Chapter 1

Seattle, Washington

Five years later…

“Okay, so the flowers have been ordered, the caterer and DJ have been booked, and the final fitting at the bridal boutique is scheduled for a week from tomorrow.” Ellie looked up from the small planner in her hands to the woman sitting across from her. “Is there anything I’ve missed?”

Please don’t let me have forgotten anything.

This was her first time as Maid of Honor, and the last thing she wanted to do was screw up her closest friend’s special day.

Cassie Montgomery smiled wide. Blonde and beautiful, the bride-to-be positively beamed with prenuptial elation. “Nope. I think that’s everything.” A soft sigh escaped her lungs. “I still can’t believe the wedding is less than a month away.”

“I still can’t believe Archer Nash is actually getting married.”

Both Ellie and Cassie turned to the third member of their luncheon party. Petite, brunette, and sweet as pie, Natalie Hayes was new to Ellie’s world. But after the woman’s husband’s private security team recently saved Cassie’s life from a murdering maniac, the likeable CPA had instantly became a friend of Ellie’s, too.

“You don’t have to sound that surprised, Nat.” Cassie shot their mutual friend a playful smirk. “I mean, I know things between me and Arch happened super-fast, but—”

“Oh, you know I didn’t mean it like that.” Natalie interrupted with a chuckle. “Archer is one of the sweetest men I’ve ever known. Plus, the guy is clearly head over heels for you.”

“Then why the shock?” Ellie had to ask.

The woman’s pretty brown eyes met hers once more. “It’s more joy than shock, really. I don’t know how to explain it. I’ve known Arch and those guys for so long…I keep thinking this must be what it feels like to watch a big brother finally get their very own happily ever after. If that makes any sort of sense.”

She nodded with a grin. “That makes perfect sense.”

It really does.

“Of course, it makes sense, Nat,” Cassie agreed. “After years of being on the same SEAL team, those guys are essentially brothers. But you know that better than me.”

Ellie couldn’t help but agree. Having been Cassie’s lawyer during her murder trial scandal, she too had witnessed the close bond between the men of Eagle’s Nest Securities.

Five badass operatives who now used their skills and training to protect the citizens of Seattle. Five tall, sexy, lethal men who risked themselves on the daily to keep others safe.

A set of blue, smoldering eyes filled her subconscious vision. Eyes she’d immediately noticed the first night Cassie had introduced Ellie to Archer and the team. Only the eyes didn’t belong to Archer.

They belonged to him.

Lucky.

Given the ridiculous nickname by his brothers in arms, Jason “Lucky” Lucas was the team’s technical analyst. He was also quickly becoming the bane of her existence.

And the star of your dreams.

Ellie reached for her glass and drew in a generous sip of her mimosa. The hope being that the tingly liquid would disrupt enough of her senses, she’d be able to a sort of reset on her current train of thought.

Because she didn’t want to think of Lucky. Not now. Not ever.

So what if the former SEAL was the most attractive man she’d ever met? There were plenty of single, single men to choose from in the city.

Granted, none she’d ever met came anywhere close to Lucky’s level of attractiveness. They also weren’t as tall, dark, or even remotely sexy as he was.

And sure, those other guys probably wouldn’t have those same incredible, blue, inviting eyes as his, either. Eyes so blue, so entrancing, Ellie had to physically refrain from becoming lost in them whenever he was around.

Not that it mattered.

Lucky was a “ladies’ man” with a silver tongue and a devilish smile, and she wasn’t looking to settle down anytime soon, anyway. Natalie and her husband, Logan, and now Cassie and Archer…those guys had the settling down part covered plenty.

Ellie thought about the happily engaged couple and grinned.

She couldn’t help but feel somewhat responsible for Cassie and Archer getting together. Not that the romantic set-up had been intentional. But she was the one who’d recommended Cassie go to Eagle’s Nest Securities back when she’d been in danger, so…yeah. She should at least get some of the credit, right?

Back when Cassie found herself not only being set up for the murder of her estranged husband but also the target of an unknown killer, Ellie had recommended her friend go to Eagle’s Nest for help.

As Cassie’s lawyer, she’d recognized the trouble her friend had been in when she’d found herself framed for a murder she hadn’t committed. Not only that, but Cassie had also clearly been the killer’s intended target.

