Page 4 of Dangerous Lies

“Is that how you great everyone that comes to your door?” the sexy man asked.

She let out a frustrated sigh, knowing she would have to listen to his sales pitch. When she looked closer, shenoticedhe had a black and blue eye and bruising on his arm. Her sister's words floated through her mind:don't trust anyone.

Too bad she didn't remember those words before she’d opened the door to a man who might tackle her to the ground. She imagined him on top of her, but in a sexy way. Damnit. She'd lost her mind.

“I have togetready for work and I can guarantee I won't buy anything you are selling, so you don't have to bother with your pitch. Especially if you plan to kill bugs, then I recommend you leave my doorstep.”

Her fascination with insects had led her to her current career path. Growing up, Brittany never understood why Rose would spend hours searching for bugs and analyzing them. Rose didn't understandit at times herself, butitbecame a hobby that led her to being around dead animals. When she lived on the streets, her friend Aden would bring her books on bugs which furthered her interest and made her look for jobs where she could find bugs.

A crime scene cleanup company was at her senior year career fair. One the guys working the booth asked if bugs bothered her. The second the words left his mouth, she had an idea for a career path.That night, she went home and researched Crime Scene cleanup jobs. In the beginning, she worked for other companies, but seven years ago, she opened Crime, Clean, and Disinfectant.

“Sorry to disappoint you, ma'am, but I'm not here to sell you anything. I'm here to discuss Brittany.”

Brittany had hired someone to erase every proof they were sisters and anything that ever linked them. Seth, her sister’s husband’s, had a design that was leaked on the black market ten years ago when Rose graduated high school. From the conversations she heard over breakfast Seth was designing a state-of-the-art honing device. It would reach the coordinates within a millimeter no matter the weather. Rose had always cared for her sister, but Brittany was into something she didn't understand. Then Seth disappeared, and Brittany spent years searching for him. In seven years, she onlysawher three times. According to Brittany,itwas best if people neversawthem together.

Now a man claimed toknowher.

“Sorry, you have the wrong house. I don'tknowanyone by the name of Brittany.” Rose shoved at his foot, butitdidn't move. God, she wished she hadn't left her phone upstairs. “Please leave, sir.”

The man let out an aggravated sigh and pulled out a flip phone. She didn't even think any companies made those anymore.

He pressed a couple of buttons before raising the phone to his ear. “She won't let me in.”

He rolled his eyes at something the person on the other end said, butitwasn't loud enough for her to catch.

“Sorry I had to heal before Iattempted to protect someone. I was close to dead the day we parted. Be happy I'm here now...Yes, Iknow.I'll destroy the phone. You do realize I was a Green Beret, then proceeded to endure BUD/s, and spent time with the CIA.” He paused. “She won't let me in. Even if she does, I'm not sure I want to step into the house. She has ahazmatsuit on. You sent me to be a crazy woman's bodyguard.”

He grumbled something as he held the phone out to her.

Not sureif itwas the best decision, Rose grabbedthe cell phoneand presseditto her ear. “Hello?”

“Rosaline.” Brittany's voice caught her off guard. She wasn't sure the last time she hadheardfrom her. “Let Ginger into your house, and then I'll talk more. Don't leave him outside.”

She stared at the man before she pushed the door open. The man stepped in like he owned her house, that was when shenoticedthe black bag in his hand.

“What the hell is going on, Brit?”

Her sister sighed. “IknowI have no right to ask. You've done more for me than Icouldever imagine. I'm close, and I found information that makes me believe Carterknowsabout you. Ginger is going to stand guard until I can find Seth.”

Therewas so much hope in her sister's voice. On the other hand, Rose had seen enough crime scenes toknowthat her brother-in-law was probably dead, and her sister was chasing a ghost. The favor she did for her sister six years ago she would do a million times over. Brit didn't understand how that one favor changed Rose’s life for the better.

“I have a security system. I don't need a bodyguard.” She eyed the man who had taken over her house. He had a damn wand in his hand and was wavingitaround. “I don't have bugs.”

Brittany laughed on the other end. “I bet you have more bugs in your house than anybody on the planet.”

“Not funny. I meant listening bugs. This guy seems like a little too much, sis.”

He stopped and winked at her before he started waving the black wand around her house again. Without any hesitation, he bounded right up the stairs of her house.

“He’s so…”

“Sexy?” Brit asked.

Her cheeks burned like she'd stepped into the desert sun, but being a redhead, she avoided the sun as much as possible because her face would fill with freckles. The black hair dye helped cover up her fire-red hair.

“What? No.”

Brit's laughter filled the phone, and Rose paused. Her sister had actually laughed. All the calls they’d had over the last few years were so grave she’d almost forgotten whatitwas like tohearher laugh.

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