Page 24

“DUDE, WHAT WAS that all about?” Cowboy inquired between bites of a hefty sandwich he had grabbed from the well-stocked kitchen, crumbs scattering onto the floor.

Casper exhaled deeply, his expression clouded with memories he wished could remain buried in the past. “Just some history I’d rather not revisit.”

Doc leaned back slightly, his gaze measuring, making Casper shift in his seat and wince as he struck his wound. “Is she your daughter?” he asked, probing gently yet insistently.

With a heavy sigh, Casper leaned forward in the chair, elbows resting on his thighs. His fingers raked through his disheveled hair, revealing the strain etched into his features. “Christ, I don’t know,” he admitted. He settled back, arms draping over his thighs, locking eyes with Doc. “I guess she could be. The timeline fits.”

“You know,” Cowboy said, leaning back in his chair with a thoughtful expression, “this whole situation reminds me of when my ex popped back into my life unexpectedly.” He laughed softly, shaking his head as if the memory was amusing and frustrating. “It wasn’t pretty.”

Curiosity sparked in Casper’s eyes as he leaned forward. “How did that all turn out for you?” he asked, eager to hear more.

Cowboy’s face broke into a wide grin, a mixture of nostalgia and pride dancing across his features. “Oh, let me tell you, it took a mountain of effort to win my girl back,” he replied. “But in the end, I did manage to pull it off.”

Casper’s expression shifted slightly, a hint of confusion knitted between his brows. “But,” he clarified, “I’m not trying to win a girl.”

Cowboy erupted into laughter, a hearty sound that echoed through the room. “Ah, just keep telling yourself that,” he teased, playfully patting Casper on the shoulder as he stood and strolled back to the kitchen, the clinking of his sandwich plate cutting through their conversation.

Casper glanced over at Doc and Pup with an earnest look. “I really am not,” he insisted.

Doc shook his head, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “Thou doest protest too much,” he quipped, clearly amused by the whole exchange.

Casper leaped from his chair, the scraping sound of the legs against the floor punctuating the room’s silence. He made his way to the kitchen, the cool air offering a refreshing contrast to the tension that hung in the air. “Did you encounter any problems?” he inquired moments before pulling open the gleaming door of the refrigerator. The light inside flickered on, revealing an impressive array of food and drink. He reached for a bottle of crisp, cold water, his eyes scanning the well-stocked shelves, filled with enough provisions to last them for over a week. It never ceased to amaze him how Devon managed to prepare for any possible scenario that lay ahead.

Behind him, Doc stood casually against the doorjamb, his muscular arms crossed tightly over his broad chest, exuding a calm confidence. “No issues on my end. How about you?” he replied.

After taking a long, satisfying swig of the refreshing spring water, Casper shook his head, the bottle crinkling in his grip. “No problems, but I’ve got news that could alter the course of our mission.”

“Why the hell didn’t you lead with that?” Doc asked, his brow furrowed in annoyance.

With a dramatic roll of his eyes, Casper shot back, “Because you all were too busy poking around in my affairs first.”

“Touché,” Doc conceded, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he turned on his heel, striding toward the living area to gather the rest of the group.

Casper quickly followed.

As Doc, Pup, and Cowboy gathered around Casper in the living area, he leaned in, activating his microphone with a deliberate push. “Nemo?” he called.

“About time you showed your sorry face,” came the reply, laden with easy camaraderie.

“You missed me that much, huh?” Casper shot back, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he glanced toward the dark silhouette of the trees just beyond their safe house, where Nemo was likely tucked away, blending into the shadows.

“Like a Southerner misses the mosquitoes,” Nemo quipped, his tone dripping with playful sarcasm.

Casper’s expression shifted as he surveyed the room, his gaze landing on Nettie—their eyes met briefly, and he felt a prickle of unease. How much had she overheard? He wasn’t quite prepared to delve into the intricacies of his personal life with her. Why would he? Their shared moment—a kiss—had felt fleeting, a spell cast amid the chaos of their world.

Yet, the weight of the unsaid hung between them. He’d experienced plenty of intense connections without ever baring his soul, so why did it seem different this time? The atmosphere thickened with unspoken words as he wrestled with the unexpected impulse to explain himself.

“You may as well come out and join us,” Casper called out, the sound echoing through the corridor as all heads turned toward Nettie, who stood hesitantly at the end.

“I—uh,” she stammered, clearing her throat nervously. “I just wanted something to drink.” Her eyes flickered between the group and the floor, but Casper could sense there was more to her hesitation. He could almost bet that her real intention was to eavesdrop, yet a part of him hoped she had ventured from the safety of her room, drawn by the sound of his voice.

“Well, grab something from the fridge and come hang out with us,” he encouraged, a friendly smile on his face. His gaze shifted to Cowboy, anticipating the usual sarcastic comment or an inappropriate quip aimed at Nettie, and prepared to give him a sharp warning glare.

To his surprise, Cowboy raised both hands in mock surrender, a playful grin spreading across his face. Mischief danced in his eyes as he met Casper’s gaze, silently promising to keep his tongue in check—for now.

Once Nettie settled in the floral armchair vacated by Pup, she reached down and stroked Daisy’s fur. The dog lay protectively at her feet without Pup issuing a verbal command. “Her fur is so soft.”

