Broken Protocols 1-3 Read online

  He was just outside the door. As she reached it, a clear shield of some kind came down between her and John.

  A look of sheer frustration washed over his face.

  “What the…” she reached out a hand but realized the shield had a charge of some kind. She’d get a shock. “John, what do I do?”

  “Shut it off from the inside.” But the peculiar look on his face made her realize this was something she should know how to do.

  “He changed it recently,” she lied. “I don’t know how. He never got a chance to show me the new system.”

  Anger swept over his face. He turned to look behind him. “You need to hurry, before someone comes.”

  She studied the wall beside her. She assumed there was another virtual comp hidden in here with the controls she needed. But even if she could open it up, there was no guarantee she could shut this down.

  She needed Charmin.

  And didn’t dare bring him out here where John could see him.

  “I can’t figure this out.”

  “What the hell? How could he possibly want you when you haven’t got even basic computer knowledge?” His disgusted tone bothered her, but it was the building rage on his face that bothered her more.

  She settled back. “You have no reason to speak to me like that. Our relationship is none of your damn business.”

  He glared at her.

  And she realized this shield was all that was stopping him from reaching through and grabbing her.

  He wasn’t here to help her at all.

  He was here to kidnap her too.

  *

  Levi opened his mouth to answer yet another question from the speaker of the Council. His own lawyer, John, was now under suspicion. John had excused himself, saying he’d be contacting his own lawyer. At that point, Levi had thought that he and Milo were in the clear. That they could go home. He’d been wrong.

  His comp went off. He pulled it out, disregarding the frown on the Councilman’s face. “Sorry, gentlemen. That’s my house security system.” He clicked through his signals. Alarm sent shockwaves through his system. “My place has been broken into. I need to go. My wife is alone.” He turned to Milo. “Move. Dani is in trouble.”

  Milo was already heading to the door. Levi ran over to him. “Excuse us, gentlemen…”

  With Milo ahead, they raced to the portals. Levi barely made it into the same one as Milo. “Are they okay? Can you contact anyone? Dani? Charmin?”

  “I’m trying. But it’s not as if either one is trained to override the lockdown system.”

  Shit. Levi winced. He hadn’t done enough to help Dani. She was in a terrible position. And he’d made things even worse. Again.

  His heart pounded in his chest. He could only hope they’d make it home in time.

  The port opened and the elevator closed. They were back home in seconds.

  They raced around the corner, his breath caught in the back of his throat. He stumbled to a stop.

  The front door was open.

  And the blue shield was on.

  Shit.

  He came to a sliding stop, hitting the brakes just in time. “Damn it.”

  From behind him, Milo said, “I’m working on it.”

  “Work faster…” He tried to peer through the waves of blue electricity and thought he saw something. “Charmin? Is that you?”

  He looked around to make sure no one else could hear him. “Milo, is that Charmin sitting on the other side of the field?”

  “Give me…one…more…second.” A loud click sounded. “Got it.”

  The blue screen disappeared.

  Levi rushed forward, surprised when he heard a new voice behind him.

  “And I’ve got you two. Better yet, I’ve got her.”

  Levi came to a confused halt, looking behind him to find John holding a laser gun to Milo’s back. Milo, his comp still in his hand, had his arms up high over his head.

  “Now Levi, get the girl. I don’t have much time.”

  “What is this all about, John?”

  “Did you hear me say I don’t have much time? I’m supposed to deliver her within the next fifteen minutes or the delivery will be late. Late does not cut it with these guys.”

  “Who?”

  John’s face darkened. “No more talking. Get her, or I’ll kill your brother. These guys mean business. Lina failed, and look what happened to her.”

  Levi turned his shocked gaze toward Milo, who stood helpless in front of him. “Get her.”

  How could he? How could he hand Dani over? Yet he couldn’t put his brother in danger.

  “Tough choice, huh? Brother over lover? Too bad. It’s not a choice. Hand her over or you die, too.”

