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They didn’t even make it around to the front of building. The back door that Haven had checked mere minutes ago was standing wide open. Before the truck had even rocked to a squealing stop, he had leaped out of the back and raced inside, Aiden right on his heels. Weapons out, they entered the princess room.

Angela stood clutching baby Fallon to her, her gun in her hand. Blood was running from Angela’s right ear and nose, but she held her weapon firm. It was pointed at a man on the floor, rolling in pain. Haven immediately moved in and disarmed the man, then pushed him to his belly. The man cried out, but he didn’t really care. If he’d come for Fallon, the guy deserved whatever he got.

Aiden moved to his girls. “Are you okay?”

Angela nodded, blinking hard. “He ruptured my ear drum, I think. All I felt was pain in my head. Fallon screamed, and I think she hurt him enough I could get my gun out. But he was already on the floor when you guys ran in.”

“You did excellent,” he told her, kissing the top of her head, then Fallon’s.

I need one of those zip-ties Harper has.

Aiden nodded once, then stepped away for a moment to retrieve a zip tie. He was back moments later, securing the second man. They rolled him over, and scanned him. There were no obvious wounds, but he was writhing in pain. Aiden caught his gaze. What do you feel?

Haven shook his head. Nothing. This is definitely the second guy, though.

Angela leaned forward, frowning. She was looking at his mouth. “What?”

Aiden made a motion to the man on the ground. Her gaze shifted, and she watched the man moan and tremble. “I don’t know what happened. I had my gun out, but I didn’t have a chance to use it. He fell to the ground like he’d been punched.”

They all three looked at Fallon. She was sitting up in Angela’s arms, watching everything going on. Her little face was red from crying, but she was just breathing now, and leaning into her mother. There was blood on her tiny hand, but that was from Angela’s ear.

Haven wasn’t going to say anything. Somehow, she had neutralized the threat against her and her mother until they could get there.

“We need to talk to Duncan,” Haven murmured.

Aiden nodded. “You go get him. Quietly. I’ll call Rose and a squad.”

Haven left the newly-soiled princess room and found Duncan. Luckily, he was near the back hallway. Within just a few minutes, they had tactical support on each of the men and a squad coming in to the back of the Black Orchid, without lights and siren, to check on Angela.

Haven felt bad that this had all happened at the wedding, and he hoped the bride and groom had no idea of the craziness going on just two walls away.

The CIA team arrived, and Haven appreciated that Rose had sent a team of six. That was three normals for each enhanced man. One of them opened a medical bag and took vitals, then administered a shot to each soldier.

Aiden drew the Officer In Charge aside, and explained the situation. Haven could see the man’s skepticism when they explained how dangerous the two assailants were. “We’re going to keep them knocked out until we get to Langley. You take care of your wife and child.”

Haven watched them leave, and wondered if he would see either of the two enhanced soldiers again.

9

Shannon was slightly concerned when John was called away, but not enough to get up and follow him. Instead, she took the time to breathe through her contractions. She still didn’t think they were true contractions, but they’d kind of gotten into a rhythm she was hoping would ease up.

The newly-married couple swayed on the dance floor, looking like the hero and heroine from a fairy-tale. They were oblivious to everything going on around them. The meal had been served and the cake would probably be cut next, but the music had started early. It was a party environment, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

Willow came to sit in the chair beside her. “How far apart are they?”

Shannon blinked. She’d thought she’d done a better job of hiding the pain she was feeling, but of course Willow would see. “About every twelve minutes. I’m pretty sure it’s just Braxton-Hicks.”

Willow raised a dark brow at her, obviously skeptical. “Right…”

“I’m okay,” Shannon promised. “Just feeling a little off. I’m not going to ruin this for Ember.”

“Well, if they start coming faster, you need to let us know.”

Shannon nodded, trying to convince her body to slow down. Baby wasn’t supposed to come for two more weeks, at least. They hadn’t even chosen a name yet…

Willow headed back to her own crew, and tugged Flynn onto the dance floor.

John returned, and Shannon could tell that something was going on. “What?” she whispered.