Page 19

“BUT, MR. KING—” Nettie implored during the video call with her supervisor and District Attorney, Kevin King.

“No, Miss Broussard. You have jeopardized the reputation of the entire District Attorney’s office,” he replied sharply, his tone cold and final. “You are removed from the case immediately, and I will be scrutinizing all your current cases for any signs of misconduct. I won’t tolerate this kind of behavior. I knew hiring someone so young would be a risk. Make sure this doesn’t happen again in the future.” With that, he abruptly ended the video call, the screen fading to black.

Nettie sat alone at the desk in the hotel room, her heart racing and mind reeling, utterly stunned by the weight of his words. The following silence felt oppressive, a crushing reminder of how quickly things could unravel.

She fought to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over after receiving her first disciplinary action. Anger surged through her like a storm, fierce and unrelenting. Yet, her ire wasn’t directed at DA King. No, her wrath was reserved for Mr. McNabb—Casper. He had maneuvered this situation with deliberate intent, successfully plotting her removal from the case in which she had so passionately invested herself.

With a heavy sigh, she closed her laptop, the screen flickering to darkness as she surveyed the stark, impersonal hotel room surrounding her. The bland walls held no comfort, and a profound dread washed over her as she sat amidst the sterile furnishings. She wondered how long she would have to endure this isolated existence. Until now, she had taken her safety for granted, convinced those around her would always look out for her. Beau had been her steadfast protector, but in her quest for alliances with Casper’s friends, she had foolishly severed that safety net.

Was that a wise choice? Doubt gnawed at her. The unsettling realization struck her that it was entirely possible Casper was orchestrating the very shooting incidents she feared, positioning himself as her savior while covertly ensuring that her every misstep would be catalogued and exaggerated—ultimately aimed at ousting her from the case or discrediting its legitimacy entirely. The room felt smaller, the air thicker, as the shadows of betrayal loomed larger.

Nettie stood in the dimly lit room, a swirl of emotions battling within her. She took a deep breath, summoning the courage to change her life. Stepping toward the door, she grasped the handle and pulled it open, her heart racing as she called for Cassie, who lingered in the hallway, her expression curious.

Cassie had bright eyes and a warm smile that instantly put Nettie at ease. As she entered the room, JD, a tall figure leaning against the wall near the elevator, glanced over with a furrowed brow. “Everything okay?” he asked, genuine concern creasing his forehead.

Nettie’s heart sank at the question. No, everything was far from okay. She longed to scream her troubles into the air, to let it all out in a torrent of emotion. Yet, she swallowed the urge, forcing a smile to her lips and nodding. “It’s fine. I just wanted to chat with Cassie about something important.”

She glanced at JD, appreciating the worry etched on his face, but her trust didn’t lie with him—he was still a stranger. Instead, her gaze settled comfortably on Cassie, whose loyalty felt like a lifeline in this sea of uncertainty.

“We’ll be okay,” Cassie reassured JD. A playful smile danced across her lips as she glanced back at him, her fiancé, before stepping into the dimly lit room and gently closing the door behind her. The air was thick with tension, and with a mix of concern and warmth, her eyes searched Nettie’s face, unveiling the unspoken worries that made her feel exposed and fragile. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her tone dripping with empathy.

Nettie sank onto the edge of the bed, its frame creaking slightly, even under her light weight. She gestured toward the armchair opposite her, inviting Cassie to sit. “Lots,” she whispered.

Cassie let out a light chuckle, the sound almost musical in the heavy atmosphere. “I can imagine.” As she settled into the chair, she fiddled with an inconspicuous earpiece that had evaded Nettie’s notice until now.

Nettie’s heart raced. “Is he listening?” she asked, her chest tightening with anxiety. The thought of her private thoughts being overheard made her skin crawl. She wanted this conversation to be just between her and Cassie.

Cassie shook her head reassuringly, a gentle smile lighting up her features. “No, I just cut him off. I can hear him, though, just in case we need to.” There was an unspoken weight in the room. Cassie’s brief pause suggested deeper layers to the story. She chose not to elaborate on whether someone lurked outside, poised to cause trouble again. Of course, she expected Casper would be her savior before anyone else could intervene.

“What’s the date for your wedding?” Nettie blurted out, the question spilling from her lips before she could rein it in. It wasn’t what she had intended to ask. She was using the inquiry as a diversion to shift focus from the turmoil swirling in her mind.

Cassie arched an eyebrow, her expression mixed with mild surprise and amusement. “As soon as Mom and Levi return from their whirlwind trip abroad,” she replied, her tone casual, though there was a hint of excitement in her voice.

Nettie nodded, though her attention was only half on Cassie’s words. A cloud of worry hung over her, pressing down on her like a weight. “What do you know about these men who are supposed to protect me?” she asked, forcing herself to focus.

Cassie uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, concern flickering in her eyes. “Is that really what’s bothering you? You’re unsure if they can keep you safe like the sheriff’s department can?”

