Page 28 of Guarding Bristol

Individual confirmed to be nosing around in the area.People might have talked.

A second later, two names appeared, and then two photos.

The photos were the signal that they had been confirmed as targets.

“What is it?”Liana asked tiredly.

“Work.”He leaned over, dropped a kiss on her lips.“I need to head out for a bit.Want me to call someone to come over until I get back?”One of their neighbors was a big help when he couldn’t be here.

“No.I’m just gonna sleep,” she mumbled.

“Okay.Sleep well.I’ll be back before you know it.”He kissed her again before straightening.

“Be safe.”

“I will.”He eased the bedroom door shut.Double checked that all the windows and doors were locked, and the alarm set on his way out.

On the back step, he paused to study the names and pictures again, along with the addresses listed.

He didn’t see people when he studied the pictures.He saw features of targets to be eliminated, and how much money each job would transfer into his account.Seventy-five thousand each.The most he’d made yet.The boss wanted this leak fixed bad.

At this rate, he would have the money for a clinical trial spot in a few more months.

He glanced in the rearview mirror at their house as he drove away.Thought of Liana curled up alone in their bed, fighting to put on a brave face in front of him while praying for more time, for the symptoms to recede enough that her quality of life would improve even a little.

She was counting on him to get her a spot in the trial program.

He focused back on the road, mentally switching into hunter mode.Time was running out for them both.He had to get the remaining funds they needed and then get the hell out of this toxic web before the clock hit zero.

Chapter Ten

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Athick carpet of cedarneedles covering the ground cushioned the soles of TJ’s boots as he crept through the wooded area, each step releasing their spicy fragrance into the warm night air.Up ahead through the tall trees, the lights surrounding the hospital parking lot came on right on cue.

He stopped just inside the screen of trees at the top of the bank and crouched down in the shadows, balancing his weight on one knee while he used his phone camera to survey this side of the hospital.Every night this past week after work, he’d taken the bus up here to do recon of the property.Watching the comings and goings.Figuring out the security and delivery routine, taking note of the timings, plus all the security camera positions and their approximate areas of coverage.

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