Chapter 1

Vikki Price sat in the small office inside Fantastic Voyages, an eerie little shop that she had recently inherited from a great aunt, an aunt that she had never known existed. The little shop was nestled right in the middle of ‘no damn where’ Texas, as far as she was concerned, with nothing around it but interstate. Fantastic Voyages sat just North of Interstate 20, with Aledo, Texas population, not many, just south of the interstate. Nothing about the place seemed fantastic, nor did it hint of any voyage to anywhere except maybe to Goodwill, Vikki thought.

While Fort Worth, Dallas, Arlington, and the surrounding areas of the Metroplex were all within an hours’ drive, this place looked as if no one had been through the door in years, and why would they? Not only was this place on the interstate headed to nowhere, but it was also full of weird... “Shit,” Vikki thought to herself. “It’s all shit.”

She had no idea what many of the items were, much less what they were for. Other items just seemed like junk nobody would want. However, along with the eerie little shop had come an extremely large inheritance, a nice home in Fort Worth, and several luxury cars that were now hers. Everything was hers provided she kept the shop open, and by open, the will had specified get customers through the door. She had to sell two items in the first year. If she did it was all hers. If she failed it all went to the state.

Today she had driven the Lexus LX from her newly inherited home to the shop for the first time. According to what she had found on the internet the sticker price of the LX started around $80,000.00. The one she inherited was as loaded as they come, so she had no clue how much it had cost.

The home was a spacious five-bedroom, five and a half bath, with four-car garage in a gated community, swimming pool and jacuzzi included. This was not quite what she expected with all the money she had inherited. She had expected some mansion as she’d seen on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”. Thank God it wasn’t. She did not want that much home, nor did she want to have someone around taking care of it all day every day.

Vikki sat in the shop, thinking back three weeks ago to how this all began...

“Ms. Price? ... Ms. Price?”

“Yes, sorry?” Vikki looked up.

“If you would come this way, he is ready for you now.”

Vikki followed the tall brunette down the hallway of offices. What was her name? Vikki could not remember, though she knew the lady had introduced herself when Vikki had first arrived at the law offices of Hughes, Hughes & Conner this morning. The lady reminded her somewhat of the actress that played Lilly Muster.

The nameless brunette led Vikki into an office where a gentleman with snow-white hair sat behind a beautiful desk. Though Vikki was no antique expert she knew this desk had to be old and expensive; it was very ornate and beautiful. Then again, everything in this building had to be expensive.

Standing as Vikki entered, he extended his hand, “Randall Hughes, Ms. Price,” his steel-grey eyes and warm smile eased the nervous tension Vikki had been feeling. She had no idea how old he was, his white hair did not seem to match his age. He also looked like someone she would expect to be guarding a politician, or a military general, not sitting behind a desk in a law firm.

Vikki took his offered hand, so warm, strong, and comforting. She gave him a nervous smile and took a seat in the chair across from his desk when offered.

“Please sit. Can we get you anything, Ms. Price?”

“Please, just call me Vikki,” she finally managed to speak.

“Very well Vikki. Can we get you anything? Water, Coffee, Tea, maybe some carbonated water?”

“No thank you. I’m fine. I’m just...”

“Wondering why you are here, I presume.”

“To say the least,”.

Sitting down Randal made a small wave to the nameless brunette, who departed from the office. ‘No, not nameless’, Vikki thought, she just could not remember the name.

“Vikki as you may or may not know you are kin to the late actor Vincent Price.”

Vikki nodded, “Yes I know, though I do not know that side of the family. My mother and father were killed in a car accident when I was nine weeks old.”

“Yes, I know. I am very sorry. Raised by,” Randal looked at a sheet of paper on his desk, “Your maternal grandparents, Clark and Mary Hines.”

Vikki nodded. “So that begs to wonder why I am here. Vincent was a great uncle on my father’s side. Any dealings with his estate would have long ago been done away with.”

“Yes. Yes indeed. Forgive me for saying Vikki, but I know that you feel a heavyweight on your young shoulders, it has been placed there by your feelings of guilt. The guilt of what your grandparents have given up by helping pay for your college.”

