IT DIDN’T TAKE long to get everyone together at Colton and Meg’s house. Though it wasn’t a celebratory occasion, it turned it into a family-like dinner as they often did. Everyone was there; it was like a moment of déjà vu or reliving your worst nightmare. But, this is what they did, pulled together when times were tough.

Declan made sure his bothers were there since they were a vital part of the surveillance, security, and tactical side that would facilitate in Tom’s takedown. While the children played in another room, the O’Reillys brought everyone up to speed. This time, there was more reluctance because they all had so much more to lose.

“I don’t know…this is too much,” Meg said. “There’s more at stake now. Our families have grown, and we’ve welcomed more friends. Can we really do this again? Isn’t there anyone else that can get this guy?”

“I understand the concern. Believe me; that’s why we’re here,” Declan said, referring to his brothers. They had as much to lose as anyone else. “You don’t just walk out of prison without a chase. Several agencies are on him, and the Feds even called in bounty hunters. That’s how bad they want him.”

“That’s good then,” she said. “They’ll catch him.”

Declan was leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees when he looked down, trying to deliver their reality gently. “It is good, but do you see any agents here? Feds, Rangers, U.S. Marshalls…anyone?”

The room was silent while his point sunk in. They were on their own, and the O’Reillys were ten steps ahead of every other tough-guy agency that dealt with this type of thing.

“We’re dealing with a man who can and has outsmarted all of them,” Luke added. “They won’t find him either. What does it say when the Feds call in our cousins to do their dirty work – they’re bounty hunters. That means they can’t find him and hit nothing but dead ends.”

“You…you don’t know that Luke,” Meg pleaded, desperately wanting to prove him wrong and discredit their theory.

“We do know that,” Dace interjected, confirming his brother’s statements. “Dec trained him. He’ll only be found if he wants to be found.”

They were right; everyone knew it. This one was on them.

“I wasn’t here for the Esteban debacle, but I’ve heard the stories. You guys handle all of my security. I trust you on this. Anything you need – money, resources, connections…just let me know and it’s yours.” Beck McCain was fairly new to McKenzie Ridge, married to Morgan who was now pregnant with twins. McCain had firsthand experience with the O’Reillys and knew they were right to bring them all together. It didn’t hurt that he was a disgustingly wealthy business tycoon with endless resources.

Another new member, or returning member to McKenzie, rather, was Stone Williams. He was a retired rodeo legend with his own heavy wallet and resources. These people had quickly become his family, and Louise Shaw, his sweetheart. He’d do just about anything for this family of friends. “Lou and I can help, too. We may be a couple of old farts, but we can help. I still got my ranch in Texas. We can get all the kids out of here, any of you too…there’s plenty of room. You just say the word.”

“I have my place in Deception Pass too,” Beck offered. “Use the jet if you need it. He can’t get everyone if they’re spread out. We can trip him up, catch him while he’s following someone.”

Declan put his hands up to halt all of the planning going on, which was more like organized chaos. “Whoa, let’s all take a step back. Running and spreading out just makes everyone more vulnerable and harder to protect. We are stronger in numbers, which means you all are, too. If things get to be too dangerous, getting the kids out of here may make sense. We’ll let you know, Stone and Beck.”

“Dec’s right,” Liam added. “We can watch over all of you at the same time and see him coming before he gets anywhere. I have equipment going up everywhere; I can see everything. What we do need, though, is a command center. He knows where we were last time, and where all of you live and work. I need something central to work out of.”

Stone smiled, and slapped his knee, happy he could offer a solution. “I got just the place. Sugar Pine Stables. He doesn’t know me; I wasn’t part of the riff raff last time, and why would he look for y’all in a horse stable. You’re welcome to it, plenty of room, and you’re welcome to stay there as well. We’ll keep you fed and bring ya what’cha need so you don’t get yourselves seen.”

“It’s perfect. We’ll follow you out there when we’re done here,” Liam said, gesturing to his brothers.

“Alright, I think that’s everything then?” Blake asked.

When Declan nodded, Blake nodded his head at his new recruit who had family ties and a military background. “Logan, I want you on Colton and Meg. They’re your new assignment. You go where they go.”

“Morgan and Dawson, I think you are the least at risk here. Your involvement was minimal, and you didn’t shoot anyone. We’re assigning rotating units to cover your houses, but I trust you’re armed and ready anyway.” Both nodded at Blake’s question.

Blake then looked to Jessie who was also very much involved, having been instrumental in taking out part of Esteban’s regime, though not so much involved in Tom’s case other than eyewitness testimony. He looked at her, as if it pained him to say it, but did anyway. “I’ll watch this one.”

“Great, a babysitter,” she replied with an eye roll.