Ellie had done everything she could on her end, of course. She’d gone nights without sleep, working tirelessly to check every single legal angle of the case she could. But knowing the cops believed they’d already caught their man, so-to-speak, she’d quickly recognized they needed more help than she alone could give.

Enter the men of Eagle’s Nest.

Fast-forward to today and it was easy to see how Cassie had grown so fond of the group of former SEALs. Those guys were the quintessential true American heroes, having spent years laying their lives on the line for their country.

Now, those same men served in a different way, using their experience and training to protect the citizens of Seattle who sought them out in their time of need. And as she sat across from her friend and colleague, knowing the woman owed her life to Archer and the others, Ellie knew she, too, would be forever in their debt.

“Speaking of Archer.” She returned her attention to Cassie. “How’s he doing with the whole madness of the wedding planning?”

“He’s been great, believe it or not. Excited even.” Cassie’s blue eyes shimmered beneath the café lights. “Who would have thought that a former special ops badass would enjoy looking at China patterns and throw pillows?”

Ellie released a soft snort. “Your fiancé couldn’t care less about pillows or dishes, Cass. He just does those things because he enjoys spending time with you.”

“What she said.” Natalie tipped her glass toward Ellie before taking a sip of her iced water.

Cassie became slightly flushed by the honest assessment, her smile becoming almost bashful when she admitted softly, “He does, doesn’t he?”

A rush of familiar envy filled Ellie’s veins. But, like always, she forced herself to pretend the jealousy she felt for the love the happy had found was non-existent.

After all, it wasn’t as if she was in the market for Prince Charming or fairytale endings. Those things were fine for women like Cassie and Nat. Not Ellie, though. And she was perfectly fine with that.

Liar, liar.

“Hey, El.” Cassie caught her attention once more. “I’ve been meaning to ask…how are your catching skills these days?”

Ellie blinked and then frowned. “I’m sorry?”

“You know…your catching skills.” The other woman lifted her hands in the air and pretended to be waiting for something to fall into her hands.

Understanding struck, sending Ellie into an instant and vehement denial. “Oh, no.” She shook her head with vigor. “Nope. There will be no catching of the bouquet.” She raised both palms for effect. “Not for this gal.”

Her friend didn’t appear to be convinced.

“Whatever,” Cassie scoffed. “You know I’m aiming straight for you, right?”

Without missing a beat, Ellie quipped back a pointed, “Then you should know I will let it fall flat at my feet if you do.”

“Why?” The bride-to-be teased. “Do you have a weird phobia of flowers or something?”

“I’m pretty sure the flowers aren’t what she’s afraid of.” Natalie shot Ellie a knowing smirk.

She blinked. “She is right here, and we’re supposed to be focused on Cass and Archer’s wedding, not me. And for the record, I’m not afraid of flowers or anything else.”

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat because that last part was a blatant lie. There was something she was afraid of. Or rather, someone. But friends or not, that wasn’t something Ellie planned to divulge to these two women…or anyone else.

Instead, she brought her glass to her lips. Tiny bubbles exploded as the sweet and tart mixture of orange juice and champagne flowed across her tongue. Drinking in a slow, intentional sip of her Mimosa, she prayed her well-intended friend would change the subject.

She didn’t.

“Deny it all you want.” Cassie dismissed Ellie’s claims. “It won’t change the fact that your time is coming.”

If that doesn’t sound ominous…

“My time?”

The cheap crystal rim of the glass hit her lips once more as she took another drink.

At the same time, Natalie leaned in a bit closer, her sweet voice lowering as if she were revealing some massive, life-altering secret as she half-whispered, “I think she’s referring to you meeting Mr. Right.”

The comment—along with another flash of those same gorgeous eyes she’d imagined a moment earlier—was so unexpected, Ellie nearly spit her Mimosa all over the table in front of her. Moving quickly, she used her free hand to reach for her napkin and began dabbing the soft white cloth to the corners of her mouth.

“Uh…I’m good, thanks.” She glanced down to make sure she hadn’t dripped the sweet concoction onto the front of her white blouse.

“Oh, that’s right.” Thick sarcasm laced Cassie’s tone. “I forgot the great Eloise Fisher is immune to all things love and happiness.” Her traitorous friend looked at Natalie. “Our girl, here, is what we like to call a habitual dater.”

“We?” Ellie shot the other woman a look. “Who’s this ‘we’ you’re referring to? And I date, sure. But that doesn’t make me a habitual dater.”

