“What’s up, guys?” I ask. “And why are you in your scary cop attire?” I ask Matt, gesturing to his gun and badge.

“I’m on my way to work,” he responds with a sigh. “Look, I got a call this morning from Chicago.”

Every hair on my body stands on end and I automatically reach for Caleb’s hand.

“Apparently, Will Montgomery getting engaged during a Nash concert is big news, and it has been splashed all over the morning news shows.”

“So?” I ask and frown. “What’s the big deal?”

“It wouldn’t be, except several of the shots from last night include photos and video of the family, Brynna.” He sighs and clenches his jaw, his eyes worried and trained on me as the implications of what he’s said sinks in.

“I was in those pictures,” I whisper and sit on the couch behind me. Caleb curses under his breath and sits next to me, drapes his arm around me and pulls me to his side.

“You were,” Matt confirms. “One of the guys with Chicago PD called me this morning. We don’t know that anyone else would notice, but it’s only a matter of days before it hits national magazines as well, and it’ll be all over the evening news tonight.”

“Why did he have to propose like that?” Caleb asks softly and kisses my shoulder.

“He didn’t know,” I whisper and for the first time in more than a year, I regret my decision to keep the rest of the family in the dark. “He didn’t know because I wouldn’t let you guys tell them.”

“We have to tell them now,” Matt murmurs.

“I know.” I nod and straighten my spine. “Today.”

“I have to work a shift today,” Matt says as he checks his watch and winces. “But let’s have the family over here this evening and we’ll talk to everyone, fill everyone in, and figure out where to go from there. I’ll make some more calls today and keep an eye on the media. My contact in Chicago was going to try to contact one of the undercover guys to see what they know, but it can take a few days to hear back.”

“Can your parents keep the girls one more night?” Caleb asks me. “I’d rather they weren’t here when we talk with our families.”

“Yeah,” I nod. “I’m sure that’s not a problem. I’d like to go spend time with them today, though.” I swallow and glance up at Matt who nods and smiles reassuringly.

Caleb pulls his phone out and begins to text the family.

Family meeting, today, 6pm. Brynna’s house. Mandatory.

***

“Hey, thanks for coming.” I kiss Stacy’s cheek as she and Isaac come inside my home. They are the last to arrive. “Do Luke’s parents have all the kids?”

Stacy nods as Isaac leads us into the living room.

My house is bursting at the seams.

Isaac and Stacy’s parents are all sitting at the dining room table, while all of the siblings are gathered in the living room. Luke and Natalie are sharing a chair while Jules and Nate and Mark and Sam are on the couch.

Will, Meg, Isaac and Stacy claim the remaining seats, and all eyes are on Caleb, Matt and myself.

Why do I suddenly feel so fucking guilty?

“So what’s up?” Will asks. “Where are Bryn’s parents and the girls?”

“My parents have the girls at home. It’s best if they don’t hear this.” The last few words are said with a whisper, and everyone exchanges curious looks.

“Are you okay?” Steven Montgomery asks, and I have to blink furiously to keep tears at bay.

Geez, this conversation is just starting. Cut it out with the water works already.

I nod and look to Matt and Caleb for guidance.

“You all know,” Matt begins and sighs, “that Brynna came home about a year ago rather abruptly.”

Isaac scrubs his hands over his face and swears under his breath. He knows the story, and has kept my secret for all this time.

“You knew?” Stacy asks him, her voice full of hurt. He sighs deeply and wraps his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him, and kisses her head while whispering to her.

“It’s time you all know why,” I announce and offer a wobbly smile to Caleb and Matt. “And you should hear it from me.”

I swallow hard and look around the room at this beautiful group of people who have become my family and best friends.

“On Thanksgiving Day, just over a year ago, I was taking the girls to their father’s to spend a few days with him. Just before we got there, Jeff was murdered by members of the drug cartel that he was working undercover with, and as I pulled up to his house, they were leaving.”

There are mixed emotions from everyone in the room. Some gasp. Eyes widen. Mouths gape.

Nate’s hands ball into fists.

“I couldn’t identify any of them,” I continue and wring my hands together. “But, they don’t know that. I can’t testify against them in court, so I don’t qualify for the witness protection program, but they don’t know that either.”

“She was advised to leave town, and as long as she remained quiet and out of sight and out of mind, she should be safe,” Matt announces.

“And I have been,” I quickly assure them all. “The police in Chicago have kept their eyes and ears open, and for all I know, I’ve been forgotten.”

“So what’s going on now?” Luke asks, his voice hard.

“A few things have happened over the past few months to raise flags for us,” Caleb begins, speaking for the first time. “First, Matt received a call from a P.I. at the station, asking all kinds of nosy questions about the family.”