Talia unconsciously positioned herself behind the couch, putting a barrier between her and whoever was on the other side of the door. Logically she knew it wasn’t Mark, but her anxious brain didn’t understand logic of any kind. That knock on the door was a threat, and the biggest perceived threat in her life right now was Mark.

     Parker was the first to respond, sighing and dropping his head for a moment before crossing to the door. Carter remained standing where he was, not even looking at her. She couldn’t get a read on him or understand what he was trying to do. Sure, she was the one to reach...