, rain pouring down on them. When he pulled back, he looked down at her as best he could in the dark. “I’m not like them, Daryn. I swear. Just give me a chance to prove it. I’m… not the jerk you think I am. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove that to you, I swear.”

Daryn didn’t stop to think. She just nodded. There… things were different now.

She wasn’t the same woman she was before the storm. Daryn definitely didn’t see him as the man she’d thought he was before.

They finally made it to the entrance to Finley Creek County ER. There was light on in the hospital—probably backup generators at work—and four cars with headlights blazing were lined up on the sidewalks with headlights pointed at the doors to guide the crowd still walking toward the entrance.

Mike’s curse would stay with her forever. His fear when they saw the damage to the hospital entrance. The front portico of the building was just gone. It was scattered all over the parking lot.

The ER had a caved in front door and blown glass everywhere, but it could have been far, far worse. Mike hurried his pace. Daryn stayed right at his side. Until he made it inside and an older man who looked a lot like him called his name.

She’d never forget the look of pure relief and love on his father’s face. Or Mike’s.

“Dad? Are you ok? Where’s mom?”

“She just walked Sean and A.J. out. They are going to Sean’s place for the night. Your sister’s place took some damage.”

“Everybody else?”

Daryn had a feeling he would take himself out there looking for his family if he had to. Nothing would stop Mike Evers from getting to the ones he loved when they needed him. He was lucky to have a family like that. They were lucky to have him, too.

She had Darrell, Shelby, Zoey and Zoey’s kid sister, Pen. That was it. And she loved and valued each one of them completely. They were her family and always would be.

“Houston is at the station and plans to stay as long as needed. Boston’s place took some serious damage, Caspian and Lanthom were heading to our place. Dante and Nolan are grabbing Boston on their way. We… were waiting for you to check in. You and A.J.”

“She was trapped beneath some rubble for a while. I couldn’t leave her there. You know… big brother responsibility and all.” His words were casual, but she would never forget the fear on his face while they searched for his sister. How much he had been hurting.

“Sit. It’s going to be a few hours until we can get you in, son, but I am damned glad you are here.” Just like that, his dad practically yanked him close and hugged him. Mike just hugged him right back. The emotion on both men’s faces struck her hard.

He definitely was not the callous jerk she had thought he was. Not at all.