Nettie swallowed hard, feeling a lump rise in her throat. “Yes, exactly. I mean, I don’t know them at all. I need to be sure I’m not stepping into a situation that could be dangerous.” The uncertainty gnawed at her as she spoke, each word steeped in the weight of her fears.

“Well,” Cassie began, a hint of gratitude lighting up her expression. “They saved my life, so I trust them completely. Casper took the lead, rallying a few women from the family who were just as fierce.”

Nettie’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. “You never mentioned that before.”

A soft chuckle escaped Cassie’s lips, a fleeting memory dancing in her eyes. “Well, it’s not like we’ve had the chance to catch up since then. But anyway, the story is quite wild. Some deranged woman kidnapped me, hell-bent on killing me unless she got JD’s son, Henry Kyle.” Cassie waved her hand dismissively, her tone shifting. “It’s a long, tangled saga for another time. Right now, what’s really gnawing at you? Why the mistrust about HIS?”

“Because,” Nettie inhaled deeply, her breath steadying her racing heart, “I believe Casper is behind the shootings.”

Nettie’s brow furrowed in deep concentration as she observed Cassie’s reaction.

“What do you mean? Wasn’t he there during the shootings?” Cassie’s eyes widened with disbelief, as she leaned in closer, eager for answers.

Nettie nodded slowly, a grimace crossing her face. “Exactly. He was there to save me during both shootings. Conveniently there, I might add. It’s almost too perfect. He effectively got me removed from his brother’s case.” The weight of her accusation hung heavily in the air, a palpable tension swelling between them.

Cassie leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs in a defensive gesture, her expression shifting from surprise to skepticism. “I don’t know. I can’t imagine Casper doing something like that. Why do you think he orchestrated the whole thing? He put himself at risk, too. Didn’t he get shot the first time?”

Nettie knew that was true. He did take a bullet during the first incident, a mere graze, really, but she couldn’t shake the nagging doubts that crept into her thoughts. Yes, she recalled the way he had grimaced in pain, shifting uncomfortably as he tried to find a position to ease the sting. Yet, he’d still been there by her side during the second shooting, that undeniable stark proximity a haunting reminder of their shared ordeal.

Frustration gnawed at her, and she bit her lip as she gathered her thoughts. “I don’t know…. It just feels too coincidental. And look how it all turned out. I was removed from his brother’s case. Just like that.”

“Oh, Nettie. I’m so sorry to hear that,” Cassie murmured, her tone softening, concern knitting her brow.

“I want you and JD to take on the responsibility of protecting me instead. I can’t bring myself to trust anyone Casper assigns to this task.”

Cassie’s shoulders sagged under the weight of Nettie’s request. “I wish we could help you, Nettie. But JD and I can’t manage twenty-four-hour protection. Our responsibilities include caring for Henry Kyle and managing a heavy caseload,” she replied with a soft smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “And from what I’ve heard, Casper won’t be involved in the protection detail anyway.”

Nettie’s brow furrowed in agitation. “But those are Casper’s men. His colleagues. Surely they would follow his lead, allowing him to be close enough to interfere if he wanted to,” she said. The urgency of her situation consumed her thoughts—this was about her life, and she felt as though the ground beneath her was crumbling.

A glimmer of thought crossed Cassie’s face as she paused, her expression shifting to one of concern. “Hang on a second. Didn’t you receive those threatening notes before his brother was arrested? Before Casper even showed up?”

Nettie’s mind raced as she slowly nodded, grappling with the implications of Cassie’s words. The connection seemed tenuous, slipping through her fingers like sand. “Maybe they aren’t connected,” she contemplated aloud, the uncertainty gnawing at her. “After all, the first shooter is in custody. He never claimed credit for writing the notes.”

Cassie leaned forward, her tone grave. “From what I understand, he’s not revealing much at all.” The ominous thought hung between them.

With an intense whirl of anxiety swirling within her, Nettie fixed her gaze on Cassie and declared, “I need you and JD to dig into Casper. I want to uncover every detail about him and his brother. Something about them sets off alarm bells in my mind, and I must ensure I’ll be safe under HIS protection.”

Cassie, her brow furrowed in concern, gradually nodded as she searched Nettie’s face. “We can look into it for you if it helps ease your mind.”

Though Nettie appreciated the offer, an unsettling doubt lingered within her. Would knowing more really bring her the reassurance she craved? Deep down, she sensed that the danger she felt was more than just a personal threat. It loomed larger, casting a shadow over much more than her safety.

“Do it,” Nettie urged. “Gather everything you can on them, and make it quick. If you hit a wall, don’t hesitate to call Beau for backup.”

Cassie raised a hand, a cautious gesture that cut through the tension in the room. “Hold on a second. Let’s not bring in the sheriff just yet. We should do our digging first. I promise we’ll have the information for you quickly.”

Nettie exhaled a heavy sigh that seemed to release some of the tension in her chest. The burden she’d been carrying felt a bit lighter as if the world’s weight had shifted on her shoulders. “All right then,” she said, her tone turning serious. “Now, catch me up on Henry Kyle and his antics.”