The black Lexus with the tinted windows and blacked out license plate sat in the parking lot as I picked away at my French fries. I wasn’t hungry for the stupid diet I’d put myself on had me eat a bowl of fruits a mere twenty-five minutes before the fates proved I hadn’t lost my mind. I figured as long as I was inside, with people around, I’d be safe.

Dipping a fry into some mayonnaise with one hand, I used the other to send a quick text.

Star. SOS.

Simple, but effective.

Within seconds, my phone chimed and I had to smile. There was something to say about having loyal friends in life.

Hang tight. I’m on my way.

Anyone else would send an address. I didn’t have to. If there was one thing I knew, no matter what dark hole I was in, if there was a computer close by I could access, Axel “Swede” Svenson would always be able to find me with a few taps on his keyboard.

I wasn’t sure if it was cute or creepy and I didn’t care.

With a sigh, I sipped from my soda and waved at the waitress. She quickly jogged over and I smiled up at her.

“I know I said I didn’t want anything heavy to eat,” I said. “But, I hear your mushroom cheddar burger is to die for.”

She giggled. “I have to admit, I had to swear off them.” The young woman tapped her belly. “Trying to keep it tight for the future husband, you know?”

I laughed. “I get it. Can I have that on the sesame seed bun?”

“Sure, you can. And, want a refill?” She pointed to my drink. “They’re free.”

I nodded.

When I was alone again, I shifted in my seat so I could see out the glass again. The car was still there.

When I first told the producers at the studio someone was following me, they beefed up security on the grounds. But what was I supposed to do after leaving? I couldn’t very well call the cops and report being followed. They would have just laughed me out of town as another crazy woman with schizophrenic tendencies. After all, even I wasn’t sure it was really happening. But then the threatening calls started.

The first was just someone phoning my house and not saying anything when I picked up. The number was always blocked and even trying to trace it hadn’t worked. Then the strange man told me I was dead.

Well, I couldn’t ignore the threat, could I? Then again, if I didn’t know better I would be laughing. The voice was almost comical. But threats in my line of work, though a regular thing, had never been a laughing matter. My studio called the police and they’d put a bug on my phone. The perpetrators simple stopped calling. They backed off but the moment a patrol car stopped babysitting me, it started all over again.

I knew investigative journalism wouldn’t endear me to most. Hell, the only people who didn’t treat me like a spy were the Brotherhood Protectors. Each time I thought to quitting, I reminded myself I didn’t start in the field to make friends.

The thing was, I hated liars. I hated people who used their power to take advantage of the poor, weak and the stupid. Politicians, athletes, actors—none of them were beyond my judgment.

And I showed no mercy.

Sure, I wasn’t perfect. I didn’t pray to the ancestors like a good little girl. I smoked for four years in my late teens and I had a very public affair with a married man—in my defense I didn’t know he was married. His wife and I had become best friends since I help her get more than her fair share of his things when they split.

But I never once lied or hid my faults. I was woman enough to make the mistakes, I had to be woman enough to face the consequences.

The people I expose, on the other hand, tried hiding it all with threats, bribery, ruining other people’s careers, even murder. I felt no shame in my job.

It was becoming more and more of a safety issue, however.

Someone inside the car rolled down their window and tossed out a can. It hit the pavement and tumbled beneath the car beside them. I made a mental note and finished up the fries I had first ordered.

By then, the waitress brought my burger over with an extra set of French fries. The burger stunned me since it was bigger than anything I’d ever be able to bite.

“Cut it in half and squeeze down,” the waitress said. She must have seen the horror on my face at the sheer size of the thing. “Trust me, it works.”

“Can’t I just be like Shaggy and Scooby Doo and tie it with a string?” I teased.

“Hey, those two are not normal.” The waitress laughed. “And I don’t think that would work. You’d be pooping rope for days.”

I laughed out loud, thanked her and picked up one of the fresh fries. It burned my finger, but I merely ignored the pain, dunked it in what was left of my mayonnaise and shoved a half of it into my mouth.

The bell above the diner’s door jangled and I glanced up. The massive frame that was so familiar to me filled the doorway. Swede removed his sunglasses and glanced around. When he saw me, he hurried over and fell into the booth. The seat was set up so anyone who was looking in through the window would only see me and not who I was with. I’d purposefully asked to be seated there for that reason.

“What’s going on?” Swede asked, his blue eyes darkening.

“I know you saw the black car across the lot with the two guys in it,” I said.

Swede cut my burger in two and bit into one half. He nodded while chewing.

“They’ve been following me around.” I explained. “It’s been happening for a while now and there’s nothing the cops can do or want to do about it.”

“Give me your phone.” Swede extended a large palm.

Reluctantly, I dropped my phone into it. I watched as he opened the back, popped out the battery and sim card then placed them into his pocket. “Okay, tell me everything.”

I picked up the other half of the burger and bit it. The waitress arrived to see if Swede wanted anything. He got a coffee, black, two sugars. When the waitress flirted with him, he merely lifted his ring finger. She hurried off, cheeks flushed.

