Sam nodded. “Those are my priorities too.”

Hank checked with his siblings. Both of them gave him a little nod. Hank proceeded. “We need to find a way to remove Clemens from power.”

“Good luck with that,” Sam said.

Titus snorted softly. “We could call Van. See if he’d like to do a drive-by scorching.”

Ivan Tsvetkov was a dragon shifter, and technically still a resident of Nocturne Falls, although he lived here only part time since he’d joined the MMA fight circuit.

Hank barked out a laugh. “If only it was that easy. No, we’ll figure something out. I’ll discuss it with Dad, see if he has any ideas.”

Bridget blew her hair out of her eyes. “In the meantime, what are we going to do about the challenge tonight? Are you sure you can take this guy?”

Hank nodded. “Yes. But on the slim chance things don’t go my way…” He glanced at the door. “Prescott doesn’t leave here with Charlie under any circumstances.”

Sam nodded. “That’s for damn sure.”

Bridget and Titus both leaned in. Titus spoke first. “What do you want us to do?”

Hank frowned. “This goes against my oath of office, but this isn’t something governed by human law. Charlie is a Merrow now, and we protect our own.”

“Damn straight.” Titus pounded his fist on the table.

“Are you saying what I think you are?” Bridget asked.

Hank looked at her, then Titus, then Sam. “I’m saying Prescott does not leave with Charlie. Stop him by whatever means you think necessary. Including lethal force.”

A large chalk circle marked the clearing where the decision about Charlie’s future would be made. With Bridget at her side, Ivy tipped her head back to look at the moon. It had begun its waning cycle, but was still very bright and full. Moonlight usually gave her peace.

But tonight was not a usual night. Tonight was the night that the life of her child had suddenly become a prize to be won. The night when the man she loved was putting his own life at risk to make sure her son remained her son. She tried to take comfort in the fact that Hank was strong and tough and trained beyond the average shifter. She also knew that he thought of Charlie as his son too now, whereas Eric just saw Charlie as a paycheck.

But that also meant Eric was willing to do anything for money. And to Ivy, that made him unpredictable. What else would he be willing to do? She’d stopped trusting him the day he’d told her he couldn’t be tied down to a kid and had systematically removed her from his life.

She’d never hated Eric exactly. Felt betrayed by him. Considered him a loser. And a jerk. She wasn’t the first woman to get pregnant and have a guy ditch her. It happened. And she’d gotten Charlie out of it, so clearly she’d come out ahead. But after Birdie had shared the financial information she’d uncovered, Ivy’s feelings toward Eric had hit a solid level of contempt. A man who’d try to take an innocent child away from his mother just to get paid? Eric and her father were a match made in hell.

Delaney Ellingham walked up to her and Bridget. Her eyes held sympathy. “I hope you don’t mind me being here. You know I am completely on your side.”

Ivy nodded but couldn’t muster a smile. “I appreciate the support.”

Concern bracketed Delaney’s mouth. “How are you doing?”

Ivy took a deep breath and told the truth. “Not great.”

“I bet not. I wish there was something I could do to help. I’m sure Hank’s going to beat this guy easily.”

“Thanks. It was nice of you to come.” She didn’t know Delaney that well yet, but the fact that the woman had shown up for moral support meant a lot to Ivy. Granted, her husband was here, but that didn’t mean Delaney was required to come.

Delaney didn’t leave. “Can I stand with you guys?”

“Of course.” Ivy took some comfort in that. Friends were good. “The wedding cake was really great. So were all the extra sweets. Thanks again for that.”

“Anytime,” Delaney said. Then she laughed. “I mean for regular cake. Not wedding cake. Because there’s no reason you’d be getting married again.” She cringed as if questioning her own words. “I mean…did you know the Tootsie Roll was the first penny candy that was sold in a wrapper?”

Ivy’s brows lifted slightly. “Can’t say that I did.”

Delaney sighed. “Sorry. I blurt random facts about candy when I’m nervous.”

Ivy smiled despite her mood. “It’s okay. I really do appreciate you being here. I don’t know a lot of people in town.”

Delaney’s smile brightened. “We’ll fix that. Just as soon as we get past this.”

Sam walked into the clearing. He gave Ivy a little wave. She waved back. He came toward her, glancing once or twice at her, then Bridget, but stopped several feet away. Like he wasn’t sure if he’d be interrupting.

She looked at him, then nodded at the space beside Bridget. He just shrugged and kept his distance.

Bridget nudged Ivy with her elbow. “You want us to leave you alone? So you can talk to your brother?”

“No, he’ll come over when he wants to.” She threw Sam another look.

He started walking toward them again, looking a little sheepish. Ivy got the distinct feeling it had everything to do with Bridget and nothing to do with any kind of remaining strain between them as siblings.