Page 35 of Be Very Quiet

And he had, killing women close to where she lived now.

Luca clamped his hands around her arms and rubbed, not even caring that his coworkers were a few feet away. “I’m sorry. That had to be traumatic.”

“It was for a minute, but I’m fine now.”

“I’ll have a little talk with him.” And beat the shit out of him for daring to touch Liliana.

“That’s unnecessary. I asked him not to do it again.”

“How long has he been working for you?” Christian asked.

“About a month. Rutger—the man who taught me self-defense and oversees the martial arts instructors—recommended him, and I approved the hire.”

“We need to talk to him.”

“He teaches tomorrow, so you can speak with him in the morning.”

“Good.”

“I’m starving, but I don’t feel like cooking. Pizza sound good to everyone?” At their approval, she added, “I do have ingredients for a salad.”

“I’ll help chop veggies,” Audria offered.

“I’ll need to call Detective Torres after we eat to let him know about the second envelope,” Luca warned them. That meant the FBI would be notified as well. Audria had been apologetic when she’d returned from dropping off the first package, but it wasn’t her fault the FBI was involved. Luca knew it was only a matter of time.

Frankly, he wasn’t sure how long he could hold them off from questioning Liliana. He understood their insistence and would’ve wanted the same thing in their shoes. But he wasn’t, and this was Liliana. He would protect her or die trying.

“First, I want to get the equipment placed outside.”

With Christian’s help, he secured microscopic cameras facing both Liliana’s door and the one across the hall. Liliana was against the idea of adding any inside her fitness center, and since someone would be with her the entire time, they weren’t necessarily needed. Still, Luca would place one facing the entry to monitor who came and went. Again, he didn’t think the person would try to leave another package for her, but it was better to be prepared.

“Since the perp has been to Liliana’s apartment and knows where she lives, maybe you two should stay in the rented condo,” Christian advised. “Audria and I will take turns staying at her place.”

Luca thought about it, and it made sense. “Good idea.” He didn’t think Rader was careless enough to return, but there was no way to know what went on inside the twisted mind of a madman.

#

Audria was busy chopping peppers when her phone started playing a song, and she almost sliced off her finger. It was the ringtone she’d set for Reese Reneau.

She placed the knife down and wiped her hands on a towel. “I need to take this.”

“I’ll take over,” Christian said, having returned with Luca from positioning cameras outside. He picked up the knife and started slicing vegetables like an iron chef. Huh. Who knew?

Audria walked to the balcony overlooking the busy street and more apartments across the way. It was a shame to live so close to the ocean and not be able to see it. “SSA Reneau.”

“Audria, open the door.”

She spun around. “What? Why?”

“Because I’m standing outside right now.”

“How do you know where I am?” she whispered furiously. “You had me followed?”

“Don’t be so dramatic, Audria. I pulled Ms. Lima’s address.”

Of course. He was FBI. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do. Crap on a cracker. Luca would have a coronary. “Give me a minute.”

“No—”

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