Page 77 of Relentless

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Piper glanced around the gas station on the outskirts of Amaretto. From here, the rest of Bravo would travel to the lodge and unload their luggage while she and Liam continued to Hartman.

Seeing Liam’s teammates in the rearview mirror the past few hours had been a comfort. The team would still be near, but not close enough to dispel her fear for Liam’s safety.

Liam walked from the convenience store with bottles of water in one hand and snack food in the other. He climbed into the driver’s seat, deposited drinks in the cup holders and handed Piper the snacks. “I bought several things. Hopefully, one of them will appeal to you.” He slid her a pointed look. “You aren’t eating enough.”

She seized a pack of salted peanuts. “This is perfect. Thank you, Liam.”

He squeezed her knee and started the engine. “You ready?”

“Would it matter if I said I wasn’t?”

He glanced at her, concern in the depths of his eyes. “Your uncle isn’t expecting us today. We could go with Bravo to the lodge for tonight. I’ll introduce you to Brody and his team.”

Delaying the inevitable was tempting. But she wanted an end to this nightmare. The only way to accomplish that goal was to locate Gavin’s information and go straight to the feds. Liam and his friends must know government agents who would take the information and use it against Barone. The part of her wanting to end this and move on to the next phase in her life was stronger than the part hoping to hide for a few more hours.

“I wish. I have to know who’s behind the attempts to kidnap and kill me. The attacks won’t stop until we bring the person to justice.” What if Barone’s henchmen wanted revenge? This nightmare might never end.

Piper shoved that thought behind a thick wall in her mind. She and Liam would find a way to end the threat. No other outcome was acceptable. Piper wanted a life with Liam in Otter Creek. She didn’t want to look over her shoulder the rest of her life, expecting a hit man with orders to snuff out her life or those of her children.

Grim determination filled her. No one had the right to threaten her or her family. Going to Hartman was the next step in shutting down the danger to her, Liam, and their future children.

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “All right. Let’s do this.” After a short conversation with Trent and a promise to report in two hours, Liam drove from the gas station and traveled the final few miles to Hartman.

The closer they drove to her hometown, the more Piper’s stomach knotted.

“We’ll be okay, Sunshine.” Liam threaded his fingers through hers. “I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

“I’m not worried about that.”

He glanced at her, skepticism in his eyes.

“Okay, that’s not my only concern. I’m more concerned for your safety than mine. You will step into the line of fire to protect me.”

“We have backup, but we can’t mention that my teammates are near to anyone. We have to act as though we’re alone. Otherwise, Bravo and Texas lose the advantage. Act as though you have all the confidence in the world. After all, you’re here because at your uncle’s request. At the moment, no one knows Gavin’s clue led you here.”

“They’ll figure it out.”

“The trick is to stay several steps ahead of them and be out of their reach by the time they figure out what we’re doing.”

“Sounds simple. Why do I think achieving that goal will be harder than it sounds?”

Laughter rumbled from his chest. “Probably Because you’re as smart as you are beautiful. Remember what I told you about mission planning?”

“Have backup plans. A lot of them.”

“Right. The reason is things always go wrong.”

She hoped the mission went according to plan this time.

Fifteen minutes later, Liam stopped at the black wrought-iron gates. A security guard swaggered up and motioned for Liam to roll down his window.

“Got an appointment?” The guard’s eyes narrowed when he saw Piper. “Do I know you?”

“We’ve never met.” Of that, she was sure. This man’s eyes were as cold as a snake’s.

“Mr. Romano is expecting us,” Liam said. “I’m Liam and this is his niece, Piper.”

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