51

M att had just pulled in when Levi came running out of the front door. His brother had a gun in his hands. Not that unusual—rifles were the number one accessory in Masterson County, after all .

Levi didn't stop moving; he ran straight to Matt’s truck and hopped in. "What the hell's going on Levi ?"

"Get to the Tylers. Now . Some sonofabitch broke in. Pan's over there with Pip now ."

Matt didn't question, he just hit the gas .

They were halfway there before he calmed himself down enough to ask what had happened .

“I don't know. Pan called Phoebe. She was afraid, Matt. Someone had broken in and done something to the twins’ rooms. I didn't ask for details. I just told her to grab the gun and wait for me there. I told her that I'd be there as soon as I could. Figured you'd feel the same way ."

"You're right about that. We sure the guy isn't still there? You call Joel?" Matt refused to let panic take hold. Levi had said she was there with her sister. She was safe. That something could happen to her and her sister in the meantime hadn't skipped his notice. But he wasn't going to panic .

That ten miles between their place in the Tylers seemed like one hundred. He made it in seven minutes .

Pip and her sister met them at the edge of the drive. Matt jumped from his truck and ran to her. "Pip, baby, come here ."

She ran off the porch and threw herself against his chest. Matt closed his arms around her .

He was only barely aware of Levi pulling Pan closer himself .

They just held the sisters for a very long time .