  “He doesn’t have to hand me over.” Dani’s cool voice drifted toward them. “However, I’d like to know who you are planning on delivering me to and why.”

  John relaxed now that Dani was there with them. “I don’t know. And it doesn’t matter. They get whatever the hell they want.”

  Dani stepped past Levi. He reached out and grabbed her. “Wait.”

  “No. There is no waiting, Levi. There is no choice.”

  She tugged her arm free and walked to the door.

  John grabbed her and shoved her ahead of him while keeping the gun still trained on Milo.

  “Don’t bother trying to follow me,” he snapped. “You don’t want to be where I’m going.” Bitterness swept over his face. “Hell, I don’t want to go there myself. But that bitch put me in the clinch now. So it’s you or me…”

  Levi stared, his mind racing to find something…anything that would save the situation.

  John stepped up to the doorway, shoving Dani outside. With one last warning glance at the brothers, he backed up several steps into the doorway.

  Charmin, quiet unassuming Charmin, sprang into action, jumping high up on the wall and slamming a paw into the 3D monitor. Instantly, the electric screen flashed.

  As John passed through the middle of the doorway…as the electronic shield surrounded him.

  He was fried instantly.

  The system flashed and sparked…and shorted out.

  Milo raced past him, crying out in horror.

  Levi could only stare.

  “Jesus,” he whispered. “Charmin, did you mean to do that?”

  “Of course.” He walked closer to what remained of John’s body. He proceeded cautiously, then caught a solid whiff and reared backwards. “Oh gross.”

  Levi skirted the remains on the floor and quickly disengaged the shield. Dani stared at him in horror from the other side.

  “It’s okay,” he reassured her. “It’s off.”

  She didn’t look hysterical, but Levi wished she would be – then he wouldn’t feel so bad about his reaction. He was shaking uncontrollably. With a cry, she ran inside without looking at the floor and threw herself into his arms. “I was so scared. So scared,” she whispered against his neck, squeezing him hard.

  “So was I,” he murmured, holding her tight against his chest. “Oh God, Dani, so was I.”

  He backed up, keeping her with him, “Let’s get you into the back of the apartment and away from that.”

  “Gladly,” she muttered.

  He led her to a big comfy chair that shaped itself around her. “I have to deal with this first. Then you can tell us all about what happened.”

  “And we need to get something for Charmin, too.” Charmin jumped up on her lap just then, and she wrapped her arms around his furry body and cuddled him. “He’s my hero today.”

  “He’s everyone’s hero. As soon as the police and those…remains are gone, we’ll get him anything he wants.”

  “Food?” Charmin poked his head up over Dani’s shoulder. “Food would be good.”

  “You got it, little guy. I might even be able to get that for you.” Levi walked to the wall and opened up a cupboard full of cat food. “What do you want? Salmon, tuna, chicken…”

  “Anything,” Charmin sa
id, “Anything but…BBQ!”

  The End

  Broken Protocols 3

  by

  Dale Mayer

  Dani and Levi Blackburn have slid from being in trouble to borderline hell…

  They uncover hints of a dangerous conspiracy permeating the very foundation of their society. And people are disappearing, one by one…

  If it weren’t for Levi’s twisted-genius brother and Charmin Marvin, Dani’s talking cat, they wouldn’t have gotten this far. At least, not alive.

  Only they aren’t far enough, because someone is still after Dani – and everyone connected to her.

  They need to find a way to expose the massive cover up – and fast… before they are eliminated. Forever.

  Chapter 1

  Dani Summerland walked restlessly through the living room and kitchen. Her new life two centuries in the future had taken a strange and ugly turn. The problems besetting her since her arrival should have been over – instead it looked like things were likely to have gone from bad to horrible. Figures. Murphy’s Law had somehow followed her to this time period. Like how did that work?

  She was desperate to calm the tension vibrating through her. The police had come and gone. As for the lawyer who’d tried to kidnap her, his remains had been removed. Life supposedly could now return to normal. Whatever that meant. She had no normal left. This time jump had come with no warning or preparation.

