Page 87 of Relentless

“The only fingerprints that shouldn’t be in your home came from Jared Spencer. The rest belong to members of Bravo, Durango, and their wives or girlfriends.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Not what I wanted to hear, Z.”

“You’ll like this bit of news even less. Spencer made a play for Delilah.”

Liam stiffened. “Is she all right?”

“She’s fine. Molly was in the back room, putting stock away. She arrived in time to stop him from doing more than scaring Delilah. As soon as Molly appeared, Spencer left Wicks.”

“I need to convince my teammates to go home. They and their families are in danger because of me.”

“Funny. Matt thought you’d say that. He said you should concentrate on ending the threat to Piper. PSI personnel and trainees have the families covered.”

He’d be wasting his breath trying to send his teammates home. They had each other’s backs in firefights and out. Bravo wouldn’t leave Hartman until he and Piper left. “Copper Ridge police have anything else?”

“They still want to charge Simon with murder but can’t. Someone anonymously sent them traffic cam footage showing his journey to the resort, complete with time stamps in the corner. Once the ME confirms time of death, Simon will be off the hook for James’s murder. No question Simon killed the thug after you arrived at the resort and wounded the second one. To this point, the wounded man won’t talk.”

Liam frowned. “He’s not claiming Simon shot him for no reason?”

“That’s right. He also hasn’t lawyered up.”

“Is their crime scene team any good?”

“I don’t know. Why?”

“If they are, the techs should find multiple bullets and shell casings from the two thugs shooting at us. I didn’t fire and Simon fired twice.” Both shots hit their mark.

“Makes your story more viable. Anything else I can do?”

“Did you get the contact information for the members of my military unit?”

“I did. You’ll be disappointed if you get in touch with them, Liam. Spencer did a great job convincing your buddies that you’re responsible for his unjust imprisonment.”

“Thanks for the warning. I’ll call you in six hours.”

Liam took a quick shower. A short time later, he sprawled on top of the covers fully dressed and fell into a light sleep.

He woke three hours later to the sound of a floorboard shifting with a soft squeak. Before the sound disappeared, his hand wrapped around the grip of his Sig. Fabric brushed against a wall.

He waited for the intruder to open his door. He relished the coming confrontation. Perhaps by the end of it, Liam would have answers to lingering questions and Piper would finally be safe.

Instead of entering Liam’s room, the intruder passed by his door. Sliding from bed, Liam moved with soundless steps across the room.

Liam turned the knob, opened the door a crack and checked the hall. Nothing. He frowned. Someone had passed his door. He’d heard the intruder trying and failing to be stealthy. Where was he?

His gaze shifted to Piper’s door. Liam’s eyes narrowed. Her door was ajar. Had Piper left the room? His hand tightened around the grip of his weapon. Holding the gun at his side, Liam crossed the hall to Piper’s room and pushed open the door as a muffled cry came from inside.

A black-clad figure with a mask stood over Piper, hands clamped around her throat. Shoving his weapon into his MOB holster, Liam sped across the room and tackled the man fighting to control Piper’s panicked struggles, forcing him away from her.

He took the intruder to the floor and thumped his head against the hardwood twice. When the man groaned and went motionless, Liam pulled a zip tie from his pocket and cinched his wrists together behind his back.

He stood. “It’s Liam. Are you okay?”

Piper scrambled from the bed and threw herself into his arms.

Liam moved her further away from the downed intruder. “Piper, are you hurt?”

“No.”

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