Page 77 of Be Courageous

“Well, I also knew because Higgins and I set it up.” Drake had the grace to look chagrined. “I know you don’t trust WITSEC to protect McKenzie, but what happened to her was our doing.”

Miles divided a frown between the two men. “Explain.”

Higgins answered first. “Over the past month, we called you a couple of times from Myrtle Beach, using McKenzie’s number and then hanging up.”

And here Miles had thought it was her calling him.

“At the same time, we kept a close eye on her, figuring Centurions might show up looking for her. And sure enough, they did.”

Indignant, Miles turned toward his father. “You knew all this when I called you for help last night. That’s why you flew me down here. Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“Because you had your phone on you the entire time. I didn’t want Sauers overhearing that I was on to him.”

Good point. Miles closed his mouth.

“Don’t blame your father.” Higgins took off his sunglasses, revealing bright-blue eyes. “It’s my fault our plan took a wrong turn.” He nodded at McKenzie. “I should’ve explained to you what we were up to. That way you would have stayed put in the safe room.”

McKenzie curled her small hands into fists. “Why didn’t you?”

Miles covered her hands with one of his and squeezed them, resentful that they’d both been played. “Because they used you as bait, McKenzie.”

Higgins briefly closed his eyes. “Okay. That’s true in a way, but if you’d stayed in your safe room like I told you to, you’d have been fine. I would have explained everything when I came to collect you. My men and I were right outside, putting a tracker on their van.” His blue eyes swiveled toward Miles. “The minute the intruders left, we went inside to free McKenzie from the safe room, only she’d somehow slipped right past us.”

Miles couldn’t believe they’d be so careless. “What if Centurions had grabbed her before she went into the closet? What if they’d shot and killed her on sight?”

Higgins rolled his eyes. “That’s what the alarm was for. She had plenty of warning.”

With much to think about, Miles rubbed his forehead while stroking McKenzie’s knuckles. At least the so-called leak in WITSEC wasn’t a real concern. It was his cell phone that had been compromised, betraying McKenzie’s location. Now that his phone was gone, she would be safe again.

With a soft whimper, she dropped her head onto Miles’s shoulder. “I don’t want to go back into protection.”

“It won’t be for long, McKenzie.” Drake’s tone softened as he reassured her. “We’re this close to nailing Sauers.”

Miles searched his father’s confident expression. “You sure you have enough evidence to convict him?”

“Probably.”

Miles felt his agitation rising. “How do we know Sauers isn’t slipping out of the country as we speak? He knows you flew me down here. He’s got to be worried at this juncture.”

Dad patted his cell phone. “Because his wife hasn’t called me yet.”

Miles’s eyebrows shot up. “His wife is in on this?”

“She’s our lead witness.” His father’s confident smile faded. “But you make a valid point. He’s bound to be antsy, so I need to get back. Let’s head to the airfield.”

In other words, it was time to relinquish McKenzie to the U.S. Marshal. Miles tightened his hold on her, every cell in his body protesting.

Higgins started to stand. “She’ll be safe.”

Miles sent him a hard stare. “You’ll answer to me if anything happens to her.”

Higgins inclined his head in acknowledgment.

Dad also pushed to his feet. “Let’s give them a minute.” He ushered Higgins out of the room ahead of him, leaving the door cracked.

With his heart in a vise, Miles stood, pulling McKenzie up next to him so he could gaze into her eyes one last time. “This isn’t what I wanted, Angel.” He could barely speak through his constricted throat.

“I know.” She raised both hands to frame his face. “And it’s better for you this way.”

---