Vikki did not even try to feign surprise. It was evident that they knew quite a bit about her. She only nodded.

“So much burden for a twenty-three-year-old woman to carry. Vikki, what if I told you, I am here to end every one of your troubles. To stop the worry you have for your future and that of your grandparents?”

“I’d ask you if you have a magic wand,” Vikki laughed.

Randal saw the humor in her words and chuckled along with her. “Well, I can end it, though my wand isn’t magic,” he smiled. Vikki only smiled inward, ‘was that a sexual innuendo,’ she wondered? Not that she had a daddy kink, well not that she didn’t either, he was very handsome and distinguished looking. “As I was saying, you’re being a descendant of Vincent Price has led to some other things. As you stated, his estate is long gone, from taxes, debts, and greedy relatives.”

“Mr. Hughes, what does any of this have to do with me?”

“Indulge me please,” he offered that heartwarming smile again. “Vincent was not the only one in his family who made themselves wealthy Vikki. He had a sister Pamela, not of stage and screen, but she in her own right managed to acquire a fortune ... More so than Vincent ever could have. She made it by selling odds and ends. Trinkets. Rarities if you will.”

“Ok?”

“Well, seeing what happened in the papers after Vincent passed away Pamela had us, which is our firm, start looking for an heir for her fortune.”

“So, she had no kids?”

“No, none. You might think she was a recluse, but she was not. Pamela was a very social person and the past few years spent much of her time traveling and seeing the world. For many years, we, along with investigators were tracking you down, Vikki.”

“So, what you are telling me is, I’m like some young girl you see in books and movies who just suddenly inherits a million dollars from some unknown relative?” Vikki asked with a raised eyebrow.

Randall gave that smile of his again. “Well Vikki, it’s not quite that simple,” He looked down at his desk opening a folder. What you have inherited is the following: Her business, which is a shop that sells, as I mentioned before, odds and ends. A house in an affluent neighborhood, three cars, one luxury boat that you could call a small yacht. Let’s see here,” he said running his finger across a page. “Ah yes, if you let us handle the transfer of assets, we will see that all fees and taxes are paid accordingly, leaving you Ms. Price, the sum of, $437, 520,412.43. However, you must sell at least two things from the shop this ye-”

Vikki opened her eyes, focusing on the tall nameless brunette who was dabbing her forehead with a cool rag. “It is ok sweetie you passed out.”

“I ... I did?”

“I believe you were overcome with the news,” Randall said with that warming smile. “I must apologize I did not expect you to react as such, so I was ill-prepared for your loss of consciousness. Would you like us to call a physician?”

“Uh ... No, I’m fine ... Maybe I could use a cold drink of water though.”

“But of course, sweetie.” The brunette helped her sit upright in the chair and disappeared. She came back with a cold bottle of Voss Artesian Water. Though never having heard of it, Vikki accepted taking a sip. It felt ice cold and her throat almost ached from dryness.

Vikki upright in her chair once again, Randall returned to his chair behind the desk smiling at her once she was settled.

“I would expect you have questions Vikki?”

“Why me?”

“I feel a bit guilty saying this, but we had you digitally dissected.”

“What?”

“We had computer forensics investigate you and your maternal family. You all have appeared to live a normal life. We have followed your activities from around your junior high year in school. None of the drama that has erupted in the Price family for years ever touched any of you. In fact, Pamela herself was so far removed from that, they don’t even know she existed. Or more; they forgot about her.

Your grandparents have always been honest hard-working folks who never have harmed anyone. You, yourself never have been in any trouble, working hard in school ... But the kicker was when Pamela saw a picture of you those years ago, she said yes. She knew by looking at your picture that you were to be her heir. So, we started the process of making all arrangements at that time.”

“So, she decided just from the picture?”

“She was a bit of a gypsy one might say. She took things from the heart and moved quickly...

Vikki focused her eyes back on the surroundings of the shop coming out of her thoughts. It had been a whirlwind for the past few weeks. Her grandparents had been flown in for the second meeting with Randall; she’d signed the documents taking possession of the assets and as directed by Vikki, two million dollars were transferred to Clark and Mary’s bank account that morning.