  Life had hit her sideways and she was still sliding. She’d done the best she could, and Levi had been a godsend. Then again, he’d been the reason she’d been plucked out of her nice happy little life into his – as a gift for him – compliments of his uber brainy kid brother.

  Since she’d first arrived, there’d been nonstop trouble. From horrible pain to debilitating exhaustion to heated passion between her and Levi. That last part had been a bonus. But between that and the people after her, life had been a dangerous roller coaster.

  And she needed off.

  As they still hadn’t gotten to the bottom of this nightmarish kidnapping scenario, they weren’t safe yet. And if anyone found out that the time travel trick had resulted in her overgrown Persian cat now talking like a fluffy Einstein – and getting worse every day…

  Was it any wonder she needed a break from this stress?

  Determinedly, she turned to face Levi. He sat, his chin propped up on his fingertips. Deep in thought. And she could just imagine what was going on in his incredible brain, one that matched his incredible body. Sex aside, Levi had turned out to be a hell of a good man. She walked closer.

  “Are you okay?” She sat down beside him, happy when he opened his eyes and smiled. There was just something weird about knowing that this man was her husband. They’d only known each other a few short days. He’d married her to keep her safe, yet now she couldn’t imagine life without him.

  Her cheeks heated as she remembered some of their best times together. His gaze warmed. He cocked an eyebrow and murmured, “What are you thinking about?”

  She gave a slow intimate smile. “Good times.” She paused then added, “And I was wondering about…” She let the words trail off, not sure how to phrase it.

  “What?” He reached out and slowly stroked her arm up and down. “If you need something, you only have to say it.”

  “I need to get away. From here. From all this nastiness.”

  He frowned and damned if a bit of fear, insecurity maybe, sat in the back of those deep purple eyes.

  “Not from you,” She reached out to stroke his cheek. The shadow in his eyes lightened, and he sat back to study her. “I was just thinking that I have a lot to learn. There are people after us, and we need time together.”

  He nodded. “All true.”

  “I was wondering if we could go away for a week or two. Where it might be safe for you to take me out and show me life here. Where making a major gaffe won’t attract much attention. Where we could spend a little time together. Where every move won’t be watched. Where I can learn ports, and shopping, and…”

  He held up a hand. “I got the idea.”

  “It’s a great idea,” Milo piped up. “We could all use the break.”

  Levi glanced over at her, a question in his eyes. She gave a small laugh and nodded. Of course Milo would come. And there was no way she’d go without Charmin, her walking talking miracle feline.

  “A good idea as long as we all go,” Charmin said as if reading her mind. “It’s too dangerous for us to split up. Besides,” he hopped up on the back of the chair and butted his head against her shoulder. “Who’d look after me?” His huge golden eyes stared at her in worry.

  “Not going to happen.” She stroked his silky back, leaning down to kiss the top of his head. “I wouldn’t go anywhere without you.”

  “Or Milo,” Levi said with a laugh. “It’s a good idea. We’d both have a few things to take care of first, not to mention deciding on where to go. In theory, we could leave tomorrow.”

  She brightened. “Thank you. That would be perfect.” She grinned, thinking about how easy that had been and added, “Besides, today is almost over.”

  Charmin snorted. “What time are you on? It’s barely after lunch.” And he gasped, his eyes rounded into huge glowing marbles. “Lunch.”

  “No,” Dani said. “You had lunch.”

  “But I had an early lunch, and that means it’s snack time.” He turned his flat face toward Levi and deepened his tone. “You did order treats for me, right?”

  “Wow.” Dani rolled her eyes. “It’s hard enough for poor Levi to adjust to a talking cat without that same cat trying to order him around. Remember your manners.”

  “Ha. He’s doing fine.” Charmin shot a leg into the air and proceeded to clean the back of it. “Soon he might even start obeying those orders.”