Pup beamed with pride, his chest puffing out at the compliment. “Thanks,” he said, a broad grin stretching.

Casper rotated his neck, feeling the subtle crack of his joints. He knew he had to intervene quickly. If he allowed Pup to continue, the boy could launch into an endless monologue about dogs, his favorite topic. “Nettie,” he said, shifting his attention to her, “how much did you overhear?”

Her eyes locked onto his, intense and inquisitive. “Not much,” she replied, her tone revealing a layer of understanding that suggested she was aware of the complicated situation with his daughter.

That realization weighed heavily on him. He had a pressing issue to tackle, one that loomed more significant than the unresolved problems regarding family—an urgent matter that could transform his relationship with her yet again.

Casper leaned forward. “I won’t beat around the bush,” he declared, his eyes momentarily flickering away from the group to rest on Nettie sitting across from him. The tension in the room thickened as he delivered the shocking news. “David Baker is in the hospital.”

Nettie’s eyes widened in disbelief, and her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp. “What’s wrong?”.

“Single car crash.” A flicker of doubt crossed Casper’s mind about the details of that accident, but he quickly pushed it aside. He needed to keep Nettie safe. The instinctive urge to shield her surged within him as he sensed someone was closing in on the edges of a case they were both entangled in. He felt a volatile anger brewing beneath the surface but couldn’t afford to let it spill over now.

In an instant, Nettie shot up from her seat, the worry in her eyes transforming into determination. “I have to go see him and make sure he’s okay,” she insisted.

“Nettie—” Casper implored, standing and stepping forward to calm her.

“Was his wife and child with him?” she pressed on.

“Nettie—” Casper tried again, desperation creeping into his tone.

“Oh, poor Julie and Ashley,” she murmured, her heartache evident.

Casper touched her arm gently, trying to ground her in the moment. “Nettie.” He waited until she looked at him, her full attention now captured. “You aren’t going anywhere but to work.”

The air crackled with surprise as an exclamation of disbelief echoed from behind him, startled voices murmuring, “What the fuck?” along with the throaty command, “Bring it in, Nemo.” The shift in the tension was palpable as the men around them transitioned from a state of protective custody to a vigilant protection detail, ready to shield Nettie and ready themselves for whatever lay ahead.

“What do you mean, ‘I’m going back to work?’” Nettie asked, her brows furrowed in confusion, the sudden shift in her circumstances taking him by surprise. “I thought it wasn’t safe, and that was why I was brought here?”

Casper stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his expression serious. “That’s correct,” he replied, his tone firm.

“You convinced me that someone was out to get me,” Nettie pressed, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized him.

“Someone is,” Casper affirmed, his gaze steady and unwavering.

“Then why on earth am I leaving?” Nettie’s voice was tinged with panic. “I thought I was working remotely to stay safe.”

“DA King revoked that approval,” Casper explained, his posture indicating that he was not about to bend on this issue. “He wants you in the office and the courtroom because you have cases to pick up from ADA Baker.”

Nettie’s eyes widened. “Does this include your brother’s case?” she whispered.

Casper nodded slowly, the weight of the confirmation hanging heavy in the air between them. “It does.”

She stepped away from him. “Then I can’t be around you,” she insisted. “I won’t risk being discredited or disbarred. Those men can protect me.”

Her gaze shifted to the others in the room. Desperation was evident in her eyes as she implored them for support. “Can’t you?”

The men nodded in solemn agreement, their silence a tacit acknowledgment of the gravity of her situation. Yet, it was clear that this was Casper’s operation, and he held the reins to her protection, whether she liked it or not.

“If everyone could find a seat, I’ll go over the plan,” Casper said as he surveyed the group. He watched patiently as they settled into their spots—Pup perched on the arm of Cowboy’s chair, his small frame contrasting with Cowboy’s rugged bulk. At the same time, Doc maneuvered himself into an oversized armchair that seemed almost overwhelmed by his broad shoulders and robust build. Although Casper towered over his companions, it was Doc’s impressive physique that indeed commanded attention. He was built like a linebacker, all sinewy muscle and strength, without an ounce of excess weight.

Nemo stepped through the door with a quiet resolve, his rifle resting in his hand. He made his way to the stripped couch where Casper sat.

“She’s right,” Casper addressed the group. “I can’t be part of her visible protection detail.”

A wave of realization swept through the group, illuminating their expressions as smiles blossomed on their faces. They exchanged knowing glances, their eyes glinting with mutual comprehension of the deeper meaning behind Casper’s words. The air grew electric with camaraderie, and each man silently acknowledged their shared understanding of their circumstances. Their bond deepened in recognition.

Nettie leaned forward, her brow furrowing in confusion. “So,” she began slowly, “just these four?”

Casper’s face broke into a wide grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Oh, you’ll still have the five of us,” he replied confidently.

“But I thought you just said—” Nettie started, but Casper cut her off smoothly.

“I said visible protection,” he clarified, leaning back on the sofa with ease. “No one will know I’m part of your protection detail. I’ll be the one inside your home, keeping watch.”

Nettie’s body went rigid, the weight of his implication settling heavily on her. Time seemed to stand still as his words lingered in the air, and then, as if struck with sudden clarity, she sprang from her seat, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Oh hell no, you won’t be!” she exclaimed, disbelief and indignation coloring her tone.