Page 20

CASPER LOOKED ACROSS the room at his brother and said, “You have a new prosecutor assigned to your case. It’s ADA David Baker.”

Aaron’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What happened to the hot chick?” he asked, leaning back in his chair. “I mean, I’m not complaining—she was a fierce competitor, but I’m genuinely curious.”

Feeling a mix of irritation and restraint at his brother’s casual remark, Casper took a deep breath to calm his frayed nerves. “She was removed,” he replied, the gravity of the situation weighing heavy in his words.

“Maybe now I can finally secure bail and escape this hellhole,” Aaron murmured.

Casper nodded in agreement, but a knot of worry twisted in his stomach. He had heard that ADA Baker was notorious for swiftly closing cases, often prioritizing a swift judgment over the possibility of rehabilitation. Casper couldn’t shake the feeling that his brother needed more than just freedom. He needed a lifeline to combat his addiction and reclaim his life.

“Time’s up,” a deputy announced, his voice carrying a stern finality that echoed against the cold, unforgiving walls of the room.

Casper rose slowly from the hard, uncomfortable chair, a heavy weight settling in his chest. “Bryce will get you out on bail,” he reassured, keeping his tone steady despite the frustration brewing.

Aaron glanced up, his brow furrowed in distress, the worry etched deeply in his features. “But I don’t have any money,” he whined. “Neither does Mom.”

Casper rubbed the back of his neck with a resigned sigh, feeling the tension creep into his muscles. He knew, with a sinking certainty, that he would have to cover his brother’s bond. Deep down, he longed for his brother to take responsibility and contribute somehow, but he couldn’t ignore the bond of family that compelled him to act. “I’ll cover it,” he finally conceded, the words heavy on his tongue.

“Thanks, man,” Aaron replied, relief washing over his face, though it only added to Casper’s mounting irritation.

A surge of frustration swelled within Casper. He knew well that this generosity would likely go unappreciated, and his brother would make no effort to reimburse him. The thought gnawed at him, even as he resolved to do whatever was necessary to get Aaron out of this place.

As Casper stepped out into the brightly lit corridor, he encountered Bryce, and the two men made their way toward the courtroom in an uneasy silence. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension, each lost in their thoughts. It was Bryce who eventually shattered the quiet. “Your brother’s case is second on the docket, so the wait won’t be long,” he said, his tone steady but lacking its usual cheerfulness.

Casper nodded absently, his mind swirling with concerns about how ADA Baker might approach the case. He couldn’t help but compare that to the strategies he would expect from Nettie, a familiar worry creeping in. Suddenly, it hit him just how much he had been preoccupied with thoughts of her—again, the entire night had been consumed by anxieties about her safety and the unknown threats that seemed to loom around her. His heart tightened at the thought of who might be plotting to harm her, overshadowing all else in his mind.

The courtroom proceedings unfolded in a manner that aligned perfectly with Casper’s anticipations. As the atmosphere was tense, Bryce confidently stepped forward to advocate for his brother’s release on bail. After a brief pause, the judge nodded in agreement with a discerning gaze, granting the request and setting the stage for a hopeful turn in the family’s fortunes. Afterward, Casper posted it, and once his brother was free, the tightness in his chest eased, knowing his brother wouldn’t be in a cell.

Aaron, all smiles, settled into the passenger seat beside Casper as they made their way to their mother’s home.

When they arrived, the front door swung open, and their mother stepped out, her eyes sparkling with warmth and love. She rushed forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Aaron and comforting him. “Oh, my sweet boy,” she murmured. “I’m so glad you’re finally home,” she gushed without greeting Casper.

Accustomed to fading into the background while Aaron took center stage, Casper made his way to his room with heavy steps. The air felt thick with anticipation as he prepared to change into something more tactical. He was about to meet his fellow agents, arriving in town shortly. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him. He needed to brief them thoroughly before they assumed control of Nettie’s safety. The task’s urgency gnawed at him, especially with the unsettling thought that he might soon be unable to see her again.