“I’m his number one target,” Declan said. “He’ll try to get me where it hurts first, long before he tries to take me out. I’ll be Lydia’s.”

There was no loss in translation; everyone heard him loud and clear. Lydia was still his to protect and his to love. If Tom wanted to hurt him, Lydia became the target because when he left McKenzie, his heart stayed behind.

“I don’t need a live in bodyguard,” Lydia protested. “Been there, done that. Logan will be next door and Colton…”

Meg knew her sister needed Declan but was afraid to let him in. She needed to stop fighting it, and let him protect her. “Lydee, it’s safer if…”

“If what?” Lydia interrupted, feeling a little betrayed by her sister.

“I have to agree with Dec on this one. You remember last time – next door is not close enough.” Meg’s voice cracked a bit, laying on the guilt.

After a long pause, Lydia conceded, “Fine.”

“We have a plan then. Go about your lives, watch your surroundings, and everyone stay in touch. We’ll be watching and following every lead. We’ll deal with him and put him away, once and for all,” Dec said as a final pep talk point.

“Perfect!” Lydia looked directly at Declan. “Then you can leave again…once and for all.”

Lydia left the room and found herself outside, standing in front of the Lake, which was frozen over. It didn’t surprise her when she heard heavy footsteps approaching from behind, crunching against the frozen ground.

“Why did you follow me? Is he hiding in the frozen lake?” She knew she was being a bitch, but that was the point.

“I followed you because you’re upset, and I know it’s my doing.”

“Hmmm, now you’re concerned,” she chided.

Trying to keep calm, despite her relentless push back, he attempted to justify their past. “Lydia, I had to leave to protect you and Jax.”

“Yep, that’s what you keep saying, but yet, here we are…surrounded by danger.” It was a low blow, but there was truth to it, and it weakened his point.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen. I told you I had to clean up messes…”

Before he could finish, she struck again, tearing what she thought were excuses apart. “Took you long enough.”

“Will you let me finish?” He was frustrated, which meant she was winning. Getting her to understand was starting to look like a losing battle. “I had stuff to sort out and deal with so it couldn’t come back to haunt me or anyone I love. I can look over my shoulder; it’s the life I signed up for…initially. But I didn’t want that anymore…I didn’t want it for you. It took longer than I wanted, but it had to be done if I was going to have any kind of future…with you.”

“Hmph.” That was almost believable, she thought. His story was good, thorough, and well-rehearsed. If he knew her at all, he knew she would have helped him bear that burden, even from afar. But he didn’t give her that chance. He just left and never said a word.

When Declan put his hands on her shoulders, she went rigid, which pained him more than her words of disbelief. He turned her around, made her face him so she would have to see the truth in his words.

“I retired. I came back. This is the last loose end, Lydee.”

“Until the next one, right?” She wasn’t about to fall for that chiseled jaw or be charmed by his dreamy emerald eyes. Not this time.

“Not a day went by that I didn’t think of you, miss you, or need you. Everything I did, was for you – for us. I’ve been here all along, watching from afar, keeping tabs, making sure you were still safe. It pained me to see you and not be able to talk to you. I left McKenzie Ridge, but I never left you”

Lydia wasn’t a crier, but somehow, when it came to Declan O’Reilly, she was. As much as she wanted to push him away, she wanted to pull him closer. She believed him, every word, but that didn’t mend a broken heart. It couldn’t be that easy for him. She couldn’t just let him in like no time had passed, even if that was what she wanted more than anything.

“So you’ve been stalking me?” she teased, lightening the weighted mood. “No wonder I feel like I’m being watched and constantly looking over my shoulder. That’s really creepy, Declan.”

Though light hearted and joking, her words struck a chord and brought instant worry. He didn’t like what she just said, not one bit. “What do you mean?”

“It was you watching me – especially at night – I notice it most then,” She admitted, not realizing she was revealing something sinister had already begun. “Do you know how many hours of sleep you owe me?”

He smiled, and pulled her into his embrace. There was no reason to point out that it most likely wasn’t him she was sensing, especially at night. “That part’s over now. I’m not leaving you again. You don’t have to worry anymore, baby.”

Relaxing into him, she let him hold her. It felt good to be in his arms and like the world was no longer on her shoulders. She wasn’t ready to let him in, not entirely, but he made it really easy for her to let him hold her.

Declan thought about her words. Feeling watched, followed, especially at night. That sense of worry that he had been carrying around just got heavier. Declan wasn’t a worrier, except where Lydia was concerned, and right now, he feared that the danger had been here for a while, lurking in the shadows.

He would fix it – he would bring Tom Boyd down so he could finally be where he was meant to be. Right where he stood, with Lydia in his arms. Home.