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NETTIE STOOD FROZEN, her heart racing as she watched the disbelief wave wash over Casper’s face. His eyes widened, reflecting a mixture of shock and confusion as he stared at the woman and the teenage girl she had just identified as his daughter. A flurry of questions surged, akin to those an investigator might ponder: Had this woman spoken the truth? Was Casper—this man she had come to respect—careless enough to father a child and then vanish from their lives? This wasn’t just professional curiosity. It was a storm of jealousy disguised as concern. But she quickly reminded herself that she held no romantic feelings for him. No, that was a lie, a feeble attempt to mask the truth.

Around them, Casper’s loyal men formed a protective barrier around JD and Cassie, their imposing figures casting long shadows that enveloped the duo. Nettie felt the weight of their presence. It was both comforting and stifling. She understood the necessity of their vigilance, especially since she had not anticipated the danger lurking behind her unexpected visit to the airport—a place she hadn’t planned to go at all.

“Yes, honey,” the woman pressed on. “She’s your daughter. You never should have left us.”

Nettie’s breath caught in her throat, a sharp gasp escaping her lips as the words hung heavily. Had he abandoned a pregnant woman? The realization twisted in her chest, shattering the idealized image she had held of the man who had risked everything to save her life—not once but twice. Had the hero she envisioned been merely a mirage born of her imagination? Is it possible that the complexities of humanity overshadowed the gallant facade? The thought gnawed at her, igniting a mix of disappointment and confusion.

“And,” Marie continued, “we need you.”

Casper shifted his gaze between Marie and Nettie. His eyes, imbued with an intense focus, finally locked onto her. “Cowboy. Nemo. You two, grab the crates coming off the belt.” His voice was firm, but his attention remained fixed on Nettie, the tension palpable between them. “Doc, you’re in charge. Take whatever steps are necessary to fulfill our mission. I’ll catch up with you later.”

Nettie, a storm of emotions swirling inside her, felt an overwhelming desire to scream that Casper wouldn’t be seeing her again. Yet, ignited by an undeniable attraction, another part of her compelled her to stay silent. The conflict between her seething anger and heated desire raged within her, leaving her frustrated and yearning for clarity amid the chaos.

Before his intense gaze finally broke away from hers, he leaned in closer and intoned, “Trust me.” With a swift motion, he pivoted to face the woman standing to the side. “Marie, what in the world are you talking about?”

Nettie stifled a laugh at the shock that flickered across Marie’s features, but the weight of her concerns quickly overshadowed any amusement. If Casper was indeed the mastermind behind the attacks on her life, then these men were hiding secrets that could not be ignored. The notion of their “mission” sent tendrils of fear curling around her usually self-assured demeanor.

“Hey, JD. Cassie,” the sturdy man beside her rumbled. “Nettie—would it be all right if I called you that?”

Nettie nodded, her curiosity piqued despite her apprehension.

“Nettie, I’m Doc,” he introduced himself, gesturing to the tall figure behind her. “This is Pup.”

Pup, his expression a mix of curiosity and mischief, raised his eyebrows and asked, “Now?”

Doc let out an exasperated sigh, his patience clearly thinning. “Yes, now you can check if the dogs are ready.”

Nettie opened her mouth to question this abrupt command when Doc anticipated her words and silenced her with a wave. “He’s our dog handler. Well, one of them. But the handler for our team.”

“Dogs?” Nettie echoed with disbelief as she tried to absorb the weight of the situation. The very idea that her safety was perceived to be under such dire threat that powerful men felt compelled to deploy dogs as part of their security measures left her feeling unsettled. The notion seemed almost excessive, especially when she considered the possibility that Casper had orchestrated the recent shootings to intimidate her into stepping away from his brother’s case. He had achieved his goal—so why the elaborate measures, including the security team and the canine guardians?

A whirlwind of conflicting thoughts swirled in her mind, crafting a storm of confusion. If Casper had been behind those attacks, what could have motivated this ongoing charade of protection? Yet, if her instincts—usually sharp and reliable—had failed her this time, then perhaps a genuine threat lurked in the shadows, one that these men were pledged to guard her against.

Each time Casper had come to her rescue, whether his actions stemmed from a calculated plan or pure luck, it became increasingly clear he had no intention of ending her life. Logic dictated that these men would carry out their duty with similar restraint. But despite her belief in rationality, an underlying unease remained. She still felt an urgent need for the background check, which Cassie had diligently been working on. More than anything, she wanted to peel back the mystery surrounding Ash McNabb, yearning to uncover every detail of his life that could be unearthed.

The two men Casper referred to as “Cowboy” and “Nemo” approached their sturdy frames dutifully bearing a substantial black crate. Nettie felt a surge of curiosity and apprehension as she pondered the mysterious contents concealed within its opaque exterior.

