Free Target 84 by K Larsen Page A

Napoli to cover during home hours and Pepper Philips. Two locations, two important people to keep safe.”
    “I can put a man on each. This going overnights as well?”
    “If they aren’t at work, you have eyes on them,” I state.
    “Understood. You’ve got to realize we’re a small department. I don’t have more than two men to stick to these women. Especially for all-nighters.”
    “They watch after business hours. They sleep when the women are at work. This isn’t rocket science.”
    “Listen, I’ll do the best I can but my resources aren’t the same as yours,” he argues.
    “I’ll call my director, see if the county can send a sheriff or two to pitch in too.”
    “Appreciate that,” he says. “Anything else?”
    “Nope, that should do it. We’ll let you know when the protection detail lifts.” I set the file containing Pepper and Clara’s contact information as well as mine and Clint’s on his desk and leave.
    I delayed my trip back to headquarters by a day for this. I shouldn’t be here. She’s not to be in my life outside of work and I’m not to be involved in hers. That’s the way Witness Protection works. It’s the way the ATF works. It’s the way my boss has informed me to operate. I’m intruding. I know that, but I needed to witness a happy moment in her life. I need to be sure she’s content and well.
    So, here I am in Blacksburg, Virginia, when I should be in the office working the logistics of the case. I haven’t had contact with Pepper in weeks, not since that first meeting when I had to inform her of what was going down. All other communications, which haven’t been much, my boss Clint has executed.
    Pepper. God. She’s gorgeous and... happy. Extremely happy. Her eyes shine with it. She exudes peacefulness. It’s incredibly gratifying to witness. Not that I’m invited to this event. The thick oak tree hides me well from wandering eyes. Her long, jet-black hair is half pinned up and blows gently in the wind. Pepper moves through the grass towards her soon-to-be husband gracefully.
    Sawyer . He’s standing tall today. As he should, I guess. Somehow he managed to break through every single one of Pepper’s walls and help her heal herself. No easy feat. There’s Allie at the altar, waiting with Sawyer. You can see the absolute love she has for Pepper shining in her eyes. Clara, the one marrying them, is an attractive, sprite woman with long, brown hair and a stunning smile. Good. A quiet, restful life is exactly what Pepper deserves. I snap a quick picture to send to Aster and Brock, knowing they will be overjoyed to see her on her wedding day. To see her smiling a real, authentic smile.
    The sun is bright, making this just about a damn near perfect day. Looks to be about twenty-five or so guests. All eyes are stuck on Pepper. Her dress follows every curve of her body. A flash of blonde disrupts my view for a moment. My eyes dart to the offender. Well, well, well. I really should have kept a better eye on Pepper. She clearly has good taste in friends. I see legs that stretch on for days move up to a slender waist, medium but perky breasts, and a milky, flawless complexion. It’s the face that does it, though. I notice my pulse increase just watching her. My mind wants to wander. Fantasize.
    Bright, golden hair that hangs just past her shoulders frames a symmetrical face. Her hand rests over her brow, blocking the sun, so I can’t make out her eye color, but it wouldn't matter if they matched her red dress. She’s every man’s wet dream. She’s delicious and intoxicating to look at. Sexual attraction is a euphoric and feral affliction. It can drive balanced people to extreme, unbalanced behavior. The blonde bombshell is definitely one of those women.
    I wonder if she’s here with the attractive guy to her right. Dominic, on her left, looks like he sweats money but he has turned out to be a dream to work with. A real stand-up, genuine guy. My eyes go back to the man on