There was a difference. Right?

She set her glass down and settled back into her chair. In truth, it wasn”t the worst thing she’d been called. Not by a long shot. Of course, it also wasn’t exactly the most flattering, either.

“Seriously, El.” Natalie glanced back over at her. “Is it the commitment part that scares you, or just relationships in general?”

The woman’s question wasn’t flippant or sarcastic in the least. In fact, the sweet accountant seemed genuinely intrigued by Ellie’s apparent lack of interest where serious relationships were concerned.

Still, Ellie couldn’t seem to keep her voice from involuntarily rising a smidge as she blurted back, “Who said anything about being scared?” She’s spot on, you know? She cleared her throat and regained her composure. Once she felt confident in her ability to control her tone, she added, “I know what the two of you are doing, and it isn’t going to work.”

Saved by a perfectly timed interruption, the young man who’d waited on them chose that moment to return with the check. Already prepared for the transaction, Ellie snatched up the check and handed it and her credit card to their server.

“I’ll be right back with your card and receipt.” He walked away with a smile.

“You sure about that?” Cassie teased, wasting no time continuing their previous conversation. “I mean, are you really sure it’s not going to work?”

“Very.” She didn’t hesitate. “Listen, I get that the two of you have found The One and all, but that whole long-term, ‘till death do us part scenario just really isn’t my thing.”

It could be, if you’d…you know…take a chance and finally let someone in.

“You mean true love isn’t your thing.” Natalie sounded more than a little disappointed. “Come on, El. That can’t be true. Love is everyone’s thing.”

Not mine, apparently.

Casual.

No-strings.

No commitment.

Thosewere Ellie’s things because they were easy. Neat. And they left little chance of getting hurt.

Ever-lasting love and making a life with someone…that shit was hard. Messy, even. And it came with complications she didn’t have the time, patience, or desire to deal with.

“Just because I’m not looking for anything long-term, that doesn’t mean I’m scared.” Except that I am. “And I’m sorry to burst those hopeless romantic bubbles you two live in, but not every woman wants the whole marriage, kids, and picket-fence dream.”

“Hey, now.” Cassie frowned. “We aren’t hopeless romantics. Isn’t that right, Natalie?”

“That’s right.” The other brunette at the table nodded, adding an emphasized, “We’re hopeful romantics, which means we’re full of hope that, someday, you’ll find the same sort of happiness Cass and I have. That’s all.”

The same pang of jealousy stabbed deep, but she schooled her expression and kept her smile in place. “I’m perfectly happy with the way my life is, thank you very much.”

And why wouldn’t she be happy? She ran a successful business, was one of Seattle’s most sought-after defense attorneys, had an upscale apartment, her car was paid for, and she had enough money in the bank to support her for several years…at least.

Of course, when you were single with no one to take care of but yourself and a tank of saltwater fish, it didn’t take long for a nest egg to grow.

Not much point in growing a nest when there’s no one to share it with.

Resting a gentle hand on Ellie’s shoulder, Natalie’s brown gaze softened as she said, “I think the question you need to ask yourself is whether you”re truly happy or simply…content. And trust me when I say there’s a difference.”

The server returned, and Ellie was more than happy to scribble her signature on the receipt and send him on his way. Sliding her credit card back into her wallet, she dropped the folded leather into her purse, pulled out her car keys, and looked back at her friends.

“I appreciate the concern you both seem to share in regard to my love life, but I can assure you, I’m doing just fine in that department.” Lies. All lies. “And, as much as I’d love to continue this conversation, I have to get on the road so I’m not late for court. I got a call on the way here, and the jury in that case I’ve been trying down in Tacoma is expected to come back within a few hours.” She rose to her feet, grabbing her purse and jacket from where they hung on the back of her chair. “Which means I need to head that way now, so I’m ready when they call us in.”

“Oh, that’s right!” Cassie followed suit and stood. “I almost forgot you were still on that one. How’s it feel to be fighting for the other side again?”

“The other side?” Natalie inquired as she slid her arms into her olive green coat.

“El has returned to her prosecution roots,” Cassie announced as she gathered her things.

“You can do that?” Nat’s confusion was clear.