That made me chuckle.

“So, about a month ago I started getting random calls at weird hours of the night.” I began. “At first no one said anything. The numbers were always blocked. Then the heavy breathing, and the computer altered voice threatening me. My studio called the cops and they did bug my phone but the calls stopped. After the cops backed off, the calls started again and the car appeared.”

“I told you this job of yours was liable to get you killed.” His handsome face twisted in a frown.

I knew he worried about me. This man had been protecting me ever since I could remember. Being the only Hopi in a room always drew stares and whispered words—people hadn’t always been kind. But, Swede and Hank were always the best example of how great men could be to me.

“Can you please not lecture me now?” I pleaded. “I really don’t think I can handle it.”

“Star, you have to stop doing this!” Swede said. He set what was left of the side of burger on the plate and leaned close. “I know there are truths to be told but at what cost to you?”

I frowned at him. “You’re lecturing.”

Swede sighed. Instead of speaking he wiped his fingers on a piece of napkin and pulled out his cell. He tapped away at it for a few silent moments then shoved it into his pocket.

“Okay,” he said. He dropped money on the table.

“What are you doing?” I asked. “Put that away.”

“Are we really going to argue semantics right now?”

“Swede…”

“Take off your coat,” he said, peeling his leather jacket off. “It’s a man’s jacket but they won’t know the difference.”

“What? You’re going to put mine on?”

Swede smirked. “Lady, I doubt that thing would fit one of my thighs. I’m going to fold it and toss it over my arm. When you move further into the place, I need to you roll up your hair and put on this hat. Give me your car keys.”

He pulled a baseball hat from the inside pocket of his light coat—I’m assuming it was to hide a gun—and set it on the table as I placed my keys down.

“Once we get outside, I want you to go left out the door and walk three cars do. You’ll see a black truck that looks like something I’d drive.. Get in, tell the GPS home and drive. I’ll meet you there.”

“What are you up to?”

“Do you really want to know?” Swede asked with a smirk.

I titled my head.

He exhaled dramatically. “That car has an onboard computer.” A wide grin spread his face. “I don’t know how much firepower they have, so until I do—technological warfare, baby.”

Yep, he was right. I didn’t want to know. Hopefully, he’d set the damn thing to explode.

Scooting from the table, I dug an extra twenty from my wallet. I collected his keys and the hat from the table, picked up his larger jacket and hurried over to my waitress. After shrugging into the coat and rolling my hair up for the hat, I folded the money and pressed it into her palm. She grinned and I looked back at Swede who was now standing at his full height.

“Too bad he’s married.” The waitress confided. “That man is….” She trailed off to fan herself dramatically.

I was used to that reaction to Swede. No matter what injury he’d sustained in deployment, women still went gaga over him. Unfortunately for them, Swede was now with a woman who would cut a chick for messing with her man.

“Yeah—too bad.” I winked at the waitress.

With a final look at Swede, I dipped out the door and hurried in the direction he’d told me. My heart hammered inside my chest and I worried for my friend. I didn’t want anything to happen to him because he was protecting me. What would I tell Allie? How would I explain it to her?

Though I wanted to look back, I knew I couldn’t.

When I arrived at the large, black truck, I quickly hauled myself into it and slammed the door. By the time I managed to drag my seatbelt on, and glanced toward the restaurant, Swede was standing at my car. Though I started the ignition for the truck, I waited until Swede was in my Rolls Royce, with the headlights on before I, activated the GPS.

“Home.” My voice trembled.

“Processing…”

Soon, the address was set and I pulled from the spot. I took the chance of glancing back to see Swede heading out the opposite exit. The men from the black Lexus were out of their car and kicking at the tires.

Whatever Swede had done had disabled their vehicle and they couldn’t follow him even if they wanted to.

I smirked.

I owed that man a beer—or four.

Arriving at the location the GPS brought me, I didn’t understand what it was. It wasn’t the ranch they used as the office for Brotherhood Protectors, but it was a ranch. Though it wasn’t as sprawling as the others around it, the place still gave off a home feeling. There was one vehicle in the driveway, but I could tell this wasn’t Swede’s home. He wouldn’t have sent me where his Allie was if he thought danger would follow.

Before I could climb out, the front door opened, and a German Sheppard barreled out ahead of a large man with a limp. I smiled and pushed open the heavy door. Gripping the handle, I lowered myself to the dirt and instantly hunched down to scratch Six behind the ears. “Hi!” I chirped. “You remember me?”

Six licked my nose and I laughed.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” I hugged his neck before kissing the dog between the eyes.

“Hello, Star.” Joseph Kuntz said.

“Kujo—hey.”

I wasn’t sure if I should shake his hand, hug him or walk away. We hadn’t really been in touch. I spoke to Swede more times than anyone else. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the rest of the team. I did—they were great men and women. It was just, Swede had always been my friend. I met him when I was sent to shadow another team on deployment.

