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soon, but maybe we could do it in a bathroom stall or closet. Keep it nasty. It may get back to your brothers, though. So this clandestine meeting would be not so clandestine.”
    “You won’t let me help you, will you?”
    The announcement caught her attention and her smile was sorrowful. But it was swiftly replaced with the look he knew well. Temptress. She patted his cheek. “Catch ya later, sexy.” And she walked away. This time the exaggerated swing was present in her walk.
    “You’re crazy if you think I’m going to let it go, Alexsa.”
    * * * *
    Lexy rubbed her temple and walked out of Norfolk International Airport. Her brisk stride took her to long-term parking where she found her black Mitsubishi Spyder where she’d left it.
    Always a bonus.
    Unlocking her car, she gazed around. Something felt off. She felt as though someone were watching her. The feeling had been there since she’d boarded the plane and she didn’t much like it.
    Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Wouldn’t be the first time. After all, sleep had eluded her during the five-hour flight. Buckling in, she locked the doors then started the engine.
    She was rattled. She admitted it. When Hector had called her to inform her of the accident involving Eugene, her other brother, she’d not wanted to believe him. His brakes had failed and he’d crashed his truck. After flying through the windshield and landing, he now lay in a coma.
    She furiously wiped at the tears that leaked free and left the airport, stopping only to pay her ticket. Once she reached the interstate, she opened up the engine and drove fast amongst the pre-rush hour traffic.
    Her phone rang and she took the call, even though she didn’t recognize the number. It was four in the morning. Hell, for all I know it could be my answering service. Although I’m pretty sure I know that number.
    “Hello?” She turned down her music.
    “The first was merely a warning, Dr Camden.”
    Dr Camden? First what? She didn’t usually go by that title, although some colleagues refused to call her anything but. She frowned. The voice was digitized and terror skittered through her at the sound.
    “Who is this?” she demanded.
    “You ignore my summons again and your brothers will breathe their last.”
    Panic exploded out through her and with shaking hands, she pulled off the road, turned on her hazards and struggled for breath. Her brothers were her only family—aside from Jaydee—and she would do anything… anything to keep them safe.
    This…person… It had to be a person—right? They wouldn’t change that.
    “Who are you?”
    “Shut up, bitch, and listen.”
    Nausea swarmed in her throat. “All right, I’m listening. What do you want?” She rubbed the grit from her eyes—she’d been up far too long without sleep.
    “We will be in contact. Do not tell the cops of this or your brothers will die.”
    Click . The line went dead.
    Lexy bolted from the car and lost the contents—which were few—of her stomach. Wiping at her mouth with the back of her hand, she groaned when red and blue flashing lights rolled up behind her vehicle
    She squinted at the flashlight shining in her eyes. “Ma’am? Are you okay, ma’am?”
    Was she? Nope. Not even close . “Fine,” she croaked.
    “Walk toward me and keep your hands where I can see them.” The order came with the undercurrent of a Southern accent.
    Swallowing back her need for a repeat performance, she followed the sternly issued directive. The state patrol officer dwarfed her. She halted when he asked her to, making no sudden movements.
    “What are you doing, ma’am?”
    “I stopped because I was sick.”
    She couldn’t make out his features, courtesy of the wide-brimmed hat he wore.
    “You been drinking, ma’am?”
    “No, sir.” Sure could use one though.
    He approached her. “License and registration.”
    She quirked her lips. “Hon, I pulled over and bolted to puke my guts out. I don’t have it on me. But feel free to