Page 40 of Relentless

Piper gripped Liam’s forearm. “Simon?”

“Not the one who yelled.” He hoped his friend had winged the shooter.

Ten minutes later, Simon strode into view with his hand gripping a big bruiser by the arm. The thug’s hands were restrained behind his back and his mouth moved continuously in a string of inventive curses.

Simon shoved him to the ground in front of the rock formation. “Watch your mouth. There’s a lady present.”

The man glared at the operative and glanced around with cold eyes. Looking for an escape route, a partner, or Piper?

Liam reached down and helped Piper stand. “Did he have friends?” he asked Simon.

“One. He won’t be a problem.”

“It’s your fault,” the stranger growled, his gaze fixed on Piper. “You’re the reason he’s dead.”

Who was he referring to? The second shooter or Gavin? Liam stepped in front of Piper, blocking her from the shooter’s view. “He’s dead because of his own choices.” He pulled out his cell phone.

The shooter smirked. “No signal out here, dude.”

He ignored the verbal jab. “Get his prints,” he told Simon. Zane could run them while he and the others waited for the local cops to arrive.

More cursing filled the air as Simon shoved the stranger onto his stomach, jarring the shoulder with a bullet wound, and proceeded to press the man’s fingers and thumbs to the screen of his phone, one at a time. When he was finished, Simon slapped the back the man’s head. “Shut up or I’ll gag you.”

Another hate-filled glare Simon’s direction but the man subsided.

With Piper at his side, Liam reported the murder and attempted murder to the police. He gave the dispatcher their coordinates and promised to wait for law enforcement to arrive. Although he’d rather get Piper out of here, he couldn’t leave Simon to deal with the cops alone. He’d defended himself when the two thugs shot at him. Liam had been inside the cave with Gavin’s body as he was sure the remaining shooter would be happy to inform the police. Anything to muddy the waters and separate Liam from Piper.

He caught Simon’s eye. “You okay here for a minute? I need to talk to my woman alone.”

“Yeah.” He gave a slow smile. “Our new friend and I will get better acquainted.”

For the first time, the thug looked uneasy. He should. Simon was a top-notch interrogator. Whatever this guy knew, Simon would find out before the cops arrived on the scene.

Liam ushered Piper deeper into the trees. He stopped far enough away that they wouldn’t be observed but close enough to aid Simon if he needed help. A muffled yell sounded behind them.

Piper turned back. “Something’s wrong.”

“Simon’s asking the shooter a few questions.”

She stared a moment. “Doesn’t sound like a friendly question-and-answer session.”

“Don’t ask me anything about that. Take this.” He dragged an envelope from his pocket and held it out to Piper. “Don’t open or read it right now.”

She frowned. “What is this?”

“Gavin left it for you. Hide it.”

Piper sat on a nearby fallen tree and unlaced her hiking boot. She arranged the envelope inside, slid her foot in, and tied her laces. “Why give the envelope to me?”

“There’s an excellent chance the police will take me into custody and transport me to the station for interrogation. I don’t want them to get their hands on this.”

“Liam.” Piper’s voice sounded choked. “Not again. This isn’t your fault. You didn’t kill him.”

He cupped her jaw and leaned in to brush a soft kiss over her lips. “I’ll be their primary suspect.”

“You didn’t know Gavin.”

“I’m involved with you. They’ll assume I’m a jealous, insecure boyfriend who felt threatened when Gavin contacted you and asked you to meet him.”

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