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I don’t wait for it to land. I grab the next one and repeat my actions. One after the other, I pitch all four of them across the room. It isn’t until the last one leaves my hands that I chance looking. What I see has my heart in my throat and my legs scrambling to stand.

Granger and my ex are wrestling. Rolling back and forth, both their hands on the gun above their heads. Before I realize what I’m doing, I pick the frypan up off the sink and charge over. It takes only a second for my focus to find its target.

With a swing any lumberjack would be proud of, I lift the pan and bring it down on my ex’s butt. His howl of pain fills my ears but I don’t wait to see what he does. I swing again, this time aiming for his shoulder. Except I miss.

And the dull thud that echoes around us is followed by deafening quiet. The only thing I can hear is the beating of my heart and rush of my breath. The only thing I can see is the prone form of my ex. He’s sprawled on his back, his arms and legs spread out, eyes closed.

“Oh God.” The pan clatters to the floor. “Did I kill him?”

GRANGER

Brooke hasn’t moved or spoken since I ushered her over to the armchair in front of the fire. Her gaze remains stuck on the spot where her ex lay unconscious before he came to and Asha took him away. I can’t decipher the thoughts rolling around her head but I know they can’t be good.

If I had to guess, I’d say she’s swamped with guilt. She’s not a woman who can hurt someone—even in self-defense—and have it not leave a mark on her soul.

I hate that she was forced to use violence to defend us. I know she did the right thing even though I had the upper hand against her ex. The first blow she delivered made sure of that—it made her ex let go of his weapon and once I had control of that gun, I knew I could subdue him easily.

Unfortunately, Brooke didn’t know that and as much as I didn’t want her to have to protect herself—or me—I know doing so was instinct on her part. And even if she struggles with what she did, the fact she was able to render her ex helpless shows she is capable of taking care of herself.

I just wish she didn’t have to protect herself from someone in the first place, and now that her ex is no longer a threat, she won’t have to ever again.

The second before Brooke delivered her first hit on the man who had been tormenting her for months, Asha and his men came through the door. The gun, the fact her ex was on top of me, told Asha exactly what was going on, and I doubt she’ll be in trouble for bashing her ex so hard he was out cold.

She asked if she killed him—she didn’t—but I’m honest enough to admit I wish she had. Does that make me as bad as him? Maybe. But I don’t care. And thankfully we got what we wanted without her having killed someone on her conscience. After today I doubt he’ll be harassing her—or anyone—in the future.

None of us are doctors but one of Asha’s officers was an army medic before getting out of the service and joining the Winter Lake PD, and he’s pretty sure she broke his jaw and possibly his hip, and other than being in a hell of a lot of pain on the ride down the mountain, his injuries aren’t life threatening.

I can’t say I feel sorry for him. Because I don’t.

The prick got everything he deserves.

“Do you need help fixing the window,” Jack asks, his gaze taking in the room. “There doesn’t seem to be any other damage.”

“No. You guys got here right after he broke in.” I glance at Brooke. She’s still sitting with a dazed look and I hope she snaps out of it once everyone leaves. “I’ll board it up for now. Order replacement glass next week.”

“All right. You good if I head back to Winter Lake? The snow’s coming down again.”

“Yeah, we’re good. It might be better if we’re alone anyway. She’s in shock, I think.”

“I would be too if I thought I’d killed a guy with a frypan.” Jack shakes his head. “Damn fine swing she’s got. Might not want to piss her off in the future.”

A smile kicks up one side of my mouth. I had a front row seat to Brooke’s athletic prowess, and on reflection, I have to say I’m impressed. How she managed to miss me and only get her ex when the two of us were rolling around on the floor is a miracle. I know I wouldn’t have been able to do it.

The front door opens before Jack gets to it, and Asha steps in, a dusting of snow on his hair and shoulders. “Snow’s getting heavier; we need to get to town before it gets worse. I’ll come out and get your statements after this storm blows itself out.”

Tipping my chin at Jack as he moves around Asha and heads outside, I face my friend and lower my voice. “We can come to town if you want.”

“Whichever is easiest for her.” He looks in Brooke’s direction. “You don’t think you should bring her down for Doc to look at?”

“No. She’s not injured. Physically. And honestly, I think it might be best if she stays here and helps me board up the window. Hopefully I can get her talking, and if needed, I can always call Jared.”

“He’ll have some numbers for therapists if that’s what she needs. She should probably see one after everything she’s been through.”

I thought of that already. I know Felix and Riley are seeing someone after all they went through when he was shot a few weeks ago. “I’ll organize it whether she thinks she needs it or not.”

“You can’t force her.”

“Oh, I won’t. But I think I need to talk about it too, so I’ll book a joint session.” I shrug. “It’s helping Riley and Felix to go together.”