Page 68 of Point of Contact

And while he still wasn't completely on board with everything Alaskan Security did, the perception he had of his own position there had changed a little. Things no longer seemed so black-and-white. So clear-cut. Being around Courtney showed him there were shades of gray he'd never accounted for. Never considered.

He waited as Pierce situated himself on the sofa, carefully laying his daughter belly-down on a blanket spread across the floor. The baby immediately popped her head up like a turtle and started grabbing at the assortment of objects stitched to the mat beneath her.

Kids were another thing he hadn't considered. They suddenly seemed to be everywhere, but not once had he wondered what it might be like to have one of his own. So focused on taking care of his father, he hadn't given a single thought to the possibility of becoming one.

Pierce got the baby settled then glanced his way. "Zeke said he ran into you as you came in. How much was he able to fill you in on?"

"Not much. Just that some things had happened while I was gone and that someone blew up one of our cabins." Reed continued watching the baby, transfixed by the intense way she worked the flaps and rings. "I told him once I was settled I would go to the location and see what I could find."

He was more familiar with the area than most. Many of his teammates had more experience in some of the more dangerous parts of their job, but he carried the most skill in tracking. He knew the area like the back of his hand courtesy of years spent hunting with his father. He knew the best routes to take on foot and the areas to avoid, making it possible for him to determine where others had likely gone.

Pierce nodded. "That is an excellent idea." He paused, eyes holding Reed’s. "But I'm sure you would like to pay your parents a visit first."

Reed narrowed his gaze. "What do you mean by that?" He worked hard to keep his private life just that. Private. While he was happy to spend time with his teammates, none of them had ever met his family. Not just because he didn't want people looking at his father with pity, but also because he didn't want his parents to discover what he'd given up to help them. That he sacrificed his own ethics to ensure his father's well-being.

But, like so much else, he wasn't as convinced that was exactly the case. Not anymore.

"You know I do thorough background checks on everyone I employ, Reed. Did you honestly believe I wasn't aware of your father's situation?" Pierce leaned back, continuing to keep one eye on the little girl at his feet. "Why did you think you were the first one I approached about the trip to Florida? I knew you were the one who would benefit the most from the extra income."

Reed huffed out a disbelieving laugh, a little surprised at his own blind spot. "I assumed it was because I'm the only one who's unattached." He shook his head, dropping his eyes to his lap. "You know this is none of your business, right?"

"I do. That's why I haven't brought it up until now. But it seems relevant to this situation." Pierce paused, waiting until Reed looked his way. "You know I will help in any way I can. If your father's medical needs ever become too much, there's always space for your parents here."

Reed worked his jaw from side to side, trying to ease the tension beginning to collect there. Deep down, he’d always resented Pierce. Hated him for presenting an opportunity that forced him to make a decision he struggled with every day. But, like his aggravation with Courtney, maybe he was once again being unfair. Putting his own guilt where it didn't belong.

Because at the end of the day, he was the one who chose to come work for Alaskan Security. He was the one who walked away from the law enforcement career he'd always wanted. He was the one who decided caring for his father was worth any price.

Except he hadn't acted like that was true.

Reed tipped his head. "I'll keep that in mind." He tapped one finger against the arm of the chair before adding on, "Thank you for the offer." It was a blanket statement, even if Pierce didn't know it.

"Of course." Pierce's eyes dipped to his daughter. "Family is the most important thing."

"It is." Even as he agreed, his stomach clenched.

Courtney didn't have a family. Never had. She'd always been alone, her only companions bought and paid for in some way or another.

"If you're sure I'm not needed immediately at the cabin site, I think I’ll take tomorrow morning to check in on my parents." He wanted to see them. Make sure they had everything they needed. That his father was doing as well as he claimed on the phone.

But his visit had a bigger purpose. One that didn't feel as rushed as it should.

"Of course. I spoke with Zeke and he has a few leads, so hopefully he's able to determine what exactly happened." Pierce's posture stiffened the tiniest bit. "Quite a bit has happened while you've been gone."

Reed forced his attention to the reason for the visit. Staying focused was always critical, and suddenly felt even more important than it had before. "What's going on?"

Pierce took a deep breath before blowing it back out. "It would appear someone is fucking with us." His words were tight and clipped. "A number of our safehouses have been identified and accessed at some point or another, whether it’s cameras being disabled or perimeters being breached. A few have had the power cut. At another, the gas line was disabled."

It was such an odd form of attack and served no purpose outside of making things difficult. "Was anyone in them?"

Pierce shook his head. "We aren't currently harboring anyone, thankfully." He scrubbed one hand down his face, and for the first time, Reed noticed how tired Pierce looked. "And then there's the sudden reappearance of Eloise’s vehicle and the Jeep Nate was driving the night they were stranded."

Reed's brows lifted. "Sudden reappearance? Where?"

"One was delivered practically to the front gate, parked just outside of any camera’s reach, so there was no way to determine who left it." Pierce ran his tongue across his teeth before sucking it free. "The other was parked in the garage at Eloise’s old apartment. It was found when the complex manager did their final walk-through after she officially moved out."

"It wasinsidethe garage?" His brain started running through the list of things that would've had to be done to accomplish that. "Let me guess. Nothing was caught on camera."

Pierce pointed his direction. "Correct."

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