Randall had also assigned three rather intense men, all looking like they were ready to fight a war always outside her home in SUV’s. One, at a minimum, would accompany her wherever she went at a distance to respect her space. Vikki had tried to deny the protection, but it was part of the will for the foreseeable future.

“Pamela wanted it that way. When people suddenly come into money, it brings out the crazies,” Randall had said. He also told her that the three men around her would take out any garbage that needed. The look on Randall’s face kept her from asking what he meant. She did notice one man had a tattoo on his forearm similar to one her grandfather had. Vikki knew it was an Army Special Forces tattoo, which told her know all she needed to know about these men and what they were prepared to do.

Looking over the books for the business it seemed - as she suspected - that not a soul had walked through those doors in years. So how to get people in the door here in the middle of nowhere was the question. She had one year to sell her first two pieces or lose all of this? The funny part was the pieces were not expensive so how did Aunt Pam make all this money? Aunt Pam, that seemed strange, Vikki had not even seen a picture of this mysterious late aunt.

Back to the problem at hand ... How to get people in the door of this museum of ‘weird shit,’ Vikki wondered...

She needed a website and social media. That is how many businesses started from the ground these days and this business was on the ground. She made a call to Randall at the lawyer’s office, he could see no harm in advertising online, but he cautioned about selling things online.

Vikki called the local internet company who gave her that, ‘sometime between eight in the morning to five in the afternoon in the next three weeks,’ answer. That was unacceptable so she called Randall back. He made a few calls, and suddenly they would be at her shop in the morning bright and early along with also sending a crew to her home. Randall would arrange for one of the mountains he called men to stay at her home and see to the installation and make sure the home was safe.

Vikki now knew all three of the men’s names. The leader, Dusty Fogg, she liked that name, made him sound like some old west gunfighter in her mind. She’d watched old Westerns with her grandfather when she was little. Dusty was former Army Special Forces and leader of her small team of men. He went by Whiplash. Then there was Thomas Roundtree, who was also former Army Special Forces, and he went by, Apple, since he was from the Big Apple. Finally, there was Bobby Rosse, who went by Painter since his name so resembled the famous Bob Ross. Painter was a Marine. She had since learned that there are no former Marines, they are always Marines even after they leave the service.

All the guys began to call her Vikki, which she had insisted on instead of Ms. Price, which made her sound like a grandmother, not a twenty-three-year-old woman. They deemed her ‘Blue Bonnet,’ for her ... what was it she was trying to remember ... oh yes, her call sign. That is how they identified her with one another and the law firm. She felt a little embarrassed by all the fuss over her, but it also made her giggle. She felt like someone important.

Vikki was feeling bad that the guys seemed content to stay in the vehicles while she was in the new store. She called Whiplash in.

“Whip, I can’t have you guys sitting in the parking lot all day.”

“It’s our job, Vikki.”

“I understand that and have accepted that you men are now part of my life. What I am saying is there is another office,” she pointed to a door marked storage. “I know it says storage but it’s empty and you can tell at one point it was an office. My question is what would it take to make that a place for you guys to do what you need to do?”

Whiplash pressed a button attached to the tactical vest he wore, “Painter I need you inside.”

“What’s up, boss?” he asked coming in the front door.

“Blue Bonnette wants us to make an office in that space over there. Check it out and give me a rundown on what we need to make it an acceptable base of operations.”

“On it, Boss.” Painter headed to the storage room.

“Now since you guys have to go with me everywhere, would you go looking like a swat team if I were to attend a function?”

Whiplash smiled. He liked Vikki. She was down to Earth and did not even remotely seem like the money was going to her head. Not to mention she was by far the prettiest thing they had been tasked to watch.

“We don’t knuckle drag all the time. Believe it or not, we do own suits.”

“So, what would it take to get the men in my life to dress in suits or even casual wear while we are in public and here? We nearly scared J.C. Penny’s to death when I went clothes shopping last week?”

Whiplash laughed. “Yeah, you caught us off guard going in there. Listen, Vikki, I know this is new to you and we are trying our best not to be in the way, but it would help if you let us know where we are going. But to answer your question, going forward we will dress as you wish.”

