Page 4 of Protecting Vera

“What area?”

“Between Austin and San Antonio. It’s not a huge town, small enough for him to keep track of her.”

Bud leaned in, putting his hands on Hop’s desk. “Where does Frizz live now?”

“She’s closer to Austin.”

“She’s safe, right?” Rider asked.

“Yeah. She’s safe.” At least, he hoped she was. If that bastard hurt Frizz, he would go ballistic.

“Who do we know in that area?” Q asked.

Zip’s lips twisted up. “He’s not living there now, but he’s in the area.”

“Who?” Rider asked.

“Tex. He may be able to arrange something. He knows those Delta guys and a bunch of Army Rangers and other guys. He’s connected.”

“Do you have his number?” Rider asked.

Zip shrugged. “I can ask Wolf to contact him. He lives down the street from me. I’ll call him and ask.”

“Thank you. I’ll send a note to my sister and tell her we might have a solution.”

Bud gave him a chin lift. “Tell Frizz we said hi.”

Hop chuckled. “Sure. I will.”

The guys had met Frizz when she’d come to visit a few months ago. They’d thought she was a hoot. Plus, she told ridiculous stories about him, and they loved that. Now, he just had to find a way to save Frizz’s friend because if he waited too long, Frizz would do something crazy and put herself in danger.

CHAPTER FOUR

Vera wasn’t sure she liked the plan that had been set up. She was meeting a man at the local Walmart. They were going to leave in his vehicle, which was a rental, so they didn’t think Logan could track it. Then, they would drive to another location, and she would switch to another car. But that one, she would have to be in the trunk.

It was weird that they would put her in the trunk and drive. Like who did shit like that? But they were getting her out of Texas, helping her escape the madman hell bent on destroying her.

Though she worried about the plan, she caught the taxi at eleven that morning like they had arranged. She only had a backpack since everything else had been destroyed in the fire. The donated clothes she’d been wearing didn’t fit well, and she thought it best to leave them for someone else to use. Besides, she could pick up new clothes in California.

Once in Walmart, she headed to the gardening section like they’d told her. She saw a man standing near the hoses, which was where she’d been directed to go. The man had dark hair and dark eyes that narrowed as she moved closer. He wasn’t old, but he wasn’t as young as Logan’s friends. She had a feeling she could trust him, like a calm washing over her.

“Vera?”

She nodded. “Yes. I’m Vera.”

“You can call me Tex. We’re going out this way.”

She followed him toward the back of the store. “We’re not going out the front?”

“No, ma’am. If you see someone you recognize, you need to tell me.”

“I will.” She glanced around, searching for Logan or one of his buddies. So far, it seemed like no one was following her.

They slipped out the back of the store, where a car sat waiting for them. “Get in the back and get low. I know you may want to look where we’re going, but you can’t.”

“Yes, sir.”

She slid into the back seat and lay down, tears forming in her eyes. Could this really work? Worry made breathing difficult, but she vowed to stay calm.

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