Page 33 of Relentless

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Piper felt as though she’d taken a punch to the gut. “That can’t be true. Uncle Gino didn’t approve of Matteo’s activities. You said law enforcement suspected money laundering. They don’t have proof.”

“The feds are close to having what they need to file charges against him.”

No. Just no. Pain speared her heart. “Uncle Gino knows how I feel about Matteo. He admitted his old friend had changed and not in a good way.”

“Be prepared, Piper. If your uncle is involved with Barone, he’s going to prison.”

She dropped her head against Liam’s shoulder, too stunned and hurt to reply. She prayed the feds cleared her uncle.

“Keep digging, Zane.” Liam rubbed his cheek against the crown of her head, offering silent comfort. “We have to know for sure.”

“Copy that. Now, what do you need?”

“Access the security footage for Wicks, Delilah Rainer’s candle shop in Otter Creek.” He gave Zane the date. “Start at noon and make a copy of the feed until seven o’clock that night.”

“What am I looking for?”

“A man with salt-and-pepper hair, black-framed glasses, built, dressed in camouflage pants and black shirt.” He frowned. “He’ll be the one asking Piper for a date.”

Zane laughed. “Are you serious?”

Liam growled. “Just do it.”

“You can’t convince me you’re checking this guy because of jealousy. I doubt she looked twice at him. What’s behind the sudden interest?”

He explained about the break-ins at Piper’s house and his. “Can’t prove it, but I think this man is involved in the security breach at my place.”

Zane gave a low whistle. “Are the break-ins connected?”

“Doubt it. Piper’s place was tossed. Mine was searched but nothing is out of place. Whoever broke into my house was trained. In addition, run a deeper search for interest in me or Piper.”

“Your teammates report security breaches?”

“No. This feels personal.”

“I’ll see what I can find. Expect the security feeds in your email within the hour.”

“Transfer me to the boss. I haven’t reported to him yet.”

“Roger that. Later.”

In seconds, another deep voice filled the cabin. “You’re home from deployment less than a day and you ran into trouble. What’s going on?”

“You’re on speaker with Piper Reece.”

“Ah. Nice to talk to you, Piper. I’m Brent Maddox, owner of Fortress Security. What’s happening, Liam.”

He gave a rapid-fire report. “Zane is running a deep check to see if someone is inquiring about us.”

“I assume you haven’t taken out an ad or fired up a social media presence in recent days. Has your family or Piper mentioned you online?”

“Not me.” Piper was aware of the extra lengths the operatives’ wives went to in order to protect their mates. No one mentioned a spouse on any social media platform and said almost nothing about their work with the townspeople, much to the annoyance of Otter Creek’s gossips.

“I’ll talk to my mother and sister, but they’re used to a media blackout from when I was in Special Forces. They don’t view my current job in a different light.”

“Is it possible Barone is targeting Piper through you?”

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