“I did not mean it like that. I meant-”

“It wasn’t taken wrong I promise. You need more covert security with you, we’ll be that.”

“I promise to keep you abreast of where I’m going. Would it be more suitable for your job if one of you rode with me?”

“That would not bother you?”

“Not at all. It took a little adjustment, but you guys have a job to do and I’m not some spoiled princess or daddy’s girl, mad that the big tough men force me to comply.”

They both laughed.

“Very well. It would be more beneficial to us if you let one of us drive you where you go.”

Vikki looked at him.

“I don’t mean ride in the back like Ms. Daisy. You could ride in the front, that way if you go shopping whoever is in with you can go in and it will look ... Well, it will be better.”

“You mean it would like more like a man and woman, than a woman being protected?”

Whiplash nodded.

“Would it be you?”

“Well normally yes, I prefer to be closest to the principal.”

“Very well, I accept the idea. I mean if I have to be protected by big manly men, I don’t mind one accompanying me.”

Whiplash was not sure if that was a veiled flirt or not. He’d have to keep an eye out for that. One thing he could not do was fall into a relationship with anyone he needed to protect.

“Relax Whip, I know that is a no-no. I just meant if it appears that we are a couple when we are in stores, I’m flattered someone would think that we were together.”

“As you wish.”

Painter came out of the office. “What do you think?” Whiplash asked.

“Depends on the budget. Other than four walls this place has not even had security as an afterthought.”

“I was afraid of that.”

“Guys, get what you need. The expense is no worry.”

“You sure Vikki?”

“Absolutely and might as well do what you guys think at the house also. Since it has a spare living room behind the double doors to the left, why don’t you guys take it for your ... Base? Isn’t that what you call it?”

Whiplash nodded. “You sure?”

“God yes. You guys always sitting in cars is silly. If we are going to all be together for quite a while, then let’s make the best of it for all. There is also two beds and bath off it on the backside, set it up for you guys also.”

“You heard the lady, start making a list for here and when we get back. Contact the guys we trust to do the job.”

“Got it, boss,” Painter turned and headed back to the spare office.

“And most ricky-tick-tick,” Whiplash added.

“Rodger that boss.”

“Vikki, this will help us rotate out a lot easier. Thank you for this.”

“I have three mountains who have sworn to give their lives for me in case some nut job pops out of the bushes. No Whip, thank you. I don’t think there will be trouble but, with the insane amount of money ... Well, I’m glad you men are here. Now the business won’t be open for a week two so you guys can just hang out in here if you want. I have the internet people coming tomorrow, here and the house.”

“Who cleared them?”

“What do you mean?”

“Who called them out?”

“Well, I tried but got that possible, ‘a few weeks answer,’ so Randall called them.”

“Vikki...,” Whiplash rubbed his chin.

“Go ahead Whip.”

“I need to cancel them and let me get a crew to take care of it. I promise two days max you will have what you need. The team will eat up a lot of bandwidth with what we need and...”

“Never hold back from me, please. Lay it out. That is what you are here for.”

“Very few people know you have this newfound wealth.”

“True that is why I thought this was silly to begin with.”

Whiplash sighed, “Vikki we are here to protect you from everyone, and I mean everyone.”

“You mean, what? Randall?”

“Leaks can be anywhere. His firm represents big clients and a lot of them. If his office or phones were bugged. He has one intern who talks at the coffee truck ... They may not be looking for you, but figure you are an easier target. You get what I’m saying?”

“I do. Ok Whip, from now on it all goes through you.”

“Listen, I don’t want you paranoid.”

“I’m not, I promise. Listen, five weeks ago I was going to college waiting tables at night so I could ease the burden off my grandparents. Now I’m an heiress to a fortune and a shop full of...”

“Weird shit.” Whiplash laughed causing Vikki to

“Those were my thoughts. So, the show is officially yours my tall friend.”

“That sounds good. Maybe tonight if you aren’t too tired, we can set out some goals. Also, with you giving us a place to lay our heads we can get it down to where either I am with you, or Apple and Painter are with you.”