Looking intently at the nearby guard, Doc shifted his stance and inquired, “May we arm ourselves?”

The guard exchanged a glance with JD, who subtly nodded in response.

“They’re assuming her protection,” JD informed the guard.

“Go ahead, but I’m staying with you until you leave the parking lot,” the guard replied, his expression firm, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

“We can deal with that,” Doc affirmed, determination hardening his features. His gaze drifted to Casper. The man stood huddled, conferring with Marie, their discussion a hush in the bustling ambiance. Meanwhile, the teenager watched with wide eyes, intrigue flickering as she took in the imposing figures of the men guarding Nettie.

Nettie stood frozen, her eyes wide as she watched the men deftly unlock and pry open the heavy wooden crate. The pungent scent of metal and oil wafted toward her, mingling with the tension in the air. Inside lay an unsettling array of weapons—gleaming handguns and rugged rifles meticulously arranged, as if awaiting inspection. A chill ran down her spine, and her hands involuntarily quivered as the gravity of the situation sank in. The men clearly believed her life was in imminent danger, a realization that sent ripples of fear coursing through her.

Doubt crept into her mind. Perhaps she had been mistaken about Casper orchestrating the recent incidents. Yet, the nagging thought that she had crossed paths with danger on two separate occasions was a coincidence too profound to dismiss.

“Nettie,” Cassie said. “I’ll have that report to you today.”

Nettie’s heart sank further. The comforting presence of Cassie and JD, who had offered her solace in a chaotic world, was slipping away. The fact that she was left in the care of men associated with HIS—a name that echoed dread—left her feeling more isolated than ever. A desperate urge to call out for JD and Cassie welled inside her, a primal instinct to flee from the uncertainty surrounding her. But she restrained herself, knowing they were bound by duty and unable to prioritize her safety.

“Thanks,” she managed to say, her voice trembling slightly. “Thank you for sitting with me last night.” She turned to JD, a flicker of gratitude in her weary eyes. “And it was nice to see you.”

“Don’t worry,” JD replied, as if he recognized the fear etched on her face. “They’re professionals. No one will get to you through them. They’ll keep you safe.”

Despite his calming words, her unease gnawed at her, reminding her of the stark reality outside their temporary refuge.

Nettie observed with curiosity and apprehension as each man donned his gear with purpose. They inserted small devices into their ears one by one, and she speculated that they were communication systems or something of that sort. High-tech surveillance equipment wasn’t her area of expertise. They could have been tuning into a football game for all she knew. Still, her instinct told her that her initial guess was likely on point.

“We’ve got her,” Doc announced confidently to JD and Cassie. The two men who had just unloaded the heavy crate maneuvered it again into position. “We’ve arranged for a rental to be delivered to the terminal, so we won’t have to travel far for transportation.”

JD nodded, his expression serious. “Jim, I’d like you to meet the team from Hamilton Investigation and Security. They’re the brave souls who saved Cassie not long ago.”

The guard offered a respectful nod in response, his demeanor betraying a sense of camaraderie. “Take care of this lady,” he instructed, his tone firm and protective.

Nettie turned to him, confusion flickering across her features. Although she had no recollection of ever meeting this guard before, there was an undeniable air of respect surrounding him.

Sensing the uncertainty radiating from her, Jim stepped closer. “We all know who you are, Miss Broussard. You inspire not just the force but every guard out there. Your relentless pursuit of true justice—refusing to settle for a quick closure—sets you apart. We appreciate you deeply and are dedicated to ensuring nothing happens to you.”

Unsure how to respond to such an unexpected compliment, Nettie smiled faintly and said, “Thank you.”

Before any further conversation could unfold, Doc and the men guided her toward a sleek black SUV that had just rolled up to the bustling terminal pickup area. A flicker of curiosity crossed her mind—why was it always black SUVs that accompanied the security details? But she quickly brushed aside the thought. There were more pressing matters than pondering their vehicles’ color.

As the team loaded two sizable kennels and an imposing black crate into the rear of the SUV, Nettie felt a sense of urgency. She was ushered into the back seat, where Cowboy, clad in a distinctive cowboy hat, settled beside her. To her right was Nemo, his warm presence grounding her in the moment. Pup took the wheel while Doc occupied the passenger seat, a reassuring figure amidst the tension.

Turning back for a final glance at Casper, she noticed his intense gaze locked onto her—an unspoken bond stretching taut between them. As the SUV pulled away, the reality of their separation weighed heavily on her. He had vowed to distance himself from her protection, leaving her with the bitter truth that she might never see him again. The thought churned in her mind, a painful acceptance that felt too soon.