That idea spiraled in his mind like a relentless echo, leaving an unsettled knot in his stomach. He yearned for her presence—a force that pulled him even when he knew he should distance himself. Nettie was no longer the enemy he once perceived. The lines had blurred, and now she was simply...Nettie. The woman who had once been at odds with Aaron had shifted in his heart, and the thought of never seeing her again felt like an impending loss he was not ready to face.

A sinking feeling settled in Casper’s stomach like a heavy stone as he heard the unmistakable sound of the front door creaking open and then shutting with an echoing thud. Aaron had slipped away again, most likely to pursue his reckless lifestyle, a pattern that had become all too familiar. But Casper couldn’t afford to dwell on his brother’s choices. The urgency of securing Nettie’s safety loomed larger than his worries. His brother’s antics would have to take a backseat, at least for the moment, especially after he’d just been released on bail. Casper could only hope that Aaron would stay out of trouble and refrain from making any reckless decisions that might land him back behind bars, risking the precious chance he had been given.

Clad in his familiar black tactical pants, snug black T-shirt, and sturdy combat boots, Casper secured his sidearm in the holster at his hip. He reached for his well-worn ball cap, a gesture that felt almost ritualistic, before stepping out of his room and into the dim light of the living room.

There, on the couch, sat his mother, her shoulders shaking silently with quiet sobs. The sight of her pain wrapped around his heart like a vise. He knew all too well that she wouldn’t welcome his hug. In moments like these, she would often draw away. Yet the instinct to comfort her tugged insistently at him, a reminder that she would always be his mother despite the distance between them—though there were times she might wish otherwise.

With a quick, almost frantic motion, she wiped the tears from her cheeks, her eyes glimmering with sorrow and surprise as she stood to face him. “Where are you going? And wearing a gun, I might add,” she said, her tone stern and argumentative.

“To work,” he muttered, barely glancing at her as he swirled past and stepped out into the bright afternoon. The Jeep’s engine roared to life with a familiar growl, and the moment the Bluetooth connected, he spoke with purpose. “Call Jesse Hamilton.” The phone rang, filling the vehicle with urgency as he shifted into gear, leaving the familiar comfort of his mother’s house behind for the open road to the airport.

“How’d it go?” Jesse’s voice crackled through the speaker, bypassing the usual pleasantries with a directness that matched Casper’s mood.

“He’s out on bail and already back behind the wheel.” As he navigated the highway, the asphalt stretched before him, the magnolia trees swaying gently in the breeze as he traveled along I-10 toward the Gulfport/Biloxi Regional Airport.

“Shit. Well, you can’t do everything for him. He’s got to want to do it,” Jesse cautioned, a hint of frustration lacing his tone.

Casper’s eyes were fixed on the winding road ahead, each bump and dip drawing his thoughts deeper into a swirling tempest of concern that weighed heavily in his chest. “I can’t focus on him right now,” he muttered, the words almost lost in the engine’s hum. “When are the guys arriving?”

“ETA-20 minutes. I arranged for them to take the private jet,” Jesse replied, his tone casual yet firm.

A smile tugged at the corners of Casper’s mouth, lifting his mood more than he expected. “Wow. I feel special.”

“Don’t get too comfortable,” Jesse cautioned with a sly grin. “The pilot needed the flight hours, and we didn’t exactly require him for any grand mission.”

“So, you’re sending me a bunch of pampered agents. Is that what you’re saying?” Casper teased, a sense of lightness washing over him. While the agents would still face the rigors of their work, the thought of them enjoying the lavish perks of a private flight—complete with a dedicated pilot and attentive steward—sparked a flicker of delight within him.

Jesse let out a light chuckle, the sound a teasing familiarity. “You’ll have to figure that out for yourself,” he said. “Listen, we’ve been in touch with the sheriff and coordinated our equipment to ensure the men won’t run into any problems while protecting…your lady.”

Casper’s lips pressed into a tight line, a low growl escaping him. “She’s not my woman. She’s just…someone who needs our help.” The weight of his denial hung heavy, his tone a desperate attempt to keep his emotions in check.

“Sure, keep telling yourself that.”

