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She gave me a look that said I was being obtuse. "It's Code. He's working. That's what all these boys do when they're on a mission."

I almost laughed. Only Angelica would refer to these powerful men as boys.

Little Grandma stood at the hostess stand when I walked into the Down Home Diner.

"Hello, dear." Her sharp eyes took in everything. "To-go order?"

"Two daily specials, please."

"For you and that handsome man at Onyx?" Her smile was knowing.

"How did you..."

"Word travels." She patted my hand. "Don't you worry. We take care of our own here. You're safe with Code Drakos."

Lettie appeared with two containers before I could respond. "Chicken-fried steak and mashed potatoes tonight. Best in three counties. One of Code’s favorites."

"Thank you, but how do you…?"

Little Grandma and Lettie exchanged glances.

"Honey," Little Grandma said gently, "we know everything."

I paid and left, my mind spinning. This town was like nothing I'd ever experienced. They knew who I was, what I was doing, probably why I was here. But instead of treating me like a commodity, they'd circled the wagons. Protected me.

The Onyx Security building looked different in the late afternoon light. I balanced the takeout bags and pushed at the door. It was open.

"I'm upstairs," Code called out. I climbed the stairs, my heart beating faster than the climb warranted. Through the open conference room door, I could see him surrounded by screens, his profile lit by blue light.

He didn't look up when I entered, but his fingers paused on the keyboard.

"I brought dinner."

“You didn’t have to do that,” Code said. Then his stomach growled loudly and I hid my smile. Those ladies at Down Home Diner really did know everything.