“Bye for now.” The call ended.
His jaw ticked, and he swiped his face. Troy told Julian what the caller said. “I can’t let anything happen to her.”
“We won’t let anything happen to her. Tonight, you will take two backup vehicles.” Julian frowned, tapping his finger against his thigh.“Why is he calling you about Gwen? You’re sure it’s different from the other callers?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. All different male voices. I doubled security on her after the first call and the dog. I know, I need to talk with her about this.” Didhewant to know what this was about?
“I’m exerting my leadership role. I’ll brief Gwen.” Julian shifted in his seat.
“Thanks.” Troy sagged in his seat with relief, then changed the subject. “What’s your plan, Daddy?”
Julian smiled. “Wait until the call. Terry or Logan will go with us. Two from 3-Sierra will pick up our OB. My mom or sister and Holly’s friend Paula will be with Sadie. And I’ll be coach.”
“You realize your plan is going to crash and burn, but Holly will be fine.” Troy laughed as Julian made a face.
PA Tim Holland walked through the open door. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Come on in. We’re finished. Tim, are you armed?” Julian asked.
“Yes, sir. Is something wrong?” Tim crunched his brows.
“Troy is receiving unsettling phone calls about Gwen. You will have two two-person backup teams. If you’re not comfortable driving, I can get you a driver,” Julian said.
“Mr. Crockett had me go through a renewal on emergency vehicle operations as well as tactical operations. And Ms. West went through one on horseback.”
“I told you that crack to Wes’s head made him crazier.” Troy laughed.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Tim, thank you for taking this assignment. Troy is very important to me.” Julian headed out.
* * *
Gwen was mortifiedshe’d puked in the boss’s office. She sat at her desk for twenty minutes before she was able to take in her new office space. It was beautiful. A mahogany desk was the room’s showpiece. Bookcases created a room divider, separating her desk and a small table for four from a small loveseat and an overstuffed chair in neutral tones of beige, moss green and blue. She had a bathroom and the other add-ons of surround sound, a gun safe, mini coffee bar and assorted technical equipment.
She hoped to move up in the company one day. She’d expected the opportunity to be the XO to Troy Bremen. She’d worried she’d have to turn down the promotion—until Julian saved her. I’m supposed to be the saver.He made her XO for Kip Brennan upon his arrival, as well as a security chief. Being here, hearing Davidson Boyle’s name, she was so unfocused. Could she do her job?
Her heart fluttered remembering the kiss with Troy in Virginia. She knew it was a stress reaction to their situation. But the memory of that kiss would stay with her forever and awakened another desire she thought had died overseas.
The floor-to-ceiling windows gave her a view of the Pacific. It was a deep blue like she remembered. The swirl of the waves morphed into the flashing blue lights of emergency vehicles surrounding the jet.
“Gwenny? Gwenny?” The military police officer shook her shoulder. She looked up into the eyes of the man she was planning to marry. “Welcome home. I’m here,” William Cook said.
“Gwen?” Trask stood in the doorway.
She turned in her chair and smiled. “Yes.”
“Ready for a meeting with the other first deputies?”
Gwen nodded.
Chapter 8
“What do you think?” Troy asked Tim Holland.
“He spoke to his mom after thesomethingthat happened?” Tim asked.
“Yeah, his mom told Trask, since he was found and transferred to the psych hospital, he hasn’t said a word. And he hasn’t eaten. He’s tolerating the IV, but if he doesn’t eat soon…” Troy worried.
“How did you get Gwen to head back to Julian’s?” He tilted his head to the side.
