Page 52 of Relentless

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

As Liam ended the call to his mother, his gaze met Cade’s. Her admonition to protect himself and Piper at all costs still echoed in his mind. His strong, protective mother agreed the private witness protection program was best if matters couldn’t be resolved with Barone and his crew.

“How did she take it?” his friend asked.

“Better than I hoped. She insisted I find a way to communicate with her. If I was permanently relocated with a new name, I should expect her to ask Maddox to do the same for her and maybe my sister, too.”

Cade gave a low whistle. “Your mother has a steel spine.”

“I don’t know if Marissa will uproot her life. If not, I’ll find a way to keep in touch and make sure she’s protected.”

“You’re lucky. Not every family would reinvent themselves for an adult child.”

Liam’s eyes stung. “I know. Mom wants to rock her grandchildren.”

“What about your sister’s children?”

“She’s not married or dating, and she also can’t have kids. Severe injuries from a car accident.”

“Your sister could adopt. Many children need a great home.”

“She won’t consider adoption. Says it reminds her of the loss. Marissa plans to be the favorite aunt my children run to for comfort when they’re angry at me. If this situation with Barone goes south, she won’t have the opportunity to spoil my children.”

Cade studied him a moment, speculation in his gaze. “Why consider going into witness protection for Piper? You’ve only dated a few months.”

Liam poured coffee into a mug and sipped before answering. “I can’t let Piper go alone. She’s not trained in evasion tactics. One mistake and Barone’s people will be on her in a heartbeat.”

“You’re talking about giving up your current life and losing everything you’ve worked for.”

Liam glanced at Piper’s closed door. “I’m falling in love with her. I can’t let her walk out of my life. I need Piper.”

A slow nod from his friend. “Then we obliterate Barone and his crew. Otherwise, we’ll have to break in a newbie for Bravo. Does Piper know how you feel?”

“Would you tell a woman you’ve dated for a few weeks that you want to rush her down the aisle, place a wedding band on her finger, and change her identity? I need time without her being afraid of a Hartman thug will catch her alone and demand incriminating information. I won’t have that time if we’re constantly looking over our shoulder, on the run from Barone’s henchmen.”

“We’ll help you.” A pointed look from his friend. “We never leave a man behind.”

Liam’s eyes stung as he positioned himself on the other side of the French doors and kept watch while he sipped his coffee.

When Liam’s mug was empty, Cade said, “You need sleep.”

“I have research to do.” So many problems and possibilities tumbled in his brain, he wasn’t sure he could sleep.

“You didn’t sleep on the flight home and once you reached Otter Creek, you were in bodyguard mode. You’ve been awake for more than 48 hours. Go to bed.”

“Yeah, all right.” Although he hated to admit it, fatigue dragged at him even with the coffee in his system. This tired, he could make a fatal mistake.

Liam placed his Sig within easy reach and stretched out on the couch. A moment later, the living room plunged into twilight as Cade turned off the overhead light.

“I have your back, Liam, and I’ll protect Piper with my life. Let go and rest.”

He closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax for the first time in two days. Three hours later, he roused when Matt and Cade traded places.

“I’ve got this, Liam,” Matt murmured. “I’ll wake you at the first sign of trouble.”

Liam woke to the sound of Piper’s door opening. He glanced at his watch and frowned. Five o’clock. He sat up. “What’s wrong, Piper?”

“Nightmare. Go back to sleep.”

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