Mac nodded. “Take this conversation to the kitchen. I’ll wait with Ricardo. Gabe and paramedics are going to be in soon.”
Dale nodded, and his arm stayed around her as they relocated to the kitchen where the half-chopped vegetables sat on the counter. He pulled out a chair for her.
She shook her head. “I’m good like this.” She tightened her hold on his hip and his arm returned to slide across her back.
Yeah, she was perfect like this, holding him. She needed his arms around her right now. Well, forever would be her wish.
A smiled tugged at his lips. “Me, too.”
“So, it was a bunch of kids in the woods,” RJ stated, regaining their attention.
She frowned. “Kids?”
“Apparently, Ricardo paid them a thousand dollars to stroll through the woods on your property,” Dean informed.
She smiled. “So, no one got hurt?”
“You two did,” Mac stated, walking in to join them. “And don’t think you’re going to give me any trouble when theparamedics come in here in a few minutes to check you out and take you to the hospital.”
Dale opened his mouth, a protest eminent from the irritated look in his eyes.
Sadie quickly pressed her finger to his lips. “Hey, if you don’t go, I don’t go.”
The guys chuckled in the background.
He blinked, then exhaled. “Fine. Well-played, Sadie Quinn. Well-played.”
A second later, the front door opened, and loud, hurried footsteps echoed through the living room. “Dale? Where the hell are you? What happened?” Caspian stormed into the kitchen, eyes wild with worry and anger.
Dale stilled, then smiled. “Hey, Cas. You’re late for the barbeque.”
His brother glared. “Not funny. Someone going to tell me what happened?”
Sadie squeezed Dale’s hand in encouragement.
After blowing out a breath, he briefly filled his brother in. “So, it’s like I told you. We could handle it.”
Cas grunted then turned to greet the others with a few handshakes, before he walked closer and winced at her face, which was very encouraging. “Hi, Sadie. Sorry you got sucked into my mess.”
“I’m not,” she told him honestly as she snuggled against Dale. “I regret nothing, because it put me closer to your brother.”
Dale’s hold on her tightened.
A smile twitched Cas’ lips, and for the first time since he’d charged into the room, his gaze wasn’t so dark. “’Bout time he made a damn move.”
The others chuckled and nodded in agreement.
Caspian’s gaze turned serious again. “I really am sorry. I should’ve been here sooner,” he growled. “You both got hurt because of me.”
Dale smirked, wincing slightly. “Always drama with you, Cas. We handled it.”
“Besides,” Cooper said, “weren’t you supposed to arrive in the A.M.?”
“Think you skipped a few hours,” RJ teased.
Dean shook his head. “Nah, he was right on Caspian time.”
Cas smiled. “See? At least someone here makes sense.” He met Cooper’s gaze and cocked his head. “And I told you I was catching the first flight out. It just happened to leave this evening.”
