“I’m with Personal Security International.”
A snort. “That mercenary outfit out of Otter Creek? Bunch of good old boys with peashooters.”
“Shut up, Vince. I did some training at PSI,” said another. “They’re a legitimate outfit, the training arm of Fortress Security.”
“Ma’am, you need to come with me.” The fourth cop reached for Piper. “You’ll be safer in the squad car.”
“I’m not moving from this vehicle.”
“You don’t have a choice.”
Liam’s hands fisted. He turned his face toward the man familiar with PSI. “Tell your buddy to back off. Piper is waiting for one of the PSI medics to arrive to check her.”
“He’ll keep her safe in the squad car.”
“My ride is more reinforced than your state-issued vehicle. What will it hurt to leave her inside for another five minutes?”
A slight nod. “Al, leave her alone. She’s fine.”
Al scowled. “How can you say that? This guy is dangerous.”
“Never to her,” Liam insisted. “Piper and I are dating.”
A blinding smile lit her face at his statement.
Wow. His heart turned over in his chest. Beautiful.
“Is that true, ma’am?” the cop at Piper’s side asked.
“Yes, it is.”
“Help me get him up,” the cop by Liam said.
A moment later, he leaned back against his SUV a few feet from Piper. At least he could better protect her from this position. “Thanks,” he murmured. “I’m Liam McCoy.”
“You’re with Bravo?”
He glanced at the man’s name tag. “That’s right, Colton. I don’t remember training you.”
“Your team was deployed the week I was there. Want to tell me what happened here? We got a call from Otter Creek’s police chief to assist with road blocks to stop a black van involved in a kidnapping.”
“That’s correct.” He explained what he’d found at Wicks.
“How did you know where the van was headed? Did you see the men take her?”
“A friend checked the traffic cams.”
“What happened when you caught up with the van?”
Liam gave him the short version, ending with, “I didn’t have a choice. The kidnapper threatened to kill Piper. He’d already made the decision in his mind.”
“You a mind reader?” Vince snapped.
“I’ve been in this business a long time. Body language and eyes telegraph a wealth of information.”
“What’s your specialty?” Colton asked.
“Sniper.”