Page 9 of Rett

“Why are those men after him?” she asked quietly. “He said he didn’t think he hurt anyone. I asked him that question specifically. He said he was sure that he didn’t. Did he?”

“They think he murdered a woman, but we know he didn’t. He couldn’t. It’s not how he’s built. We think it’s probably a setup, and they want something else. We just don’t know what it is.”

“And I’m in the way,” she said, staring at them.

“You’re not in the way. You’re caught in the middle. We’re going to protect you and keep you safe until this is over,” said Otto.

“And if it’s never over?”

CHAPTER FIVE

Otto didn’t have an answer for Casey. At least not one she would like, so he kept it to himself. As they approached the front of the property, Casey looked back, giving a strange expression.

“It’s like we went through an invisible tunnel,” she mused.

“Sort of like that,” smirked Luc.

“Oh, what a pretty little café! Is it any good?” she asked.

“One of the best in the state,” smiled Gabe. “Our family owns that as well. You’ll meet Sara, who helps run it. She’s an amazing chef and baker. We have a lot of those here. We need a lot of those here.”

When they approached the massive iron gates, she watched as Luc placed his hand against the pad, then typed in at least seven numbers. It was a complex alarm system, which made her relieved but also curious. What the hell was behind these gates?

“That gate back there protects us from the rest of the world,” said Otto. “Don’t leave this property; don’t approach that gate without one of us. No one gets close to us without our knowing about it.”

“There are more of you?” she asked. Luc rounded the curve, and a massive circus-like tent appeared, strung with lights, music blasting from inside, and people laughing.

“You’re having a party?” she asked.

“No, honey. We’re having a wedding. Dan and Finley were married earlier today. We do weddings, birthdays, holidays, pretty much everything, in a very big way. I think you met our mother, Irene, at Peaceful Endings,” said Luc.

“Oh, yes! She made those wonderful coconut cakes,” she said excitedly. They laughed, parking the truck and taking Casey’s bag out of the back.

“I’ll put this in your cottage,” said Gabe. “You go enjoy the party and get some food.”

“No. No, I can’t do that. Look at me! I’m not dressed for a wedding.”

“Honey, look around you. We have the wedding, then everyone rushes home and changes into comfortable clothes for the party. Just go on inside with Otto. He’ll make sure you get some food.”

Casey followed her ever-vigilant guard into the tent, but every time they took a step toward food, he introduced her to another dozen people. She’d never remember all their names, and the more she looked at them, the more she felt insecure about her own appearance.

“Casey, you have beautiful hair,” said Keegan. “I own a salon on the property.”

“Oh, thank you,” she said, touching her hair self-consciously. “I have to be honest. I don’t do much with it, which is why it’s so long. I just braid it, pull it up, and go to work.”

“But it’s beautiful,” said the deep baritone voice. She turned to see her knight in shining armor, although looking a little worse for wear.

“Well, hello,” she smirked. He shook his head, clearly upset with himself.

“Casey, I’m so damn sorry you got dragged into this. I never would have put you in danger. Never.”

“It’s alright. I knew that, although Otto yelled at me for letting you in my apartment,” she smirked. “Do I at least get a formal introduction now?” He laughed, shaking his head.

“Everett Wolfkill, but my friends and family call me Rett.”

“Nice to meet you,” she said, shaking his big hand.

“Are you sure you don’t have indigenous blood in you? You look like my family,” he said.

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