Page 53 of Instinct & New Identity

Both sisters were already protesting this before he even finished his sentence.

“Is there any other option?”Catasked.

“No way.Ifeel safe here, andIdon’t want to move again,”Valargued.

“Due respect, but if you were safe, someone wouldn’t have found you,”Keyssaid back, andIfelt my hackles rising.

“Vince and his partners run a security and private investigations business.Whycan’t they just protect us?”Valpointed out, andIappreciated her having that faith in us.

“Some small bodyguard business can’t give you the protection theMarshalsServicecan,”Keyspushed back, and now this man had officially pissed me off even more.

“Due respect,”Axelspat back at theMarshalusing his own words. “Ifound their location in less than three days and put two and two together that they were formerWITSEC.”

“We can offer a few extra patrols of your building, but that’s all the manpower we have to offer,”OfficerGreeradded.

You could heardKeyssigh through the phone. “TwoMarshalswill be at your location in less than thirty minutes.Youhave until that time to make the decision about what you want to do.Withthe main assailants deceased, you are not obligated to use our services, thoughIhighly recommend it if you want to stay safe.Letme know what you decide.”

Keys hung up, and the room went quiet.

“I don’t want to leave,Cat.Ilike it here,”Valspoke first.

“We’re going to step out for a few moments into the hallway and make a few calls, but we’ll stay until theMarshalsarrive and you decide so we can figure out the best way to stay in contact with you,”OfficerHesssaid.

Nobody spoke until the officers were both in the hallway, and then several people all jumped in at once.Axel’swhistle broke through the noise of everyone’s voices.

“Devil’s advocate here, but they could always go with theMarshalstemporarilyfor a few days while everyone assesses the threat, and then they can come back,”Axeljustified.

“I lost her for seven years.I’mnot losing her again,”Iargued.

“AndIjust found a jobIlike, andIdon’t want to run.Otherwise, these assholes win,”Valshot back.

“If they found us here, they could find you at the pub,Val,”Catprotested.

“You heardEllie’sstory,”Valsaid. “Afterher kidnapping incident, these guys put more cameras up in and around that pub than they probably have atFortKnox.”

Cat sighed and began to argue back, butArcherinterrupted.

“Unconventional optionC,”Archersaid to the room, then paused to make sure all were listening.

First, he pulled out his phone and pressed a few buttons then turned toJackand asked him if he wanted to move out a few days early.Notsure where he was going with that,Iwaited, watchingJacknod in response.Suddenly,Wade’svoice came out fromArcher’sphone.

“What’s the update?” he asked.

“Got a planIwanted to run by you,”Archersaid to the phone. “Accordingto theMarshals, they recommend putting the ladies in protective custody for a few days until they can evaluate the threat a bit more.Neitherof them appears to want that, nor doesVince.”

“I’m guessing you got another option,”Wadeassessed out loud.

“Vince’s parents have a cabin up in the northGeorgiamountains,”Archerinformed everyone in the room, and instantly,Iknew where this plan was headed. “Hecould takeCatandValup there for several days to give theMarshalsand the localPDsome time to do some digging.”

“What about my shifts?”Valcomplained. “Wedon’t know this guy made the connection to me working at the pub.Hell, technically the note was just toCatanyway.I’dlike to stay here.CanIuse the cop drive-by option?”

“Hold up,Val,”Archercut her off. “Theotheroption isVincetakesCatup to the mountains, but you stay here.”

“What?”Catshouted.

“I’m listening,”Valreplied more calmly, crossing her arms, but she looked intrigued.

“Jack’s new place is ready, we’ve just been waiting on the paperwork from the lawyer, butIdon’t give a shit if he moves in a few days ahead of schedule, andIdoubtVincedoes either.”

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