Page 81 of Relentless

“Bring our gear inside.” Well, most of his gear. Liam wouldn’t unload his Go bag or the case containing his sniper rifle. Whoever installed the bugs and cameras in their rooms would nose around in their belongings. “Each time we leave the rooms, we’ll have to search them again. If we’re not vigilant, someone will slip in more devices to keep track of us.”

“When should we go after the information Gavin left?”

“Is the information inside a building or outside?”

“It’s in a botanical garden on the outskirts of Hartman. Archer Botanical Garden is one of my favorite places to visit. Gavin and I spent a lot of time there.”

He eyed her. “Have you ever been to the Opryland Hotel in Nashville?”

Piper’s eyes lit. “No, but I’ve heard it’s incredible.”

“The hotel has an atrium you’d enjoy.”

“Maybe we can visit one day.” She smiled. “If we find time to travel between your missions and my job.”

“We’ll make time.” Opryland was the perfect place to spend part of their honeymoon. From there, they’d fly to their ultimate destination. Maybe the Bahamas. He’d think about that.

Liam dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Recognizing her uneasiness, he wrapped his hand around hers and led her from the room. Together, they retrieved part of their gear. “Would you give me a tour of the house and estate?” Liam had studied the schematics Zane unearthed. Didn’t mean the house still matched the schematics. Many homeowners remodeled their living spaces.

“Where do you want to start?”

He glanced out her bedroom window. “Outside while we still have light.”

The minute they walked outside the house, a security guard trailed them. Although Liam kept an eye on the guard, the man stayed twenty feet behind them during their tour.

He listened to Piper talk about changes in the estate since she left home and noted the security measures around the grounds including the placement of guards and security cameras and the hum of an electric fence. To Liam, the estate resembled a prison more than a home and wondered if that was a factor in Piper’s vehemence at living somewhere other than Hartman.

When they returned to the front of the house, the guard waited at the foot of the stairs until they walked inside. “The grounds are beautiful and well-maintained. Your uncle must have a landscape team to keep everything looking so lush and beautiful.”

“He has a team of five who care for the plants and trees and trim the lawn.” She tugged on his hand. “Come on. Let me show you the home I grew up in.”

Piper resumed her running commentary on the changes in the house as they wandered from room to room. Part of her conversation included funny stories about things that happened in different rooms.

Those stories gave him insight into the woman he loved. Love for her uncle was obvious from the affection in her voice when she mentioned him in the stories.

More significant was the role Sophia played in her life. Piper looked on the housekeeper as a beloved aunt, a woman she held in high esteem.

They finished the house tour in the kitchen. When they crossed the threshold, an older woman with salt-and-pepper hair turned from the stove. Her dark eyes lit the moment they saw Piper.

“Welcome home, Piper.” She hurried across the kitchen and embraced Piper, joy in her smile.

“Thank you, Sophia. It’s good to see you again.”

Her gaze dropped to Piper’s mouth and her smile faded. “What happened?” She turned accusing eyes toward Liam.

Piper patted Sophia’s arm. “Not his doing. A little accident. It’s a long story. I’ll be fine in a few days.”

The woman released Piper and turned to Liam. “Introduce me to your friend.”

“This is Liam.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Sophia. Piper’s been telling me how much she misses you.”

The housekeeper teared up. “Oh, Piper. You shouldn’t have stayed away so long.”

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