Old reflex.
Then I remember Knox’s gaze, the way he looked at me like I was beautiful without it costing him a thing.
I lift my chin a fraction. “Thanks.”
I drift toward the front to look at tops, and I catch Knox again through the window. Still on the phone. Jaw set. Eyes moving, scanning the street like it’s a problem he’s already solving.
Safe.
I’m safe.
I pay for a few tops and the jeans, bag in hand, and step out into the heat.
Knox has his back half-turned to the storefront, phone to his ear, body angled so he can see the sidewalk and the road at the same time. Guarding without looking like he’s guarding.
I take one step toward him.
A hand clamps around my wrist and yanks.
I stumble, breath punching out of me, dragged around the side of the building where the sun drops away and the alley turns cool and close.
And there he is.
A man I’ve known since I was small enough to ride on my father’s shoulders. A man who taught me how to shuffle cards. Who sat beside me at my dad’s funeral with his hand on my back like he was trying to keep me from breaking apart.
“Uncle Dave?” I breathe.
His eyes lock onto mine, sharp and urgent, and something in my chest twists.
He looks…off.
His jaw is unshaven. His clothes are plain. Nothing military. Nothing that says deployed. A ball cap pulled low. Sunglasses that hide too much.
He moves toward me like he owns the space between us.
“Sierra,” he says, voice low. “Hey, kiddo.”
Kiddo.
My throat tightens.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper, because my brain can’t catch up to my eyes. “You’re… you said you were…”
“Later,” he cuts in softly, but there’s steel under it. “Come with me.”
“No,” I say automatically. “No, I’m not… I’m with…”
His hand closes around my forearm.
“Dave,” I hiss, trying to yank back. “What…”
He leans close, mouth near my ear like we’re sharing a secret and not detonating my sanity.
“You’re in danger,” he says. “Real danger. You need to come with me right now.”
My brain stutters.
“I’m protected,” I say, too fast. “I’m with Lone Star Security. Knox is outside. Gray…”
