The seasoned officer’s brows are lower, harder now that he realizes River’s under private protective detail. He also knows, just like I do, there’s no good reason for River’s brand new truck to be burning to ash in the middle of nowhere.
Especially not when there’s a suspected threat against her.
It’s too coincidental. And if it is a fluke, then so be it. But I’m not taking chances.
River, sitting stiffly in the passenger seat, demands, “What’s going on? What are you talking about being exposed?”
The officer looks at me, his expression saying it all. He’s not going to assume responsibility for a Lone Star Security primary.
“I’ll lead the way to the station,” he says.
“Copy that.”
When he turns on his heel and strides back to his SUV, River’s gasp is loud. “He just left me with a deranged lunatic. You could be a murderer.”
Technically I am, but that’s another conversation altogether.
“We’re following him to the station,” I tell her.
Anything else she says is drowned by the firetruck’s arrival. The roaring engine shakes the ground. Two more vehicles arrive with lights on their dashboards. Men fan out, grabbing gear, leaping into action.
More variables. More distractions. More possible threats.
I need her out of here fast.
Turning my attention back to River, I rest my arm on the roof of the truck and lean down so there’s no mistaking howserious I am right now. “Take a good look at me. I’m 6’6” and two seventy-five. I run, I train, I tackle like an animal on its prey. If you get out of the truck, I’ll chase you down and bring you back. Do you understand that I will not be happy?”
She glares at me, anger licking red streaks across her face. “I don’t know what’s going on, but if you know my brother, then call him. Right now. My phone was in the truck or I’d be calling him to find out who the hell you are.”
“That’s going to be hard, he’s OCONUS.”
She blinks up at me, reality knocking her back in the seat. Her brother’s on a mission outside the US.
“God,” she exhales, looking at me like I’ve slapped her. “When will he be back?”
“Four months.”
She looks away from me, color seeping out of her complexion. “What did that cop mean when he asked if you’re working?”
I consider my options. The playing field for the assignment is completely different than it was half an hour ago.
“I need to call my boss.” I close the door, put her saddle in the back seat and walk around the hood of the truck, keeping one eye on her.
She’s stewing when I start the engine and pull away from the side of the road, falling in behind the Sheriff.
Gray answers on the second ring. “You calling with good news?”
“No.”
“Fuck. That’s my least favorite word.”
“Mine too.” I flick a glance toward River who is staring straight ahead and if I’m reading her right, she’s plotting my demise.
“I’m with The Rhinestone.”
Whatever Gray was doing on the other end of the line stops when he hears River’s code name. No more walking or thumping or whatever the hell was going on.
“Something happened?”