“Depending on the state,” Ellie explained. “Most allow lawyers to act as both prosecutor and defense council as long as it’s not within the same county. Normally I would’ve said no, but this case was one of the last ones I worked on before leaving the D.A.’s office there to open my own practice here in Seattle. Abusive jerk who was running a meth business out of the same house his wife and son still lived in.” She shook her head in disgust. “The first trial ended in a mistrial due to a technicality. The cops finally got what they needed to ensure a conviction, and since I knew the case forward and backward, my old boss all but begged me to come back for the retrial.”

“And since Tacoma is in Pierce County”—Cassie piggybacked off her explanation—“it’s perfectly legal for El to serve as prosecutor.”

“I see.” Natalie nodded. “Well, I hope the jury puts the guy away.”

“You and me, both.” Ellie smiled.

Cassie pulled Ellie in for a friendly embrace. “And thanks again. You’re the best Maid of Honor a girl could ask for.”

“I know,” Ellie teased. “Tell Arch I said hi. And if you think of any last-minute things that need to be done, let me know.”

“Drive safe.” Natalie also gave her a quick hug. “Let us know about the verdict.”

“I will.”

The three women walked out of the café together, the morning sun shining bright as they went their separate ways.

Two hours later…

“Nice work, counselor.”

Dressed in a white puff-sleeved button-down blouse and a houndstooth pencil skirt that fell mid-calf, Ellie kept a tight hold on her briefcase as she turned toward the familiar voice. She smiled, immediately shifting directions down the wide, tiled corridor.

“Mr. District Attorney,” she greeted the man who had convinced her to return to Tacoma.

Back to the same courthouse where she’d made a name for herself throughout the legal community. Back to being a prosecutor. Back to what she’d come to refer to as ‘the dark side’.

Just this once. Just for this one case.

Her heels clicked as they traversed the shiny floor, their echoes dying off when Ellie began to slow her steps.

“Mr. District Attorney?” Donald Hennessy snorted. The fifty-three-year-old balding man’s brows turned inward even as he grinned. “Since when are you so formal where I’m concerned.”

“Uh…since we’re standing in the middle of the county courthouse surrounded by other ears.” Ellie shifted her leather briefcase from her right hand to her left and gave her former boss and mentor a firm shake. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it in time.”

The powerful man was dressed in a black suit she guessed had been personally tailored, a slick blue tie, and a perfectly pressed white dress shirt. As always, his black shoes had been shined to military standards, and the long wool coat he seemed to love hung loosely over one arm.

“I almost didn’t, thanks to a last-minute phone call from the Mayor,” he shared. “I texted him as soon as the verdict was read. Told him what a stellar job you did while I was at it.”

Ellie’s chest tightened as a slight rush of heat began creeping up the back of her neck and into her cheeks. “That wasn’t necessary, Donald. But I appreciate it all the same.”

“It may not have been necessary, but that doesn’t make it any less true.”

Her former boss and mentor nudged her playfully as the two began walking down the hallway toward the building’s main entrance. Several others passed by along the way, each lost in their own conversations and thoughts as they rushed to their own destinations.

Lawyers. Defendants. Witnesses. Uniformed officers and other courthouse employees. The building was a steady bustle of constant movement and murmured conversations.

Donald spoke up again. “I knew bringing you in on this one was the right call. You nailed it, just as I suspected you would.”

“The evidence stacked against Leonard Knowles was so overwhelming, a first-year could’ve handled this case. Especially given the wife’s cooperation in the matter.”

Not to mention, Ellie had already tried this one once before.

Unfortunately, thanks to a technicality recently uncovered by the defense, Knowles had been granted a new trial. A trial the man walking beside her had all but begged her to take on.

“I disagree,” Donald stated bluntly. “Sure, the evidence was solid, and Mrs. Knowles’ testimony and audio recordings were damning to the defense’s case, but you were second chair during the original trial. You knew the case inside and out, and since Robert has moved on to greener pastures, you were the obvious choice.”

Robert being Robert Graves, King County’s former Assistant Deputy Prosecutor.

“No, the obvious choice would have been to keep this one in-house and let Robert’s predecessor handle it.” Ellie repositioned the hold she had on her briefcase.

“Paula is good, but she’s not you. Plus, no one can pull off a closing argument quite like you can. Present company included. And after watching you in there again, I have to tell you…I really wish you hadn’t left.”

