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back to the business of getting what they’d come for. “So, little sister, did we get all of Mama’s stuff?”
    She nodded.
    “Then let’s get your things and we’ll be done.”
    “I’ll get my clothes and Rabbit. I don’t want to forget Rabbit.”
    Brendan followed her out, kicking Anson’s hat aside as they went down the hall to her bedroom.
    When she began gathering her things at a frantic pace, he couldn’t blame her. What just happened was a hell of a thing for a kid to see.
    She threw her stuff inside the bag without folding it, anxious to be gone. The old stuffed rabbit she slept with was still sitting on her bed, so faded the pink fur almost looked white.
    “Don’t forget Rabbit,” he said.
    “I won’t,” she said, tossing in clean socks and underwear, a hairbrush and some bands for her ponytail, and then she grabbed Rabbit. “I’m ready, Bren.”
    “So am I. Let’s blow this joint.”
    She giggled, then put a hand over her mouth as if she’d just committed a social faux pas.
    “Just stay beside me,” he said.
    She hooked a finger through his belt loop as they left the room. Hugging Rabbit a little tighter, she eyed the pistol in the waistband of his jeans and lengthened her stride to stay up with his step.
    Instead of another confrontation, Anson was nowhere in sight, which elated Linny. Brendan stopped in the kitchen to get Delle’s cell phone and found it in the cabinet beside a stack of plates.
    When they got outside, he noticed his brothers’ trucks were gone, as was Anson’s. All of a sudden, he thought of the women in his apartment on their own.
    “Hop in the car and buckle up, honey.”
    Linny got in the SUV as he loaded the bag in the back. He paused for a better look, hoping to see Anson’s truck parked down near the shed or catch a glimpse of it disappearing in the trees on his way to one of his grow patches, but it was nowhere in sight. In fact, the whole place was too quiet. Not even a bird was calling. The world was holding its breath, waiting to see what happened next.
    He reached for his phone.

Chapter Three
     
    Julie was in the living room watching television when her cell phone rang. When she saw it was Brendan, she smiled.
    She’d never been in love like this before. The simple act of watching him walk into a room made her weak in the knees.
    “Hi, Brendan, is everything okay?”
    “It is now. Are you two all right?”
    “We’re fine. Your mother is a sweetheart. She’s been asleep almost ever since you left.”
    “Don’t open the door to anyone but me.”
    The warning was unexpected and frightening.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Anson didn’t take well to the news that Mama and Linny would be staying with me.”
    “But didn’t you tell him how badly she was hurt?”
    “He doesn’t care, Julie. He’s the one who burned her in the first place. For him, it’s all about control.”
    “Why did you tell me not to answer the door?”
    “Because I just found out he’s not here and we did not part amicably.”
    “What happened?”
    “I put a gun in his face.”
    She staggered, then backed up to the wall to keep from falling. “Oh, Brendan.”
    “It was that or fight until one of us was dead. We’re on our way. Be there in about fifteen minutes.”
    “Okay. We’ll be fine and I won’t go to the door.”
    “If he shows up before I get there, just call the police.”
    “Oh my God.”
    Brendan heard the fear in her voice and was immediately ashamed. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I put you in this position.”
    “No. I’m fine with that. I just can’t imagine being afraid of my parents.”
    “It happens. You’re one of the lucky ones. I gotta go. See you soon.”
    “I love you, Brendan.” But she’d said it too late. He’d already hung up.
    Now she was uneasy. She hurried to the front door to make sure the deadbolt was on, then fastened the security chain as well. Now she needed to find something that would serve as a deterrent should the need