Page 35 of Relentless

Piper sucked in a breath. “Is this the incident that landed you in a hospital for months?”

“Yeah, it is. I had a lot of time to think while recuperating. A few buddies visited or called. Didn’t take long to figure out my CO was responsible for leaking my unit’s location to the area insurgents.”

Horrified that she might have lost her chance to know Liam because of greed, Piper couldn’t stop herself from planting a kiss on his jaw. So close.

Liam wrapped his hand around hers. “Me, too. I feel guilty, though.”

“Because you survived and your friends didn’t.”

“They’re dead because the CO targeted me. Graham knew I suspected someone else helped Spencer. He was afraid if I kept digging, I’d track the leads to him. He used insurgents to do his dirty work.”

“Would you have stopped your investigation before you found the partner?”

He slid her a look, his expression grim. “Never.”

Once Liam locked on, he wouldn’t let go. “How serious were your injuries?”

“The doctors weren’t sure I would pull through.” He shrugged. “They were wrong.”

“No matter what happens with us, my life is better for having known you.”

Liam didn’t say anything, just squeezed her hand. The miles passed with him watching the mirrors and the surrounding area. Over an hour after leaving Otter Creek, Liam parked in the lot beside the ski resort’s main lodge. He met Piper at the front of the SUV. “It’s beautiful here.”

“This resort used to be one of my favorite places to retreat from the real world.”

He tilted his head. “What happened?”

“Gavin brought Brandy here.”

Liam tugged her into his arms. “I hate that he hurt you, Sunshine.”

“I’m over it and, looking back, I’m grateful.”

“Why?”

“Gavin showed me his true self before I fell too hard for him. He was pushing for more, but something held me back. Now I’m glad I hesitated to make a deeper commitment. If he cheated on me with Brandy and Anita, he would have done the same throughout our relationship and marriage.”

He cupped the side of her face. “You don’t have to worry about that with me. I wouldn’t cheat on you.”

Piper tightened her grip around his waist. “I know.” When Liam gave his word, he kept it.

After pressing a kiss to her forehead, he released Piper. “Let’s store our gear in the suite and meet Simon.”

“Maybe he found Gavin and confronted him.”

A somber glance from the man at her side. “Nothing is ever that easy.”

They registered at the front desk and obtained a key card. Liam escorted Piper to the suite and returned to the SUV for their gear. When she offered to help him, he waved her offer aside. “Explore the suite. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Piper freshened up, then wandered onto the balcony. She breathed deep, dragging in pine-scented air and shivering as a cool breeze blew across her skin. She’d forgotten how cold the temperature could be at the resort in December. She wouldn’t be surprised if snow fell in the next few days.

Liam returned to the suite with Simon on his heels. Both men carried bags inside.

Piper left the balcony and locked the French doors. “What do you think of the resort, Simon?”

“It’s nice. I might return the next time Bravo is on a break and do some skiing.”

Liam’s eyebrows soared. “You interested in a date with a ski bunny?”

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