Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
In the community center, Xavier was with the Daddy Guard members as well as Marshal Dax and one of his deputies, Bo.
Bo was a strong Black man with a perfectly bald head and connecting mustache and goatee. He wore Wranglers and a tee. His cowboy hat was on a peg on the wall, next to where Dax had hung his.
Xavier was starting to feel out of place for not having a Stetson. Perhaps he should buy one, he noted silently.
When in Texas…
The room they were in was large and open with a kitchen in the rear. Beyond the kitchen, in the very back of the building, Xavier had been told was the world-famous ball pit. But he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes yet.
Sitting at one of the long plastic tables that was set up for community meals and events, the guys each nursed a cold bottle of beer as they chatted.
Xavier had told them the story of what they were facing with the stalker, with John, Breaker, and Marco chiming in from time to time with relative details.
“That sounds like quite a story,” Dax said. “She’s safe here. But who do you think might be behind all this?”
“I wish we knew the answer to that,” Xavier responded. “Hopefully we will soon.”
“If that plan of ours works,” John chimed in, “we will. Speaking of, are we sure Leah is on board with this?”
“We can ask her in just a second,” Bo said, putting his phone back atop the table after checking the screen. “She just texted and said she’s on her way over.”
The guys continued to make small talk as they waited, but the whole time, Xavier’s mind wandered to the plan and his prayers of its success.
Five minutes later, a tall, beautiful woman wearing shorts and a floral-print halter top came in. Her thick dark hair was piled high atop her head, with a few strands cascading down in bouncing curls to frame her face. She had a dark complexion that added to her overall stunning beauty.
With her was a handsome man who had a strength that was obviously borne of hard work rather than a gym.
“There they are,” Bo said, standing.
The other men stood too.
“Gentlemen,” Bo said, “meet Leah Coburn and her husband—and Daddy—Flint.”
Leah’s British accent was thick. “Good afternoon. Leah’s the name.
It’s right good to meet you all. Though I must admit, I’d rather be having a laugh with my mates, if you know what I mean.
Because that would mean that poor Nova Monroe wouldn’t be having such an awful go at it.
But I’ll meet up with them later. Right now, I’m here to help. ”
Xavier couldn’t help but smile, instantly liking the woman.
He expected her husband to have the same accent, but he was clearly from Texas, it sounded like. “Good meetin’ y’all. I’m Flint. Welcome to Mountainville.”
The Guard members introduced themselves, shook the couple’s hands, then they all sat.
“Y’all want a beer?” Dax asked, jerking his head toward the kitchen. “Plenty of cold ones in the fridge.”
Flint shook his head. “Nah. But thanks. Honey?”
“No thanks. Might grab a pint later if Eli rolls out his booze wagon.”
Xavier cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. “Booze wagon?”
It was Flint who answered. “Yep. He’s an enterprising guy. Owns a few things around town—including a mobile bar. He can mix cocktails and has a few draft beers. Pours ‘em tall, too.”
“I like the sound of that,” Breaker told the group.
Xavier did, too, but libations would have to wait for later. Right now, they had a plan to hash out.
“Thank you both for meeting with us,” he said. “Leah, we’ll try to make this quick so you can join the Littles for some fun.”
She looked pleased with that.
“You’ve been briefed on what’s going on?”
Leah nodded. “John made some calls, I suppose, and the story got back to me when I was asked if I’d be willing to participate. Such a bloody shame what’s going on. Poor Nova must be terribly frightened.”
“She is.” Xavier paused and collected his words. “I’m going to be honest. And maybe it’s the Daddy in me—but I’m worried about putting you in harm’s way. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate your willingness to act as a decoy to draw out this stalker.”
“Right sweet of you to worry,” Leah said. “But you I can handle myself. You see, I’m former MI6. Don’t let the fact that I’m a Little fool you. I’ve been in some dangerous situations before.”
“MI6,” Marco said. “Like James Bond?”
“Sort of. Though it’s nothing like the movies portray it,” Leah replied.
Breaker perked up. “Former CIA, myself. I bet we could swap some stories.”
“We bloody well could.” Leah’s tone made it seem as if she found the prospect fun.
Xavier wanted to make sure of one more thing before his conscience let him go through with this. “Flint, what do you think about all this?”
It took the other man a few moments to answer. “I’m good with it. I know my sweetie can handle herself. I also know y’all will be there watching. And I will be, too. That’s my one condition. I’m going to be there.”
“We were sort of hoping to be there, too,” Dax said.
Xavier kind of figured the law officers would want in on the plan. “You sure? We don’t expect you all to leave Mountainville and go all the way to Vegas for this thing.”
Dax and Bo exchanged glances before Dax looked back at Xavier across the table and said, “We kind of want a vacation anyway. Plus, we don’t want to leave y’all shorthanded. If you can use the help, we’re in.”
“Both of us are former Texas Rangers,” Bo added. “Don’t worry, we can handle ourselves.”
“I have no doubt about that,” Xavier said. He could tell the guys were capable just by sizing them up. “Welcome aboard and thanks for the help.”
“Glad you’ll be joining us,” Breaker told them. “I figured we’d call in the Guard guys over in Los Angeles for some backup. Just in case we needed a hand in closing this thing out.”
“I’ve met those guys,” Dax said. “All good fellers.”
“Well, then I guess it’s settled,” Xavier said. “We’ll fine-tune the plan, of course.” After looking over his shoulder at the large space, he turned back to the group and asked, “Could we use this place to stage some things? It’s plenty big enough.”
Dax nodded. “Whatever you need.”
“Right now,” John said as he stood, “we should probably check on our Littles. I don’t know what it is, but I have a feeling they might be getting into some trouble.”
“It’s almost a guarantee around this place,” Bo stated.
Xavier polished off the rest of his beer and then stood. “You have a recycle bin around here?”
“Right this way,” Dax said. “We can throw these bottles away as we head out. Let’s just hope the Littles haven’t already gotten into too much mischief.”
Something told Xavier that despite his warnings to Little Nova, she had indeed found some pretty big mischief.