Page 9 of Second Chance Savior

He licked his lips. Took off the glasses. “Assassination.”

“What?” Chills washed over me. I looked at the closed blinds over my windows, my locked door. As if someone would burst in. But everything remained quiet. “I’m just the lieutenant governor. Why would someone…”

“I’m still trying to figure that out. Are you familiar with the organization Stillwater?”

I sat forward. “I read that article about them. I’ve been trying to learn more, but?—”

“You don’t have any direct connection to Stillwater?” He frowned, scrutinizing me.

“Of course not. Why on earth would I?”

“No dark secrets to confess?”

“What thehell, River? No.”

His frown smoothed out. He seemed pacified by my answer. ButIwasn’t satisfied. Not even close.

“Are you still with the Agency?” I asked. “Is that how you got the information about this so-called threat?” River had left the Navy to join the CIA when Ross and I were still together. He’d never been explicit about his work, but we’d guessed.

“I left at the end of last year. I’m a private citizen now. But I’m still in the intelligence business, so to speak. I have my ways. Stillwater issued a bounty against you today on the dark web.”

“A bounty. To assassinate me.” I rubbed the skin between my eyes. “Please tell me this is some prank or a joke.”

“I have an odd sense of humor. But I wouldn’t joke about a threat against your life. You know that.”

I know that?This wasn’t funny, but I did almost laugh.

“Just wait for me, Charlie. It’ll all make sense when I get there. In the meantime, I’ll send an ex-SEAL friend of mine to watch your building, and?—”

“No.”

I was surprised by the vehemence of my own voice in the otherwise quiet apartment.

River’s eyes narrowed slightly. “No? To which part?”

“All of it. I haven’t heard from you in years. You’ve made it clear plenty of times that I don’t matter to you. Then you suddenly claim I’m in danger with no explanation except that I’m supposed to trust you. And you expect me to do whatever you say?”

Wait for me.How many times in my life had I waited for River to show up for me, only for him not to show at all?

He opened his mouth to speak. I beat him to it.

“I have no idea what this is really about,” I said. “If you’re aware of a threat, call the FBI. That’s what I intend to do so I can get the answers you refuse to give me. But I amnotgoing to sit here like a helpless damsel and wait for you to rescue me.”

With that, I ended our chat. River immediately tried to call back, but I didn’t answer.

I was so furious, I was shaking.

I’d known the man for well over twenty years. He was still a mystery. An impossible, infuriating puzzle that I couldn’t solve. But I’d given up trying a long time ago.

Eighteen Years Ago

Mom turned into the last curve of the driveway, and I groaned at what I saw. Dad’s truck was already parked in front of the house.

From the backseat, cheers erupted. “River and Ross are here!” my sisters chanted.

“They weren’t supposed to get here until later,” I grumbled.

Mom shrugged. “The boys were able to take an earlier flight. Dad zipped off to get them. Must’ve made great time on the drive back.”

---