Page 78 of Relentless

A grunt. “Wait here.” He lumbered off a few feet and pressed his cell phone to his ear, gaze locked on Liam and Piper.

“Uncle Gino won’t be happy we didn’t give him some warning.”

“Why? He ordered you to come home.”

“He doesn’t like surprises, including surprise visits.”

“To have you here, Gino will deal.”

What did her uncle want? He’d maintained silence for three years, displeased with her for refusing to marry Gavin. Did the attempts on her life have anything to do with why he wanted her in Hartman now?

Her heart skipped a beat. Maybe she and Liam had looked for the culprit behind her problems in the wrong place. Was Gino to blame? He had the money. Motivation? When he realized Gavin was dead, his motivation would disappear.

If her uncle set up the attacks, she was taking Liam into the heart of danger by staying in Gino’s home.

The guard returned. “You’ll be met at the front door and escorted inside.”

“If I park in front of the house, my SUV will stay there. No one drives my vehicle except me.”

Another narrow-eyed look. “Drive to the front door.” He retraced his steps to the guard shack and pressed a button. The black gates opened inward.

“I’m not impressed with the security.”

She frowned. “Why not?” When she was growing up, the guards were everywhere, watching each move she made. Her uncle had bragged to his friends about his top-notch security team.

“The guard didn’t ask for identification or demand to search us and the vehicle for weapons.”

“Would you have let him search us?”

“Not a chance. The point is he didn’t insist. If your uncle is innocent of wrong doing, he needs better security to keep him safe.”

Piper smiled. “Should be an interesting conversation. He thinks he knows best about everything.”

“That’s what I wanted to see.”

She blinked. “What?”

“Your beautiful smile.” Liam parked at the front steps, turned off the engine, and came around to open Piper’s door. Leaning in, Liam kissed her.

When he eased back, Liam tucked her hair behind one ear. “Remember that we’re on stage.”

“Even in our rooms?”

“Until I determine if cameras or bugs are in the rooms, yes. No matter what happens, know that I love you, Piper.”

Tears stung her eyes. “I love you, too.”

Liam hugged her, muscular body shielding her from the view of others interested in their arrival. “Don’t cry. Your uncle will think the tears are my fault.”

His gentle teasing brought a smile to her lips. She wrapped her arms around him and leaned in to nuzzle his neck. “How do we approach this?” Her uncle’s security cameras were positioned to track visitors approaching the house. Although Piper didn’t remember the security people having the ability to read lips, Gino’s had new guards now. One of them might have the lip-reading skill.

“You’re here because Romano asked you to come home. When we search for Gavin’s information, we’ll tell people you want to show me your hometown and introduce me to your friends.” He kissed her temple. “We have an audience.”

Piper looked toward the front door. Two guards watched them, their jackets open to reveal guns in holsters at their hips. Her uncle waited at the top of the stairs, a frown marring his handsome face. Uncle Gino was not happy with her. Nothing had changed.

“We should go before Uncle Gino grows more irritated.” She released her hold on his neck. “Thank you for coming with me.”

“I wouldn’t let you do this without me.” He helped her from the SUV. After locking his vehicle, Liam laid his hand at the small of her back.

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