“Oh? You can do it all by yourself,” Vikki asked with a smile. Damn, she wanted to flirt so badly. If ever she had met an Alpha male, he was standing before her. Had to be 6”3’, no idea what he weighed but from what she could see he was all muscle. Hell, his forearms had muscles, his hands looked so large and strong, and honey brown eyes. Even though his brown hair was short she could tell it was thick along with his goatee, which had a slight hint of grey stripes, one down each side. His deep voice made her tummy feel warm and her pussy twitched. Maybe when this was over...

“That’s why I am the team leader, Blue.”

Vikki giggled. She loved it when they called her Blue. “Know anything about boats?”

“No, why?”

“I inherited one. From what I understand it’s fairly big.”

“Where is it?”

“I honestly don’t know,” Vikki laughed.

“I will check with Randall and have Painter give it a look. He’s the water guy. Now if you will excuse me, I’m going to get on that list with Painter.”

“Ok. Don’t forget Apple is still outside.”

“Roger that Blue.” Whiplash walked toward the storage pressing the transmitter on his vest. “Blue Bonnet wants us all inside. Stage the vehicles to block and escape, then come in. Nobody comes in today; she is expecting negative visitors.”

“Roger that boss,” Came the reply from Apple.

Vikki headed back to the office deciding to clean it today. The dust was so thick you could plant potatoes as her granddaddy would say.

A few days later all was as Whiplash had promised, the internet was set up at the shop and house. There had been a string of men in and out the past few days. Many looking like Whip and his crew and many looking like they should be reading comic books. Whiplash had assured her that everyone who came and went was thoroughly vetted and were “Top shelf.”

Vikki was at home working on the website. She had been amazed that Apple knew so much about web design. Why she was surprised she wasn’t sure. With her grandad having been Special Forces she’d met a few guys that served with him, and all were as extremely intelligent as he himself was. Apple had a degree in web design before the military. Whiplash had wanted to be an English teacher but ended up in the Army and had a master’s degree. Not only were her men deadly, but they were intelligent.

Apple had added a lot of security to Vikki’s phone and laptop. He had also made suggestions on and helped design a lot of the site and recommended not posting pictures of the items. To him, it all looked like junk also.

“Hey Blue,” Whiplash said coming into the kitchen where she was at the bar working on her laptop.

“What’s up?”

“If I gave you this, would you wear this whenever we leave the house?” he asked showing her a bracelet that had animal charms on it.

“That’s pretty.” Vikki’s smile was bright. “Oh ... I assume there is a reason you specified when we leave?”

“We have trackers in your phone and laptop, but this would be on you if we get separated for any reason.”

Vikki fake sighed, “What does a girl have to do to get real jewelry?” They both laughed as she took the jewelry box with the bracelet in it.

Vikki was surprised when Whiplash said, “Another time another place you know.” Then his cheeks turned a little pink. He tried to cover it, “It can of course be worn as an anklet, you know. To not mess with your wardrobe too much.”

“Thanks, Whip, seriously. I was thinking about all of us eating. We are bringing in a ton of delivery, all unhealthy and well, I like to cook when I have time. I guess my question is any of you hulks the domestic male types?” Vikki was giving him the playful smile that made his heart pick up a bit.

“Is the lady of the house inviting us knuckle-dragging Neanderthals into her kitchen?” Whip looked so serious Vikki felt her heart drop.

“Whip...”

He laughed,

“You butt.” She threw a wadded-up paper towel at him, both laughing.

“We do love to cook and such. In fact, we rather do that. Like you said unhealthy, and this is long-term.”

“Right so I have been thinking again. Five bedrooms and four of us.”

“Vikki,”

Come on. You guys can’t stay all cooped up in there. When you are gone someday, I will never get all the fart smell out of one room.”

They were both dying laughing now. It was great to hang out with them. All her friends were down near Austin.

“Seriously Whip, that leaves one bedroom for when grandad and grandma are visiting.”

“You know as time goes and the threat level drops, we could drop down to a one-man show ... I mean since you are letting us stay here ... I mean...”

Vikki smiled; she had a good idea who the one man would be. “Well, when that happens it will. Till then I need my guys all comfy and relaxed. We need things like taco night, a game night you know ... Maybe pool night, you guys can fire up the grill ... Oh yeah, we need a grill and then we can hang out.”

