Page 26 of Last Resort

“I agree,” Weston said into the comm unit. He was positioned at the staff entrance near the back of the building. “There’s something we’re missing. Guy is ahead of us.”

There’d been nothing at each event, nothing as they followed Rich each night as he drove Maci back to Stella’s apartment, and nothing as she stayed there for a couple hours before sneaking out a private basement entrance to go home.

Even worse than the nothing was the strain the situation was putting on Maci. Each time, as the hours wound down, she was slower to move, her smile a little less bright. By the end, she was exhausted and nearly weaving on her feet despite being completely sober.

Chance had had enough. “Maci’s done,” he said into the private channel only his brothers could hear. “Let’s call it.”

“Roger that,” Weston responded. “I’ll go make sure the apartment is clear.”

Chance could hear the exhaustion plain in his brother’s voice too, so he made a decision for them all.

“No, you all head home and get some rest once we get Maci to the car. I’m going to let her go home rather than go to Stella’s apartment. Luring him out isn’t working, so tomorrow we need to figure out a new plan.”

None of his brothers argued. They all knew this wasn’t working the way they’d hoped.

“Call if you need anything,” Luke said. “We won’t be far.”

Chance switched over to the channel Maci could hear. “Maci, we’re calling it quits for tonight.”

On the screen, he watched her turn discreetly so she could talk to him without anyone noticing. “We’re heading back to the apartment?”

“No. For whatever reason, this method isn’t working. I’m going to take you home. Everyone needs a good night’s sleep.”

He watched her rub her eyes. “I feel like I let you down.”

“No, don’t say that. You’ve been a stellar Stella.”

He watched the corners of her mouth turn up at his horrible joke. “I wish it would’ve worked.”

“Don’t worry. We’re going to get him. You and Rich start to move toward the car.”

Brax agreed to stay and watch until the end of the event and oversee packing up all equipment. Chance met Rich and Maci in the parking garage. Maci was already inside the car.

“Giving up?” Rich asked.

Chance narrowed his eyes. “Maybe for tonight. No use beating a dead horse.”

Rich’s smile was full of charm. “I try not to get beat ever. Let me know what the next step in the plan is.”

Chance watched Rich saunter away before getting in the driver’s seat of the car. He looked over to ask Maci how she was doing.

She was fast asleep, cheek leaning heavily against the door. He stared at her for a long moment. They’d definitely made the right choice by ending early tonight. Enough was enough.

Chance didn’t drive fast. Maci needed the sleep and at least here he got to be close to her. She was still keeping secrets he wanted to get to the root of. Maybe if she wasn’t actively part of the investigation he could focus on that—something he’d been thinking about since that last day of training.

But maybe instead of trying to crash through her walls, he needed to try togentlehis way through them. Not his strong suit, but he would try. She was worth trying that for.

They were only a few minutes from the party when Chance noticed a car that seemed to be following them. Not wanting to wake Maci without reason, he took a roundabout way that led them back toward Stella’s apartment. If someone was following them, that’s where they’d expect the car to be going.

At a red light, Chance made a last-minute turn, hoping the car would simply drive on.

It followed.

Nerves prickling at the back of his neck, he continued to drive around in a circle. Each turn he made, the car did too.

Definitely following.

“Maci. Maci, wake up.”

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