Page 36 of Relentless

A quick smile. “Maybe. Depends on whether or not the woman I have my eye on in Otter Creek is interested in going out with me.”

Piper grinned. “Who is she, Simon?”

He shook his head. “I’m not saying.”

“Aww, come on.”

“Forget it, Piper. If she turns me down, I don’t want pitying looks from my friends.”

“Fine. Have it your way. Have you chosen a bedroom yet?”

“It’s ladies’ choice. I don’t care which room I sleep in.”

“I’ll take the room on the right, then.”

Liam carried her bags to her room and returned to sit on the couch with Piper. “What have you discovered?” he asked Simon.

“I flashed Gavin’s picture around the resort. A waitress and a ski instructor remember him being here yesterday.” He slanted a look at Piper.

“Let me guess. He hit on them?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“He hasn’t changed since I broke up with him.” Once again, she was grateful she’d seen the truth before it was too late.

“Is he still at the resort?” Liam asked.

“I chatted up one of the housekeepers. His bags are here but no one’s seen him in hours.”

They would find Gavin and get some answers. “What about his vehicle?”

“I located a late-model black Escalade with Alabama tags in the parking lot. According to Zane, the tags are registered to Gavin James. He’s at the resort somewhere.”

“He’s waiting for Piper to arrive,” Liam said.

Piper’s eyes narrowed. “I want to talk to him.”

Liam slid her a look. “So do I.”

Oh, boy. That look said Liam wanted to do more than talk. Great. She might have to enlist Simon’s help to keep the two men separated. “What should we do first?”

Liam glanced at his black watch. “We have about four hours of daylight left. Do you want to eat first or try to find the cave?”

“Cave.”

“If we can’t find it within two hours, we’ll try again tomorrow.”

“I’ll grab my pack,” Simon said.

Minutes later, they left the lodge. Liam and Simon each carried packs on their back.

“Why are you carrying equipment into the forest?” Piper asked Liam. Simon walked about twenty feet in front of them, his gait covering the terrain with ground-eating strides.

Man, the Fortress operatives were in fantastic shape. Liam and Simon weren’t even breaking a sweat while Piper was breathing hard and they were only fifteen minutes into this hike.

“We don’t go anywhere without survival gear.”

“Even in Otter Creek?”

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