Page 21 of Captive Lies

My friend sprang to his feet and started pacing again. “Yeah, but he started before that. Nosey bastard. So far, from what I’ve gathered, he’s only scratched the surface.” Liam stopped pacing and faced me. “How do you feel abouthim?”

“Not sure I’mfollowing.”

“Do you lovehim?”

“That’s kind of personal,” I said, all my defenses rearing up inattention.

“But pertinent to where I’m going with this,” Liam replied. “I have a hunch that he would stop digging into our backgrounds if you were to move to Boston. I’m not cool with that plan if you don’t care enough for him and you end up feeling like a sacrificiallamb.”

“It’s too soon to tell, Liam,” I saidquietly.

“You feel something for him?” he asked a less directquestion.

“I do,” I admitted wistfully. “I’m not sure what it isyet.”

“Shit,” Liam muttered. “You’re inlove.”

“I’m not!” I exclaimed, a little tooquickly.

He barked a laugh. “Well, you’re insomething. Your face doesn’tlie.”

“You’re embarrassing me right now,” I grumbled as I felt heat creep up mycheeks.

Liam sat beside me again. “From what I can tell, he’s damned serious about you, but what I’ve uncovered about his past relationships isn’t promising.” I had a feeling I wouldn’t like his next words. “They don’t last more than three months. At most, four. If you do go to Boston, it may not be a lastingmove.”

I laughed without mirth. “So why risk exposingmyself?”

“Once I go after the person who has the physical evidence, it could turn ugly—our cover, blown. This cabin may no longer be secure. I may not be able to warn you or protect you in time, but Grant has the resources to provide yousecurity.”

“For at least three or four months?” I said sarcastically. “I guess the clock is tickingthen.”

My friend exhaled heavily. “I’ve done my own research on Thorne. I couldn’t get the data on the type of security he has on his properties for obvious reasons, and he doesn’t have personal security teams unless he goes out of the country. You’ll need to lay low. Can you dothat?”

“I told Grant I’m an introvert, that I don’t do well withcrowds.”

Liam broke into a slow, proud smile. “Atta girl. It’s easier to stay anonymous in a city like Boston. Most of my leads are on the east coast, so if you get an inkling your relationship with Thorne isn’t working out—give me a heads-up as soon as you can, so I can make plans to extractyou.”

I shot him an apprehensivelook.

“It might take me a couple days …” he explained. “Maybe a week to make sure I can cover my tracks and get you some place safe if this cabin iscompromised.”

“Or you can simply take me along,” Isuggested.

Liam gave me a wry grin, but instead of answering, he asked, “So where’sloverboy?”

I rolled my eyes. “He’s in Vail. Said the Wi-Fi was fasterthere.”

“Is he coming bytoday?”

My cheeks burned. “He’s been staying over everynight.”

“You workfast.”

I scowled at Liam. “When do I tell him I’m willing to make themove?”

“As soon aspossible.”

“Tonight?”

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