But she had left Pierce County. Nearly five years to the day, to be exact. And her leaving her position as Pierce County’s up-and-coming prosecutor had nothing to do with Leonard Knowles or the trial she’d just won.

It did, however, have a whole hell of a lot to do with this place.

A different man’s face filled her mind’s eye. It lasted only a moment, but that was all it took for a sliver of residual fear to race the length of her spine.

“You know why I had to leave,” she reminded her old boss.

Donald pushed open the heavy door leading to the outside, shifting to the side to give her room to pass. “I do,” he agreed. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t still want you back on my payroll.”

At the time she’d left the prosecutor’s office in Tacoma, she’d been the youngest Assistant Deputy Prosecutor to ever practice in the state of Washington. In fact, she’d done such a good job during her time working for Donald, she’d been on the fast track to take over his position as the D.A. once the man following her out the door retired.

Instead, Ellie had tried—and won—the most intense case of her career. And then she’d left.

“Admit it.” Donald continued arguing his case as the two made their way down the sidewalk toward the spot where she’d parked. “You enjoyed being back on this side of the fence.”

Refusing to let old ghosts of the past threaten her otherwise great mood, Ellie forced the haunting image away and focused on the present.

“It wasn’t awful,” she commented truthfully.

If she were being completely honest, it had been sort of…fun. Not that she’d ever tell Donald that.

“Oh, please.” Her former boss rolled his eyes with a gravelly chuckle. “You may not have noticed, but I slid in a time or two during the trial. I could see the glimmer in your eyes, even from all the way in the back of the courtroom. And I’ve gotta tell you, it was just as strong today as it was five years ago.”

“Compliment me all you want, Donald. It won’t change my mind.”

“What if I told you an opening just came up in my office?”

“I’d tell you to fill with someone who isn’t me.”

“It’s full-time, Ellie. No more of this special occasion bullshit. You’d be the top dog, answering only to me.”

“You and the Mayor, you mean.”

That was another reason she’d switched from being a prosecutor to opening her own defense firm. She and Tacoma’s mayor had never really seen eye-to-eye. Mainly because the man lived for politics, and Ellie, well…she’d never been one to mince words or kiss ass. And if a person wanted to survive in the world of politics, they had to do a hell of a lot of both.

“All I’m asking is that you at least think about it,” the man insisted.

“This is me.” She stopped near her white BMW. “I don’t need to think about it, Donald. I left for a reason, remember?”

“I do.” Empathy filled her former boss’s brown eyes. “And I completely understand and respect your need to put some space between yourself and this place after what happened that day. But that was five years ago, El. And you just proved you can still go into that courtroom and kick some major ass.”

“I only agreed to come back and retry the case against Knowles as a one-time favor to you. Not because I’m considering coming back.” Her shoulders relaxed a bit as she tried to make him understand. “Having my own practice now, Donald. I get to choose which clients I take on. No more going after almost serial killers or murdering bastards with ties to organized crime.”

No more losing sleep at night out of fear that someone I put away will come for their revenge.

Ellie considered herself to be as tough as the next gal. But that didn’t mean she had a death wish.

“Things are different now, El. Security is much tighter than it used to be, and the police department here has started taking threats to lawyers or witnesses much more seriously.”

Yes, she’d noticed the added measures taken to ensure safety for those inside the courthouse. But added metal detectors, more thorough bag searches, and more diligent policing still weren’t enough to stop a determined killer out for revenge.

“I don’t take on a client unless I know in my gut they’re innocent,” she explained. “My clients are good people in need of a solid defense.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Donald smiled. “But, you can also put that same passion for justice toward—”

“The people I defend need me, Donald.”

“The people of Pierce County need you, Eloise.” His expression softened as he added an almost pleading, “I need you.”

Ellie’s heart warmed with affection toward the older man, but her mind was made up the day she’d handed him her resignation. Seeing no end in sight to the back-and-forth circle they’d begun to spin, she leaned in and gave her dear friend a chaste kiss on the cheek.

“It was good seeing you again, Donald.

Disappointment blanketed him even as the well-dressed man pulled her in for a friendly hug. “Fine. We’ll table this discussion for now. But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up.”

“I’d expect nothing less.” Ellie hugged him back with a soft laugh. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

“Thanks, kiddo. You, too, yeah?”

“Always. And give my best to Vickie.”

“I will.”