Deep down, Casper felt a tumult of conflicting emotions—the longing for her—a visceral aching urge—gnawed at him. Yet, labeling her as “his woman” felt like a degradation he couldn’t allow. She was far more complex than that, an enigma he couldn’t quite define.

“The exchange will happen at the airport,” Jesse stated, shifting to a more serious tone.

Stunned by the sudden shift in plans, Casper straightened in his seat, his mind racing. He turned onto Airport Road in Gulfport, the familiar scenery feeling foreign and urgent. “When did this change?” he asked, disbelief mingling with a surge of anticipation as the reality of the situation sank in. “Why didn’t he tell me this sooner?” he questioned.

“Because he knew you were preoccupied with your brother,” he explained, his tone steady and reassuring. “But don’t worry. Once the men take control, you’ll be in charge.”

Feeling a spark of trust in JD and Jesse, Casper nodded, determined to stay focused. “All right, we’ll transfer her to the designated spot. That should work. They’ll get lost in the airport traffic.” He held back his thoughts about the sparse airport buzz—traffic was generally only heavy during the arrival of a large plane—but he was confident they could find a way to make this plan succeed.

“What else do you need from me?” Jesse asked, ever the supportive partner in their complicated dealings.

“Just the background that Devon was working on,” Casper replied, maneuvering the jeep into the parking garage. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead as he parked near the baggage claim at terminal two.

“The men have it handled. Just give me a call if you run into any issues. Oh, and Casper?”

“Yeah?” he responded, shifting his focus to the conversation, the engine’s hum fading into the background.

“Don’t screw this up,” Jesse cautioned. “Your dick might want one thing, but logic might be pointing in another direction.” With those weighty words, Jesse ended the call, leaving Casper to grapple with his thoughts in the stillness of the parking garage.

As he stepped into the bustling terminal, the sharp clink of metal caught his attention. Security personnel quickly intercepted him, eyeing the weapon with caution and authority. Frustration bubbled within him. He should have anticipated this inconvenience and left the gun behind. But duty called, and the firearm was an inseparable part of his uniform.

Just as the guard prepared to contact the sheriff for verification, JD approached confidently, accompanied by Cassie and Nettie. “He’s with us, Jim,” JD announced, his tone reassuring.

Jim turned to JD, a smile breaking across his face, before shifting his gaze back to Casper. “Hell, boy, why didn’t you just say so?”

Casper shook his head, a hint of disbelief coloring his expression. JD had more connections and influence than he had anticipated. His attention was soon drawn to Nettie, who stood comfortably by Cassie. His breath hitched in his throat at the sight of her. Dressed casually in snug capris and a fitted T-shirt, she effortlessly showcased her sun-kissed arms and toned calves. A gentle breeze played with her hair, causing it to dance softly around her shoulders, and he found himself momentarily speechless, captivated by her effortless beauty.

JD nodded toward the escalator, his eyes lighting up. “Here come the boys.”

Casper turned, and his gaze quickly landed on the unmistakable presence of four men, all dressed similarly to him. They maneuvered through the terminal with purpose, their eyes scanning the surroundings, surveying every detail with a keen, practiced vigilance.

Just as he was about to pivot back to Nettie, an unwelcome sound pierced the air—familiar yet distant, echoing from a time he thought he left behind. “Ash. Ash McNabb!” Marie Edwards called out, her tone a mixture of relief and urgency. He turned to face her, recognizing the weathered features of a woman he hadn’t seen in over a decade.

Her warm smile wavered as she gestured to the teenage girl beside her. The girl had striking blue eyes that sparkled with curiosity and blonde hair that cascaded down her shoulders, reminiscent of a sunlit summer day. “Kayla, this is your father,” Marie introduced with pride.

The moment hung in the air like a fragile glass ornament, and when he heard a sharp breath from Nettie, it felt as though the ground beneath him had crumbled. A rush of shock and disbelief coursed through him, instantly turning his world upside down. “Kayla Marie,” he muttered, grappling with the reality that this girl—this young woman—was his daughter.