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the wheel of the leader’s personal vehicle, Bishop was doing the driving per Diana’s strongly worded request. That was a change from the security team’s well-established protocol, and they were men who didn’t appreciate even the slightest deviation.
    They all knew the man, trusted his loyalty, and respected his willingness to fight. His reputation was well known throughout post-collapse Texas… and even beyond. But he was a lone wolf, and they were a team. Their methods and tactics were unique and well drilled. If trouble did rear its ugly head on the way to Fort Bliss, Diana’s protection would be handicapped by having him onboard.
    Even more troubling was the fact that Nick was being released from the hospital today. None of the protectors knew what to expect when their boss returned to duty. Throughout their careers, all of them had seen the impact of such serious wounds and how their comrades had been affected. Sometimes the experience could make a man timid, other times the result was dangerous aggression. Now and then, a hollow, empty shell was released from the doctor’s care.
    Nick was exceptionally well liked and respected. No one wanted to see the big man damaged in any way.
    Which led to the primary reason why Diana’s bodyguards were on edge.
    Since Nick’s hospitalization, the Alliance’s leader, their boss’s fiancé, had been spending a tremendous amount of time with Bishop. So much so that rumors were beginning to circulate among the security forces.
    Being professionals, they had all initially taken a position that the relationship was none of their business.
    But as time passed, a state of melancholy began to descend over the innermost ring of Diana’s team. Trouble between their commander and someone like Bishop could easily escalate to violence. Domestic disturbances were still a leading cause of homicide within the territories. No one wanted to see the Alliance’s first and second couples soiled by scandal or split in half. Some of the men had even speculated that an internal feud could lead to civil war.
    At first, Bishop’s constant presence had made sense in a way. Nick was at Bliss, Bishop’s wife in New Mexico. Everyone knew the two couples had fought side-by-side numerous times to create the Alliance. If the stories were only half-exaggerated, Bishop and Nick had saved each other’s lives a dozen times.
    Late night laughter drifting from Diana’s private quarters had begun to erode some opinions. Bishop’s delivery of a few gifts had furthered the slide. After a few weeks of watching the pair, even the most optimistic witnesses began to have doubts.
    To many of the professionals guarding Diana, Bishop’s actions, even if completely innocent, were treacherous behavior. Nick was supposed to be his friend and had stood by the Texan during the worst of times. Wearing a path to Diana’s back door while the boss was incapacitated was dastardly.
    The fact that Nick was being released today could spell trouble, and guarding someone like Diana was difficult enough without internal strife and turmoil. A thick fog of apprehension filled the lead SUV.  
    The eastern sun was barely peeking over the horizon as Alpha faded in Bishop’s rearview mirror. Sitting beside him in the passenger seat, Diana was giddy. “I’ve been looking forward to this day for weeks. I finally get to bring Nick home from the hospital. It’s been wearing me a little thin, driving back and forth, worrying about the big lug, and trying to manage government business all at the same time.”
    Bishop understood. “I hear ya. I know how much I miss Terri and Hunter, and they’re in good health. They’re supposed to be back from New Mexico in a few days. We should all get together and have a celebration.”
    Beaming, Diana gushed, “Now that’s one heck of an idea. But you have to promise me that you’ll keep Nick from coming back to work too soon. The docs wanted to keep him another week, but I guess he’s