The night had settled softly over the Montgomery property, wrapping the house in the warm hush of spring. Crickets sang somewhere beyond the trees, and the scent of honeysuckle drifted through the open kitchen window.
Catalina moved quietly around the nursery, her hand brushing over the edge of the crib Kerian had built. The pale-blue mobile above it spun slowly, catching bits of moonlight.
"Everything's perfect," she murmured.
From behind her, Kerian's deep voice came, low and steady. "Almost. You're missing something."
She turned, smiling when she saw him leaning in the doorway, his sleeves rolled up, that familiar spark of mischief in his eyes. "Oh? And what would that be?"
He crossed the room, slipped his arms around her waist, and kissed the top of her head. "You, resting. Doctor's orders, remember?"
She laughed softly, leaning into him. "I just wanted to make sure the baby's room was ready. I can't believe we're only a few weeks away."
"Neither can I." His voice grew quiet. "I used to think I'd never have this — peace, a home, someone to fight for. Now it's all I want to protect."
Catalina tilted her face toward him, her eyes glimmering. "You already do."
They stood there in silence, the soft ticking of the clock filling the room. For the first time in months, it truly felt like forever might actually be theirs.
But outside, parked just beyond the tree line, a camera lens adjusted focus — the faint red light blinking once before disappearing.
Across town — two days later
Erica leaned over a computer screen, fingers flying across the keyboard. Lines of encrypted code scrolled by, glowing green against the darkness of the safe house.
Jonathan stood behind her, arms crossed. "You're sure that's the same signal?"
She nodded. "Same encryption signature, same source pattern. Whoever sent that 'Phase Two' message didn't just vanish. They're mobilizing again."
Jonathan exhaled, his jaw tightening. "Kerian can't know — not yet. He's earned some peace."
Erica stopped typing, meeting his gaze. "He'll find out eventually. They always come back."
He studied her for a long moment, the dim light tracing the outline of her face. "Then we stay ahead of them. Just like your brother taught me."
A hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "And just like Mom taught us both."
She turned back to the screen — and froze.
The message had shifted. New lines of text began appearing, unprompted.
HELLO,ERICA. WE'VE BEEN WAITING.
The color drained from her face.
Jonathan stepped closer, his hand brushing his concealed weapon. "Who the hell—?"
Before he could finish, the power flickered, then died. The room went black except for the faint glow of the laptop — and a single, pulsing red dot appearing in the corner of the window.
A tracker.
Erica's instincts kicked in instantly. "Move!" she hissed.
They bolted toward the exit as the laptop screen went dark and a distant rumble echoed outside — an engine, drawing closer.
Back at the Montgomery home, Catalina stirred in her sleep, her hand instinctively resting over her stomach. Kerian shifted beside her, murmuring her name in his dreams.
The night held its breath.
And somewhere in the dark, the hunt began again.
YOU ARE READING
Curves For The Agent Cowboy
Romance"I'll be right back.. I need to go and find out what's taking Nick so long. I'm thirsty!" With that being said she ignored the scared look on Catalina's face and walked away. Catalina watched her go and when she turned back around she was surprised...
