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CASPER OBSERVED THE subtle shift in Nettie’s demeanor as various emotions flickered across her face like a fast-moving shadow. Confusion, tension, perhaps even fear, played in her eyes, leaving him to wonder if he had somehow sparked her anxiety. The thought made his stomach twist. Surely, she couldn’t be afraid of him. He was determined to keep his distance, especially with the prospect of entering protective custody looming and the meeting with her boss scheduled for the morning—albeit conducted through a screen.

“Just give me a moment,” he said softly to the sheriff and Nettie, a hint of urgency in his voice. Turning away from their scrutiny, he deliberately walked a few paces farther, seeking a private space for the conversation. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he scrolled through his contacts until he found the familiar name that gave him relief.

“Please tell me I can send some of these boneheads your way. They are driving me crazy, clambering for work when I orchestrated them a holiday.” Jesse Hamilton’s voice burst through the line before Casper even had the chance to say hello. Jesse’s exasperation was palpable, a welcome distraction from the turmoil swirling around him.

“Send them right away. She needs protective custody,” Casper declared. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders. He couldn’t allow anyone else to bear the burden of her safety.

“I can arrange that. Who do you want on the team?” Jesse inquired, ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice.

Without a moment’s pause, Casper replied, “Doc, Pup, Cowboy, and Nemo. Make sure Pup brings the dogs with him. We’ve only had gunfire, but I refuse to take any chances.” He paused, a sense of urgency washing over him. “And Devon needs to find a secure location where she can work remotely. It’s crucial if we’re ever going to get her into protective custody.”

“What about you?”.

Casper rubbed the back of his neck, a wave of disappointment washing over him as he admitted, “I can’t be part of the protection detail.” The realization stung more than he anticipated. But then, a spark of inspiration ignited within him. “I’ll lead the teams instead.”

Jesse chuckled lightly, a hint of admiration in his voice. “I expected nothing less from you.”

“Can you get them here by tomorrow morning?” Casper pressed, urgency creeping back into his tone.

“Casper, I could have them here in a few hours if needed. But tomorrow morning would be the best timing,” Jesse assured him.

After ending the call with Jesse, Casper swiftly dialed JD’s number, his heart racing with urgency. When JD picked up, Casper rushed to speak, “I need you and Cassie tonight for a protection detail. Can you do it?” The words tumbled out, laden with the weight of the situation.

“Let me find a sitter for Henry Kyle, and we’ll be there as soon as you need us,” JD replied.

Casper took a deep breath, his mind racing as he thought about the best place to hide Nettie for the night. “Where’s the safest spot to stash her? The teams will arrive in the morning with an address for a secure location, so we need somewhere for tonight.” A pang of regret hit him. He realized little about the town’s growth since his last visit. The once-quiet streets were now lined with vibrant casinos, bustling businesses, and hotels filled with tourists. He mentally cursed himself for not keeping up with the changes.

“I’ll take care of it,” JD assured him. “But are you sure it’s wise to be there, given the case and everything?”

Casper hesitated, aware that he shouldn’t be inserting himself into the situation, but the thought of leaving Nettie unprotected was unbearable. “I have to be there,” he said, determination hardening his resolve. The instinct to ensure her safety thrummed intensely within him, a primal urge that overshadowed his concerns for his well-being. Until he could guarantee her safety, he couldn’t allow himself to step away. The reason for this fierce protectiveness eluded him, but it felt like an unshakeable vow, compelling him to remain by her side.

“Oh, make sure to find a place that welcomes pets,” Casper suddenly recalled a sense of urgency in his voice. “She has two adorable kittens.” The image of the little felines shuffled through his mind. He couldn’t bear the thought of them being away from her. Deep down, he sensed that she desperately needed their companionship to help her navigate the storm brewing on the horizon. He couldn’t pinpoint what lay ahead, but he was all too familiar with the presence of villains, and experience told him they rarely backed down.

JD chuckled softly on the other end of the line. “So, you found a place for the little ones.”

Casper nodded, even though JD couldn’t see the gesture. “Yes, she’s going to be their foster mom.” A warm smile spread across his face as he recalled her infectious enthusiasm when she quickly named the tiny creatures. “Although after seeing her with them, I believe they’ll end up being foster fails.”

“They almost always turn out that way,” JD replied with a knowing laugh. Clearing his throat, he added, “Now, give me the address. We’ll be there in less than an hour.”

Casper quickly recited the address he had memorized, feeling a rush of determination as he hung up the call.

As Casper made his way back, he noticed that the sheriff had stepped away, engaging in a low conversation with one of his deputies, their voices a murmur against the backdrop of the bustling area. Nettie hung up her phone and turned to him, an expression of mingled relief and frustration gracing her features. “Okay, my boss has given the go-ahead for the virtual court hearings, but he’s not thrilled about it. He’s curious about where I’ll be stationed during all this.”

Casper shook his head, a firm resolve anchoring his response. There was no way he would disclose her protective address, not to anyone or her boss. “No can do. He’ll have to remain in the dark like everyone else.”

Nettie crossed her arms, defiance written all over her. “What about my paralegal? I meet with Janet several times a day to prepare for cases. Surely, I can let her know where I am.”