Sighing, “Vikki...”

“I know I’m bringing you guys in too close. I just ... my grandad always told me how the military is a family, and I can’t see why we can’t be family while you are all here.”

“You’re right. I think we can figure it out. Your grandad, he served?”

“Yep. He has a similar tattoo to that one,” Vikki pointed to the tattoo on Whiplash’s forearm.

“What is his name.”

“Clark Hines.”

Whip tapped around on his phone as they joked and laughed. Looking at his phone when it vibrated half an hour later, he looked up at Vikki. “Your granddaddy was 3rd Special Forces Group. Saw a lot of action.”

“He never really talks too much about it. I just know he was Special Forces. Met a lot of his friends.”

“I checked with a buddy of mine; your granddaddy was a heroic sonofa ... well, you know.” He and Vikki laughed. God how he loved her laugh and smile. “He grabbed a few medals in his time with his ODA’s (Operational Detachment Alpha). If he comes while we are here, I’d like to meet him.”

Vikki was all smiles, she’d love for all the guys, but especially Whip to meet her grandad. She’d like Whip to meet her in her bedroom too...

“What do you think about me hiring a temporary employee or two for a few weeks?”

“For what Vik?”

“Well, there is a lot of cleaning to do, that place is all mothballs and dust. Move some stuff around.”

“You got three domestic-type males; we can help.”

“I appreciate it, but I know it’s not your job.”

“It’s also not part of our contract that our principle feeds us, lets us have a nice place to stay, and treats us like human beings instead of guard dogs, but here we are.”

Vikki was laughing. “Wait you are serious? People treat you guys bad?”

“More often than not. As you said once before, you get the spoiled ones. The ones who know they need us, but then want to second guess us.”

“Why do it?”

“Somebody has to. Money is good. I’d like to retire before I’m too old or too full of bullet holes to enjoy my life someday.”

“Maybe you will meet some rich girl who will take you away from all of that life someday.”

Whip looked at Vikki, He could see it plain as day now. She was as attracted to him as he was to her. “Eh, who wants some grizzled old war dog hanging around all the time?”

“Maybe a girl who sees the heart of a loving man buried in all that muscle.”

“Vikki.”

“You said another time another place. Well, another time could be when your time here is done.”

Whiplash stepped closer to where Vikki sat on the stool fighting his urges to just grab her up and kiss her when Painter came in.

“Hey, boss.”

“What’s up?” Whip turned toward Painter putting distance between himself and Vikki.

Vikki wanted to throw her water bottle at Painter but laughed quietly to herself.

“Found the boat. Voyages II. It’s down on the coast. In an upscale slip there, looked after by the Marina. I could take a two-day trip and check it out whenever need be,” Painter informed them.

“You in any hurry, Blue?”

“Nah Whip, just need to know what it is. I mean if it’s junk.”

“Harbormaster sent me pictures of her, she’s a nice one. Looks like the crew is a local group that was used when it went out. Seems it was mainly just partying a couple of times a year,” Painted told them showing them both pictures of the boat.

It had been eight weeks since Vikki took over the estate and inheritance. They’d left the shop a while, working from home for the last week. Whiplash’s crew had set up not only the shop, but her home also to be secure also. Cameras and an alarm monitoring company used by the Department of Defense and the extremely wealthy were monitoring everything from the chlorine in the pool to the slightest quick rise in temperature in the house. Whiplash and his crew left nothing to chance with Vikki’s safety.

The website was up and running but it seemed impossible to list items without pictures. There wasn’t a way to describe most things since they seemed to be junk. Vikki had read in the will herself where she was never to price anything but to let the customer make an offer.

Vikki and her guys sat around Fantastic Voyages; it was the day of the grand opening. Not one of them seemed surprised that by one in the afternoon not a single car had pulled into the lot. Whip sat looking at Vikki from across the gallery, he could read the stress in her face. It was day one, he would find some way to cheer her up when they all got back to Vikki’s place. He could tell Vikki was not an impatient person in general but the anxiety of opening the store and having to sell these things was wearing on her.