Page 48 of Relentless

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Liam laid his hand on Piper’s knee, concern knotting his gut. Distress had filled her eyes the longer she read Gavin’s last letter. “What is it, Piper?”

“Gavin is sending us on a scavenger hunt.”

He frowned. “This isn’t the information on Barone?”

She shook her head. “He was afraid to leave the evidence where anyone could find it. This is a clue to the next location.”

Simon stared. “A deep crevice in a cave is not exactly on the main tourist route.”

“You have to understand how his mind worked. Gavin created quests for video games for a living. He loved the hunt.”

“Do you like them?” Matt asked.

Another head shake. “I guess he forgot.”

Gavin was more attuned to his interests than hers. Unable to vocalize his certainty without hurting Piper, Liam squeezed her knee and rose. “Where are we going, Sunshine?”

She locked a somber gaze on him. “Hartman, Alabama.”

Stunned, Liam dropped into his chair. Gavin left the next puzzle piece in their hometown where Barone and Piper’s uncle lived? Unbelievable.

Simon dragged a hand down his face. “We can’t leave town, Liam.”

“I’m not letting Piper go to Hartman alone.”

Matt’s eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong with going to Hartman?”

“It’s my hometown,” Piper said. “My uncle and Matteo Barone live there along with Barone’s network of thugs and spies.” She turned to Liam. “Brandy also lives there. If we can’t find her in Copper Ridge, we might be able to trace her from Hartman.”

Cade groaned. “Going to Hartman is a bad idea, Liam. You’ll be in the center of Barone’s stronghold.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Wouldn’t change his mind. He refused to let Piper return home without him. Even if her uncle wasn’t laundering money, that still left Barone desperate to destroy the information Piper sought.

“You aren’t going alone.”

Liam shook his head. “I can’t ask you to go with us. I don’t want Bravo on Barone’s radar. He’s too dangerous and you have wives to protect.”

“I don’t have a wife.” Simon glowered. “Don’t even think about telling me to stay in Otter Creek, man. You need backup.”

“You need the team,” Trent said. “You can’t tackle this alone.”

“This discussion is moot if we don’t have permission for Liam and Simon to leave,” Matt said. “The last thing Liam needs is a warrant for his arrest. He’ll be no good to Piper from a jail cell.”

Trent made a call that he placed on speaker.

A moment later, Brent Maddox answered. “What do you need, St. Claire?” he asked.

“You’re on speaker with Bravo and Piper. Sorry for the late call, boss. We have a situation.”

“Talk to me.”

Trent summarized the events since Piper, Simon, and Liam had arrived in Copper Ridge, ending with the necessity of traveling to Piper’s hometown.

Maddox whistled. “You need more than Bravo to handle Barone and his crew. Let me make some calls. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. In the meantime, lay low and rest. Piper?”

She jerked. “Yes, sir?”

---