Page 63 of The Savior

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Anger, skepticism, heartache, and fatigue cycled through Chelsea’s thoughts. What was this madness?Black ops gone bad?

“Well?” she pushed. But she wasn’t sure what she wanted him to explain.

He pushed a hand into his hair. “This is why I need your help.”

She couldn’t tell if he was nuts or up creek, without a paddle, and then she remembered the mysterious package and the man on the porch who Liam had left with. Chelsea nodded, urging him to continue.

“I know this sounds…”

“We both know how this sounds,” she said, mentally pulling herself into a Marshal mind frame. “Forget that, and tell me what you need in order to keep Linda and Frank safe.” She’d figure next steps, like lovingly securing him a psych hold or biting the bullet to loop in Mac, later.

“I don’t have the manpower to keep an eye on the Nymans twenty-four hours a day.”

Worry needled. “Who’s watching them now?”

“Someone I contract with.”

That wasn’t good enough. She narrowed her eyes.

“His name is Chance.” Liam’s lips flattened. “That’s about all I can share—that, and he hooked me up with some equipment. I’ll have my hands on it in a few days.”

She still wasn’t convinced and crossed her arms.

“Look—” He shifted uncomfortably. “If you help me with the Nymans, we’ll catch Julia’s murderer. It’s all tied together.”

“Why didn’t you just say that?” That is, if what he said was credible.

“Because Ican’t.”

And if there was truth to his beliefs… “I can help with—”With what?She didn’t know any details.

“Recon and surveillance isn’t the same thing.”

“I know.”

“Surveillance isn’t my forte.” Liam seemed disappointed. “I’m good at what I do, and I’m smart enough to know this can’t be my first surveillance-planning job.”

“That’smyforte.”

“I thought so.”

She inched forward. “I have paid time off, at least for now, I’ll give you that.”

“I can’t answer much more than I shared already.”

Chelsea gripped his forearm. “No more questions asked. As long as we keep the Nymans safe and help facilitate an arrest.”

“Deal.” Liam covered her hand with his and squeezed.

She flushed. His lingering touch brought to light the problem that she’d forgotten for only a few minutes: Liam electrified her.

She jerked her hand back then chanced a quick glance up. Liam knew why she’d pulled away. He had to. But he didn’t say a word about the obvious.

They were still far too close together. His body heat made her nervous, but she didn’t move away. His eyes dropped to her mouth, and her heart jumped.

Apparently though, heart palpitations were enough to make her move. Chelsea scooted, and he chuckled.

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