Page 53 of Desire Me
Dain was nodding.
“Groups that far north tend to focus on centralized locations,” Remi agreed, “taking over towns or counties, concentrating on port areas that allow for easy transport of a heavy volume of goods.”
“Transport?” Rae asked, voice strangled. She looked to Dain. “My business is a shipping and storage warehouse, you said.”
“Makes sense that the connection would be your business,” Dain agreed. “Maybe you stumbled onto something suspicious, found something you shouldn’t have.”
“But why run?” Leah asked. “Why not go to the police?”
“Maybe the local police are involved?” Elliot asked.
Rae looked like she was about to be sick. “Or maybe my family was involved.”
“You remember?” Remi asked sharply.
“No.” Rae’s gaze was fixated on the photo, but Saint got the sense that she wasn’t really seeing it; she was focused inward, searching. “No, but it makes sense. Why would I leave everything behind instead of going for help? Because getting help could mean hurting someone, risking someone I loved.” Her eyes met Saint’s for the first time since they’d sat. “You said my uncle was covering up my disappearance.”
“We don’t know that for certain, cariño,” he said, wishing he believed his own words.
“But you think it’s true. Maybe I was trying to keep him out of trouble. Lose him or lose my entire life?” She shrugged. “I don’t remember everything yet, but I think I remember enough of myself to know I’d do anything to protect the people I love. Or at least I hope so.”
He didn’t have a lifetime of memories of Rae either, but he had no doubt she’d sacrifice for her family. Thinking about her circumstances, about the fact that she’d given up everything to remain in hiding, he couldn’t help the anger rising inside him—anger at whoever had put her in this situation, put her life at risk.
Family or not, he’d definitely like to meet them in a dark alley. But he’d start with their first prospect.
He indicated the photo. “You said you know his identity.”
“Casey Lonergan. Works with a well-known crew along the Maine coast.”
“But you’ve found him here.” It was a statement, not a question. Saint felt the urge to move, to go find this guy and beat some answers out of him, rise like an itch beneath his skin. “When do we leave?”
“If you have someplace we can plan,” Remi said, “I’ve got intel in the car. Let’s put our heads together and figure it out.”
They spent the next couple of hours going over the blueprints for the house Eli Agozi had pinpointed as the home base for Lonergan’s crew. Remi’s brother had even done a drive-by and taken photos of the four men at the location, one of whom was their hospital visitor, Lonergan. None of the other faces were familiar to Saint, but Eli had information that pointed to the likelihood that at least two of the remaining three men were local.
Once they had a solid plan, Saint went to find Rae and Leah. The two women were seated at the small eat-in table off the kitchen, sharing iced tea and the view of the backyard. Their voices were lowered, keeping their conversation private, and cut off completely as he approached. He chose to ignore the pang of regret and headed straight for Rae.
“I need to speak to you”—he eyed Leah warily—“alone.”
“I don’t think—” Rae began, but Leah rose from her chair, a hand stopping Rae midsentence.
“I think that’s probably a good idea.”
Rae watched her friend leave the kitchen, betrayal in her eyes. Saint sank into the chair beside hers.
“Elliot will be staying here with you and Leah while we’re gone.”
Rae traced a finger through the condensation coating her glass. “Thought she could keep up with the big boys.”
“Don’t take what’s between us out on my team.”
“How can I not, Saint?”
He sighed. “I know you don’t trust me right now—”
“You mean ever.”
He ignored that. “But I would never risk your safety. Elliot stays because she is fully capable of protecting you both, without backup. We need all hands available in the field.” Being on your enemies’ turf could turn even simple surveillance volatile in a heartbeat, and they were planning to do far more than just look. “We’ll be back as soon as we can, definitely before dark.”