He shook his head again, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. “Virtually is your only option.”

A spark ignited in Nettie’s eyes as she placed her hands on her hips, her posture radiating fierce determination. “What if I decide to go with the sheriff instead? Maybe he’ll be more realistic about this situation.”

Watching the fiery passion in her gaze stirred something within Casper, a complex mix of admiration and concern that he knew he shouldn’t indulge. “You heard the sheriff,” he replied. “He doesn’t have the staffing to handle this and wouldn’t allow it either. It’s called ‘Protection 101.’” His tone was firm, masking his warmth at her spirited nature.

“Fine,” she huffed, her tone reminiscent of a petulant child who realized, deep down, that the argument was lost.

“Fine,” he echoed, a smirk dancing across his lips. There was something undeniably alluring about her during their debates. It fueled his anticipation for seeing her in court. He could already envision her as a fierce prosecutor, igniting the room with her passionate arguments.

“Who is JD?” she inquired, her brows furrowing in curiosity. “Is it Cassie McKay’s JD? I know her but have never had the chance to meet him.”

Casper nodded, the corners of his mouth lifting in a knowing smile. “Yes, that’s him. They should be here shortly. Let’s get you inside to tidy up the chaos before they arrive. We can also offer some comfort to the kittens. Madam needs a flea bath, and now that they’re reunited, Callie could use another one too—those pesky fleas tend to leap from one to the other.”

Nettie gasped, covering her mouth in alarm. “Oh no! Can I take them with me? I can’t bear leaving them alone for an unspecified time, even though you bought those automatic feeders.”

Casper couldn’t help but admire how her heart swelled with concern for the helpless little kittens. She was a kind-hearted woman, caught in a difficult situation that he knew stemmed from her demanding job—one he recognized she excelled at with unwavering dedication. “You can.”

Nettie released a deep, weary sigh that Casper interpreted as a sign of relief. “Great,” she murmured. She turned on her heel and ascended the stairs leading to her home, the weight of her day visible in her movement. Pausing halfway up, she cast a lingering glance at her front door, where the jagged scars of bullet holes marred the wood—reminders of a harrowing experience. With a visible slump of her shoulders, the sight seemed to drain the color from her face.

In that fleeting moment, Casper felt a surge of conflicting emotions, a blend of desire and compassion, urging him to envelop her in a warm embrace. He longed to tell her everything would be fine, to instill a sense of safety that he struggled to believe in. But deep down, he knew he couldn’t make such promises. He had never been able to promise her certainty, and he never would. Nonetheless, he resolved to do everything within his power to create a semblance of security for her, determined to fight for her peace of mind with every ounce of strength he had.

Casper ushered her inside, the door creaking ominously as he maneuvered past the jagged remnants of the door frame, where splinters jutted out like the teeth of a broken smile. “Let’s get the kittens ready,” he said, hoping to divert her attention from the palpable danger that loomed over her.

She nodded, her silence weighing heavily on the air. It bothered him more than he cared to admit, but he pushed it aside as they swiftly began bathing the kittens. Their soft fur soaked up the warm water as they squirmed playfully, oblivious to the tension.

As Nettie moved about the house, gathering her clothes and essentials, JD and Cassie arrived, bringing a sudden rush of urgency into the space. Casper extended his hand, offering a firm shake to JD and then to Cassie, his expression a mix of gratitude and unease. “I’m so appreciative you could do this on such short notice.”

JD nodded, his brow furrowing. “It was surprisingly easy to slip past all the law enforcement outside. She needs to be in custody—this is just too chaotic.”

Cassie grimaced, concern etched on her face as she glanced around the disheveled room. “Where is she? This must be harrowing for her,” she asked gently.

Casper gestured toward the closed bedroom door. “Packing,” he replied, his tone heavy with unspoken worries.

Cassie nodded, determination setting her jaw. “I’ll go help her,” she said, striding confidently toward Nettie’s bedroom, her footsteps fading as she moved out of earshot, leaving an air of anxious anticipation in the room.

“What’s up?” JD asked, his keen eyes studying Casper’s troubled expression, a hint of concern etched on his brow.

Casper took a deep breath, the moment’s weight heavy on his shoulders. “I need to prepare Bryce for what’s coming and my brother’s hearing first thing in the morning.”

JD raised his eyebrows, a look of urgency crossing his face. “I wouldn’t wait. Bryce needs to hear this news as soon as possible—he must brace himself for any fallout.”

Casper tilted his head slightly, contemplating JD’s words with furrowed brows. “What kind of fallout do you think we’re looking at?”

JD frowned, his gaze shifting away as if reluctant to spill the harsh truth. “She’ll probably be removed from the case. If that happens, it’ll likely create a rift between you two. She’ll resent you for it.”

Though he knew he should remain indifferent, the thought of Nettie harboring any hatred toward him gnawed at Casper. He couldn’t bear the idea, even if pulling her away was for the best. “Is there anything I can do to change that outcome?” he asked, a flicker of desperation in his voice, despite knowing deep down that Nettie’s more lenient colleague would probably grant his brother bail.

“No,” JD replied with resolute finality. “Nothing at all.”