Kujo, pulled me into a hug and I grinned and returned the squeeze.

“Come inside. Swede gave me the head’s up.”

I nodded and as he pressed a large hand to the small of my back to lead me toward the door, Kujo whistled for his dog to follow. With all three of us inside, Kujo checked his watch and closed the door.

“Do you know where he is?”

“He’s coming. He just had to make sure he’s not being followed first.” Kujo explained.

I’d always wondered about that—them giving him a name after a deranged, serial killing movie mutt. Though, from what I knew about the guys, Joseph’s nickname was spelt differently—Probably had something to do with his name.

He offered me food, but I couldn’t take another bite. I did accept coffee. It was always a good time for coffee.

It didn’t take much longer for Swede to arrive. We sat down to talk shop. They even called their leader, Hank to discuss what would happen with me. They didn’t have a man to spare but as Hank insisted, they wouldn’t turn their backs on family. I couldn’t imagine feeling any more loved than I did then.

“We have someone,” Swede said, slowly, glancing over at Kujo. “But…”

“But?” I prodded.

“It’s really a strange situation,” Kujo said. “There’s good news and there’s bad news.”

“Um—okay?” I glanced between them. “What’s the good news?”

“We trust him with our lives,” Swede said.

“And the bad news?” I asked.

“We have no idea where the hell he is.” Kujo sighed. “After he left the service he kind of just fell off the grid.”

“So, how is he supposed to help if no one knows where this guy is?” That was the obvious question. Six must have sensed my agitation for he hopped up onto the sofa and cuddled into my side. He then rested his head on my thigh and I had to smile.

“Well, I’ll have to look for him,” Swede said. “He’s bound to use a computer at some point.”

“Really?” Kujo asked. “Swede we both know—”

“This will work.” Swede interrupted. “It has to. Either that or we’re going to have to pull Viper in.”

“We both know he’s not ready.” Kujo’s voice sounded sad.

“Okay.” Swede rose and stretched his back. “Go home to Molly, Kujo. I’ll see what I can find.”

I sighed. “I’m sorry. I really should have thought about your ladies before I dragged y’all into this mess. Hell, I don’t even know what mess this is.”

Swede shrugged. “They understand, trust me. Go home, Kujo.”

Kujo rose and hugged Swede. When he whistled for Six, the dog merely lifted his head, barked once and settled back down again. I caressed his warm head and smile.

“Well,” Kujo said. “I guess Six wants to stay with you. He knows something is wrong.”

“Really? How?” I asked.

“War dog.” Kujo came over to drop a kiss between Six’s eyes. He hunched down to the dog’s level. “They always know. You watch out for Star, okay?”

Six made a mewling sound and Kujo rose.

“I’ll come back in the morning.” Kujo chuckled. “There’s food in the fridge, clean sheets upstairs, and Molly sent over a few towels and other things a lady would need. You’re curvier than she is so the clothes may be a bit snug but it’s only for tonight.”

“Tell her thanks for me,” I said. I hadn’t met the woman yet, but she seems good for Kujo.

He nodded.

Swede walked him to the door and I sighed and caressed Six’s side. Deep down, I was happy the dog was staying. I didn’t think my nerves would survive without him. I think Six agreed.

I didn’t move much. When I did, Six trotted behind me silently. He waited outside the bathroom door, then stood by my side as I looked over Swede’s shoulder. The screen made no sense to me. It was black with blue and red letters and numbers scrolling all over the place.

Eventually, I curled up on the sofa with Six on my feet.

When I woke up, it was to the smell of coffee, birds chirping and sunlight blinding me. I knew instantly I hadn’t slept in a bed since my back ached terribly. I shifted and came face to face with Six, who instantly licked my nose and barked.

“Not so loud, Six.” I moaned.

“Look who’s awake.” Kujo walked into the room and held out a mug to me. “I asked him to let me know when you were up.”

“He can do that?” I sat up to accept the mug.

“War dog, remember?” Kujo rubbed Six’s head proudly.

“Right.” I carried the mug to Swede’s desk then ducked into the bathroom to rinse my mouth and wash my face. When I returned, Kujo was busy rolling a ball across the floor for Six to chase.

“Where’s Swede?” I asked, lifting my coffee to my lips. When the first drop touched my soul, I moaned.

Kujo laughed. “Headed home to see the wife and get a change of clothes. He found our guy. The two of you have to fly out the moment he returns.”

“Fly out?” I dragged my fingers through my hair but couldn’t get very far. It was a tangled mess. I groaned and sighed.

“He’ll explain all that to you when he gets back.”

Six returned the ball to Kujo who threw it again.

“In the meantime, you should shower and change.” Kujo said. “You look like death.”

“Thanks.” I rolled my eyes. “That’s what every woman wants to hear first thing in the morning.”

Kujo laughed, a loud, masculine sound that had me fighting to hide my amusement. I took one final sip from the mug, set it on the desk and ascended the stairs to dig through the things Molly had sent over.