With that, her former mentor and friend continued walking to wherever he’d parked while she stepped off the curve and headed for the driver’s door. She’d just pulled it open when someone hollered her name from behind.

“Miss Fisher!”

Ellie looked back over her shoulder to find a uniformed officer and a blonde woman she recognized instantly sped-walked down the sidewalk in Ellie’s direction. Sounding slightly out of breath, the two came to a stop beside her.

“I was really hoping to catch you before you left.” Michelle Knowles smiled up at her.

“Mrs. Knowles,” Ellie greeted the prosecution’s star witness. With a quick glance in the officer’s direction, she asked, “Is something wrong?”

Because she should have been on her way to a safe house.

“Oh, no. It’s nothing like that.” The thirty-eight-year-old shook her head. “Actually, for the first time in a very long time, I have hope that things might be okay.” Her big brown eyes glistened in the morning sunlight. “And I have you to thank for that.”

Her chest grew warm from the sentiment. “As much as I appreciate that, Mrs. Knowles—”

“Michelle,” the other woman blurted. With a quick lick of her lips, she crossed her arms at her chest. “Please. Call me Michelle. I don’t…I don’t ever want to be called Mrs. Knowles again.”

The woman’s request was perfectly understandable given that Mr. Knowles was an abusive asshole meth dealer who cared more about his rock and cash than his own wife. Still…

“As much as I appreciate the kind words, Michelle, I simply relayed the facts and evidence to the jury. Your bravery is the reason he’s going to prison.”

“I didn’t feel brave at all.” A soft admission. “The truth is, I was a nervous wreck the entire time I was up on that stand. I could feel his cold eyes on me. And the one time I did look at him…” Michelle shook her head again. “It was like he was imagining himself killing me. Just like he threatened to do so many times.”

A small breeze blew past, freeing a few strands from the low bun that had been perfectly knotted at the base of Ellie’s neck. “I can spin a good story, sure.” She reached up and tucked the wayward locks behind her ear. “But without solid evidence and trustworthy testimony to help fill in the blanks, that’s all I’d be doing. Telling a story. What you shared on the stand…the audio evidence and photos you provided are what cinched it.”

The typically meek and submissive woman appeared to grow a smidge as Michelle straightened her spine with a nod. “I just can’t believe it’s really over, you know?”

“Believe it.” Ellie let her smile grow even wider. “You heard the verdict. The jury found him guilty on all charges. Your husband is going away for a very, very long time. He can’t hurt you or your son ever again.”

In an unexpected move, the other woman pulled Ellie in for a tight hug. “Thank you so much. You’re seriously my hero.”

“Oh!” She belatedly hugged Michelle back with her free arm. “Well…like I said, I was just doing my job. You’re the impressive one.” She pulled back. “Getting up on that stand and facing that jerk…” Ellie softened her expression, hoping the other woman could see the sincerity behind her next words. “I know rehashing everything that bastard put you through wasn’t easy, but you did it.” Her chest filled with emotion. “You beat him at his own game.”

“I did, didn’t I?” Pride beamed behind a set of Michelle’s pretty hazel eyes.

“Hell yes, you did.

The too-thin brunette breathed a sigh of relief, but then, “What about the threats? I mean, I know the kinds of people Lenny hung out with. They’re bad, Ellie. Like really bad.”

“Which is why the DEA has agreed to put you and your son into protective custody until they can gather enough hard evidence to put them behind bars, too.” Right on cue, a black, unmarked sedan pulled up next to where they stood. “See that?” Ellie motioned toward the car parked next to hers. “Those two agents are here for you. They’ll drive you to your place, wait while you pack, and then they will take you to the safe house. You’ll spend the night there, and then in the morning, you and your son will be on your way to your. New life.

New life. New names. A future are in place,

“And Mattie?” Michelle asked about her six-year-old son.

“He’s there, waiting for you, Ma’am,” the officer spoke up.

“That’s right. Mattie is safe.” She gently squeezed the woman’s shoulder. “You both are.”

A deep clearing of the officer’s throat cut the moment short. “Sorry, but uh…we really do need to get on the road.”

In the span of her next breath, Ellie found herself being pulled in for another hug. “Thanks again.” Michelle’s whisper was heartfelt. “I’ll never forget what you did for us.”

She watched as the officer escorted the tiny brunette to the government-issued vehicle. As the black SUV drove off, Ellie slid behind the wheel of her own car and shut the door.