Page 21 of Montana Delta Rescue
“So, there’s more than one guy trying to kill you?”
“God only knows how many,” she said and rolled her eyes again. “I can’t keep up. There was the first guy who followed me and then the second guy who tried to run me off the road and got out with a gun to shoot me. Then the third guy who followed me to the truck stop. That’s at least three since I started counting. In just the one day. Today. Who knows how many more there are? The day is not over yet. So, I’ve probably got a contract on my head or something.”
“Yesterday is over. So, the day you are talking about is over. Today is just starting as you will note by the sunrise.”
The sun was indeed rising, making it easier to see him and his huge muscles. Just as she was noticing in an intense manner how strong and muscular he really was, and how sexy he was, he tipped his head and looked at her with an odd expression. “You wouldn’t happen to be Marilyn Mae Teals, would you?”
Her jaw dropped. “How did you know?” She shook her head. “Unless you’re messing with me and you’re after me to kill me too. If so, just kill me now and get it over with. Don’t toy with my head like this.”
“The last thing I would ever do is toy with your head,” he said. “Straight up, no bullshit. That’s all I serve. But listen. You ought to know you’re in Brotherhood Protectors territory now.” He winked. “And Herc and me, we’re part of the brotherhood.”
Her jaw dropped and she stared at him, unable to believe her ears and her eyes.
He chose that moment to release her. “Now, how about we call Hank and Sadie. We’ve all been worried about you. Then I will take you to their place.”
“Finally, some good luck,” she murmured. “I thought I had completely run out.”
“I’m Rock,” he said and then he noted how she was eying his dog. “Herc won’t bite, I promise. He only does that on command when we need to take down a bad guy.”
“So,” she said. “He’s friendly?”
“Very,” he said. “But he’s a working dog. There is friendly time and then there is working time. Civilians sometimes get confused about it. When he’s working, stand aside and let him do his work. Then you two will do just fine.”
“Got it,” she said.
They walked to his SUV, and he touched his ear. “Hank, Rock here. Guess who I just found?”
“Our missing lady,” Hank said.
“Affirmative,” Rock replied. “Unharmed and ready to head your way. Is Sadie nearby to vouch for me? Since Marilyn just met Herc and me.”
“She sure is,” Hank said. “I’ll put her on. Oh, and Rock? Great job.”
“We sort of just ran into each other,” Rock said. “I didn’t do much. Here’s Marilyn.” He took his phone from his SUV, handed it to her and turned off his earpiece. Then he went to put Hercules in the back.
Watching him, Marilyn took the phone and put it to her ear. “Sadie?”
It took another few seconds but then Sadie was on the line. “Marilyn! I tried to call you so many times!”
“My phone is gone. Lost in the rental car they ran off the road!” Marilyn said.
“Ran off the road?” Sadie sounded horrified.
“Oh my God, Sadie, I was so scared!” Marilyn exclaimed.
“You’re safe now, honey,” Sadie said. “It’s going to be all right. Rock will keep you safe and bring you to us. We are all so glad you’re all right!” her relief was evident in her voice. Sadie really did care.
Marilyn released a huge exhale. “You won’t believe what all I’ve been through since I left town.”
“I want to hear all about it,” Sadie said. “Your room is ready, and the vegetable soup is still warm in the crock pot if you’re hungry. I’ll bet you’re ready for a hot shower too. It’s a long drive from California.”
“It is,” Marilyn agreed. “And I have a lot to tell you.”
“Ready?” Rock held the passenger door open for her.
He was a gentleman. But then Tony had been too.
That wasn’t something she could put much stock in anymore. Clearly her judgement in men needed some fine tuning.
