Rising (Anderson Special Ops #2) - Melody Anne Page 0,24

security was there and on point.

A new commotion started. The guy Paul was wrestling around with gave him the slip, and started running straight toward Joseph, slamming into Kevin’s back, knocking him forward. In that same instant the punk Joseph had a hold of gave a hard arm swing and was getting himself free when the friend got to Joseph. The attacker and his cohort worked hard to get free. Joseph held on with all he had.

And then everything went still.

There were two large men, who moved lightning fast, instantly disabling the creeps who’d been about to overtake Joseph. It went from utter chaos to eerie calm in the snap of two fingers.

Kevin and Paul stepped forward, looking from the two attackers to the new arrivals, not knowing where in the hell the threat was. Joseph wasn’t sure himself. It had all happened too quickly to comprehend all of it.

One of the men turned to Kevin, using his name. “Kevin, you and Paul need to get Mr. and Mrs. Anderson out of here, now! Go down the steps to the garage. A black SUV is in the first space, a driver waiting.”

Kevin opened his mouth to argue and the other man held up his hand.

“I know you want to argue, and I respect that. But we don’t have time. Chad sent us. We’re the good guys. We’ll take care of these men.”

All of the fight left both Kevin and Paul as each man nodded, then turned to Joseph and held out a hand. Joseph took Katherine in his arms and stepped into place between Kevin and Paul. The four of them quickly moved through the parting crowd.

Katherine was shaking in his arms with tears flowing down her cheeks. As they drew closer to their vehicle the adrenaline began draining from him and he replayed what had happened over the past ten minutes or so. It had seemed so much longer, but it had been over nearly as quickly as it had begun. Not only was his own security on the ball, but Chad’s men had been ghosts who were so efficient a bad guy didn’t stand a chance.

Images flashed through Joseph’s mind, and if he was recalling correctly from the one time he’d seen images of Chad’s elite group, the men who’d helped them had been Sleep and Eyes. They’d certainly knocked the men out with one punch each so maybe Sleep was named appropriately.

They reached their vehicle where a behemoth of a man was standing. He nodded at all of them. Kevin and Paul were reaching for their weapons. But the man didn’t move.

“Name’s Smoke. I’m here to drive you guys home. Kevin, you can ride with the Andersons so you feel more at ease. Paul, go grab the vehicle you came in. I’m part of Chad’s team.”

“How in the hell do we know that? How do we know any of you are with the team?” Kevin asked, keeping his body between Joseph and Katherine and the large man.

Smoke smiled as he looked at Joseph and nodded.

Joseph felt the rest of the fight leave him. “He’s part of the team, Kevin, and you’re getting a raise. I’m glad to have you on my side.”

With Joseph’s words, Kevin visibly relaxed, but was still on guard. Joseph had no doubt this man would give his life for Katherine. It was why he took such good care of the people he hired to look out for her. He wanted only the best and the most loyal.

Paul nodded at Joseph then walked to the other vehicle. Smoke and Kevin stood guard while Joseph and Katherine climbed inside. Only when Katherine and Joseph were secure in the back did they get in and start driving away.

“This day started so beautifully,” Katherine said as she buried her head against Joseph’s chest.

“We have people who care a hell of a lot about us,” Joseph said. “We have much to be grateful for. I’m sorry you just went through that, my love. The light at the end of the tunnel is that the man is now in custody. He will pay for what he’s done.”

Katherine didn’t say more as she nodded against his chest. He held her close. Two more criminals were off the street. Now, they needed to make sure they stayed off.

Chapter Five

Erin wiped the counter as she spoke to Mr. Thomas, a regular in the diner. It had been a few days since all hell had broken loose in this place that had been