  She smiled and reached out a hand to stroke her four-year-old pet.

  “Levi, as much as it’s a good idea, I think we need to solve this problem first,” Milo said. “The leads are hot right now. If we leave, these assholes are going to go under and we might never catch them.”

  “I was actually thinking about sending you three away, and I’ll stay here and deal with this,” Levi answered.

  “Oh no.” Dani shook her head. “All of us or none of us.”

  He frowned. “Milo has a good point. This has to stop.” He reached over to cover her hand. “If we leave, they’re just going to be waiting for us when we return.”

  “Then we solve this first – then leave. Personally, I’m thinking beach.” Charmin dropped and sprawled along the back of the couch. “I’d like some more sand.”

  Snort. “Maybe you could just get a litter box instead.” She exchanged a laughing look with Levi, remembering the last time Charmin had come close to sand.

  “If that’s the case,” she said, returning to the problem, “What do we have to do to solve this mess permanently? I hate the idea of always looking over my shoulder.”

  “We need to find Johan and whoever was behind my lawyers’ attempts to kidnap you. John said Lina had gotten him into this trouble, and they probably tortured the name out of her. So we also have to find her killer. I’m hoping the two are the same man or group of men.”

  Johan was Levi’s friend who lived at the top apartment – or used to. She’d never met him. He was on the run from the authorities now.

  “Okay,” she said, “That makes sense – but how?”

  “That’s my part,” Milo said around the straw in his mouth as he sucked up something bright green. “Finding them, in theory, is no problem, but stopping them is.”

  “Because we don’t want to involve the authorities?” Dani asked.

  “Partly, but they are involved already,” Levi said. “There are two dead lawyers. That cannot be glossed over.”

  He reached out and tugged her into his lap. “We need you safe.”

  “I need all of us safe,” she muttered. “But how?”

  *

  Levi cuddled Dani c
lose. He’d do anything to keep her from harm. Had already done several things he’d never have believed. But they’d been necessary. “We’re good at what we do. We’ll find him.” He squeezed her gently. “I promise.”

  When she looked up at him with those huge eyes filled with uncertainty, he repeated, “I promise.”

  Milo came up behind him. “Sounds like it’s time to get back to work.” He brought up the big countertop 3D monitor.

  “I need treats first.” Charmin groaned. “I can’t help you until I regain my strength.”

  Dani laughed. “Ha.” She nudged Charmin’s large sprawling belly. “You’re going to get fat.”

  “I am not fat. Well, maybe a little, but I’m cuter this way.” He stretched out a right paw and offered the underside of his belly for a scratch. When she obliged, he moaned.

  Levi shook his head. “He’s something else. I’ll put on coffee and help Milo.”

  At the sound of coffee, Dani swung around so he could get up. He laughed. “You are as bad as your cat. Your treat is just in liquid form.”

  She stretched out on the space he’d vacated and smiled. “In that case, we both deserve treats.”

  “Finally.” Charmin moaned as if in major pain. “Treats. I need treats.”

  Milo snorted. “How about a booster – whoa, what do we have here?”

  Levi raced over. Dani twisted to lean over the back of the chair. “What did you find?”

  “I’m not sure.” Then Milo pinched his lips and his hands moved faster and faster. Levi stepped back and watched his brother work. It was rare to see him in the zone to this extent. His brother was sheer magic. And when he was on the hunt, he was lethal. His hands flashed. The screens shifted too fast for his eye to see what they were. The monitor buzzed with the speed of the activity. It blurred in front of him. Then Milo made a slashing motion with his hand and everything froze.

  Dani made a strangled sound from behind them. Levi could only imagine what she was thinking. There’d been nothing even close to this in terms of home computing in her time. There were bigger, faster, and more complex computers at his office, but not by much. By the very nature of Milo’s genius, he needed tools available at all times. And typically the best that could be had. That meant building their own supercomputers. Not a problem, but many of their inventions went way past computing. That’s when they got into trouble.