They must be walking around the room because the voices ebb and flow in volume.

“. . . by the end of . . .”

“. . . fuck that . . .”

Suddenly there’s a scuffle and a loud bang. I run back to the couch and hide behind it just as I hear, “Hands up! You’re all under arrest!”

“Oh, thank God.”

I stay huddled in the corner, in case there is more gunfire. Everything seems to be in slow motion. The noises, the voices, and then the door to the office is flung open and an older version of Mac comes running inside.

“You must be Kat,” he says. His eyes are kind, but scared. “I’m Mac’s father, Eric. You’re safe now, sweetheart. I am so sorry.”

“Oh my God,” I reply. It’s all I can say. He pulls me to him and hugs me hard. “Where’s Mac?”

“He’s here. I’ll take you to him.”

“Mr. MacKenzie, you’ll need to come with us,” a man in uniform says from the doorway. “We still need your official statement.”

“Can I walk her out to my son first? I’ll be right back.”

“We’ll need your statement too, miss.” The policeman nods. “But let’s get you checked out first. We’ve got the men in custody. You’re safe.”

Eric wraps his arm around my shoulder and guides me outside. Mac is pacing the sidewalk across the street, being held back from coming in the building by more police.

I break away from Eric and run toward Mac. I can’t wait to be in his arms.

Fuck, I need him.

“Kat!” He catches me in his arms, holding me tight, kissing my head and cheek. “Are you hurt? Did they touch you?”

“I’m fine,” I reply, and bury my face in his neck. He smells so damn good. “I’m fine now.”

“Fuck, Kat.”

“I know.” We’re clinging to each other, neither of us wanting to let go despite people swarming around us. I’ve completely lost my composure, crying and clinging to Mac as if my life depends on it. Policemen are trying to ask me questions, but all that matters is that I’m in Mac’s arms again. “I’m so sorry that I worried you.”

“Stop,” he says, cupping my cheeks in his hands, brushing my tears away. “Not one bit of this is your fault. The important thing is that you’re safe. God, Kat, I want to fucking kill them with my bare hands.”

“I don’t want to have to arrest you too.”

My head comes up at the familiar voice. “Owen?”

He’s dressed in his uniform and watching me grimly.

“Are you okay?”

I nod, then cringe. My head is killing me. “They knocked me out at the concert. I have a bit of a headache.”

“The ambulance is pulling in now,” Owen replies.

“I don’t need an ambulance,” I reply, and Mac scowls at me.

“Of course you do. You’re going to the hospital,” he says.

“No. I’m not.” I shake my head stubbornly. “I’m fine.”

“Kat—” Mac begins, but Owen cuts him off.

“You were knocked unconscious. You’re going to the hospital. Then you’re going to rest, and come see me first thing Monday morning to give me your statement.”

“I don’t have to do it today?” I ask in relief.

“It’s the weekend. These douchebags will sit in jail until Monday, when they can lawyer up anyway. I want you to rest.”

“I’ll see that she does,” Mac says. “Thank you.”

Owen nods and leads us to the ambulance.

“Can you climb in, or do you need a gurney?” the paramedic asks.

“I can climb in,” I reply. “But I’m telling you I don’t need to go to the hospital.”

“You’re so fucking stubborn,” Mac says in exasperation. “Are you going to be this stubborn for the rest of our lives? I might need to mentally prepare for that.”

I get settled on the gurney and the paramedic begins hooking me up to wires and tubes, and then Mac’s words hit me.

“The rest of our lives?”

“If you think you’re breaking up with me now, you’ve got another thing coming,” he says, and takes my hand in his, kissing my knuckles. “God, I was scared, Kat. I don’t think I’ve ever been that scared.”

“Me too,” I reply, and drag my fingers down his cheek. “What a mess. How did they find me?”

“My dad,” he replies. “He kept calling, checking in to see if Chase, Mom, and I were safe. Finally, Chase told him that you were missing, and we didn’t have time for idle chitchat. Dad freaked out. He was worried that they were going to take one of us; he had no idea that I have been seeing you. He knew where their offices were, and led the cops right to you. They had him go in first to talk, then followed him in to arrest them. They had to admit that they had you.”

“Your dad didn’t mean for this to happen,” I say softly. Mac nods.

“I know. But he needs to get help. I’ll talk to him after I know you’re okay.”

“I’m telling you, I’m okay.”

“Great. We’ll have a doctor confirm that.”

I pout, sticking my lower lip out, and Mac grins. “Oh! I’d better call Mia.”

“It’s the middle of the night,” I remind him.