Page 54 of Instinct & New Identity

Archer looked to me for silent confirmation, andInodded, giving him my agreement.

“So,Valmoves intoJack’scurrent apartment above the pub and our offices,”Archeroutlined. “Weknow that place is safe, and we can do the same thing with her that we did withEllieby escorting her to and from her shifts at the pub, and if she has off days, she can either stay in the apartment or hang withRuthiein our offices.”

“I canman the bar the next few days and walk her to and from the pub just to be sure,”Wadeoffered. “I’mliterally going across the hall, so it’s no problem.”

“We shouldn’t be separated,Val,”Catargued.

“Sis,Ilove you,”Valsaid with a small grin on her face. “Butif you andVincego up to this cabin in the mountains, it’s going to turn into some honeymooners lodge, andIreally don’t want to be a third wheel for that passion project.”

Axel andJacksnorted, andIsawArchergrin.Cat’smouth shut quickly, and she began blushing.Iknew what she was thinking, too, and honestly,Vallikely wasn’t wrong.ThoughIwouldn’t be rude or disrespectful toVal,Ialso didn’t want to hide whatCatandIwere starting.

“Cat,Iunderstand where you’re coming from, but from a protection standpoint, it’s actually safer for you two to be in separate locations,”Archerconveyed.

I knew whatArcherwas trying to tellCat.Theemotional support was better when they were together, but strictly from a safety standpoint, both sisters would be at an increased risk if the location they were hidden in was found.Also, separately hidden individuals were less likely to attract attention, especially these two, since they were gorgeous women who would attract attention anyway.Igently explained all of this toCat, so that she would understandArcher’spoint.

“One week,”Valasserted. “Yougo to the mountains, andIstay inJack’splace for one week.IftheMarshalsor cops can’t find this guy or determine if the threat is over, then we can go back to the idea about protective custody.”

“Two days,”Catcountered. “Toomuch could go wrong in a week.”

“And two days isn’t long enough for them to do a thorough digging,”Valdisagreed.

“Let’s do four days,”Ithrew in. “Enoughtime for them to do a full comprehensive search, and us to come up with some alternative options in case they can’t find anything.”

All the men grunted in approval, which left the decision up toCatandVal.

“I get it,Val, but if we go withKeys’speople, we won’t be puttingVinceand the others in danger,”Catargued.

I wholly disagreed with her. “Babe, you are not leaving just because you think you’re protecting me.That’snot how this works.We’rea team now.Youdon’t just get to make a decision like that and cut me out of it.”

She stared up at me, a mix of surprise and admiration on her face.

I leaned closer, my voice quieter but still firm. “Iknow you think walking away is the right move, but it’s not.You’renot protecting me by leaving—you’re just giving them another chance to hurt you, andIwon’t let that happen.”

“I like that answer,”Valinterjected. “WhatVincesaid.”

The sisters looked at each other and seemed to agree out of default to a stalemate.I’dtake it, becauseIknew our crew could do a lot in four days.Plusknowing the cops and marshals were also helping would add to the odds of finding this asshole.

* * *

Thirty minutes later, after a brief but tense conversation with theMarshalswho had shown up, the ladies were packed and ready to go their separate ways.JackandWadewere coming to pick upValto escort her over toJack’sapartment.

“Oh myGod.Stopacting like a sap, and like you’re never going to see me again,”Valsaid toCatas she putHarryin his travel crate.

The plan was to take her out through the parking garage on a very long roundabout way to make sure if anyone was following them, they wouldn’t be led straight toVal’snew residence.Danewould follow in another vehicle at a safe distance to keep an eye out in case anyone was following them.

“Val,I’mallowed to be emotional,”Catreplied as her eyes welled up with tears. “Wehaven’t been apart for more than a few hours in seven years.”

“Oh,I’maware,”Valdeadpanned. “Ilove you, butIthink a break will be good for both of us.”

ClearlyValwas ready to be on her own and looking forward to this reprieve, even if the circumstance behind the move was serious.Iwas also looking forward to some alone time withCat.Itwould be good for her to get away and just relax and take some time off.Ialso wouldn’t mind some naked alone time, too, ifIwere being honest.

“Now, follow your dreamboat drill sergeant here, and go enjoy some time off,”Valdemanded as she handedHarry’scrate toCat.

SinceCatandIlikely wouldn’t be leaving the cabin except to go to the grocery store to get some items or short walks around the property, it was decided that it would be better forHarryto come with us.

WhileCatandValhad packed their things,Jackhad pulledArcherand me aside and explained that movingValinto his apartment made the most sense since he was moving out anyway, but the new furniture he bought wasn’t supposed to be delivered for two more days.Hehadn’t said anything in front of everyone because he didn’t want anyone to try to alter the plan we had just set up for protecting the sisters.Archeroffered to letJackcrash on his couch until the furniture came, butItold them both that the best scenario was to haveJackstay at my place.

Not only was it a place forJackto crash until his new items were delivered, but it also gave us the opportunity to keep an eye out if anything else happened whileCatandIwere up in the mountains.

---