Page 36 of Moonlit Hideaway
Liam shrugged nonchalantly. “Not much happening here, huh? How many more days of work do you have for me?”
“Weatherproofing the place. The new siding needs a paint job, and then there’s the picket fence. Maybe repaving the parking lot.” Hank tallied up the work. “About a week. Thinking of moving on?”
Liam nodded. “This island’s a bit dull. No nightlife, no… excitement.”
“Not during the off-season.” Hank had to restrain himself from smiling at the thought that he’d be singing the same tune if Sierra hadn’t dropped into his lap.
“You got lucky with Jane, didn’t you? Picked her up from up north?”
“Something like that.” Hank averted his gaze to roll up his toolbelt.
“How long is she staying?”
That wasn’t any of Liam’s business, but he understood. The man was lonely, and most people on the island already had their friendship groups.
“If you want to meet some townsfolks, we’re having a planning meeting for Harvestfest. Most of the merchants will be there. Teachers from the high school and, of course, the mayor and town council. Who knows, you might meet someone fun.”
“Is Jane going to Harvestfest? Maybe she’s got friends to introduce?”
“Jane’s not from around here.” Hank bit back his irritation.
Liam’s eyes lingered a moment too long, a hint of something unreadable in his gaze. “You don’t know much about her, do you?”
A shot of adrenaline spiked through Hank’s gut. He eyed Liam, a growing unease settling in his chest. “What do you mean by that?”
Liam leaned against the wall, a shadow of a smirk playing on his lips. “Just making conversation, man. It’s not every day a stranger rolls into town, especially a hot woman with a dull name. Jane Dolan, really?”
Hank’s mind raced. Was Liam just being nosy, or was there something more to his questions?
“Jane’s her own person,” Hank replied cautiously. “She’s here for some quiet, that’s all.”
Liam pushed off the wall, stepping closer. “Quiet, huh? This town is good for that. But people talk, and a pretty woman like Jane doesn’t go unnoticed.”
Hank felt a protective instinct flare up inside him. “People’s business is their own.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Just hope her being here doesn’t bring trouble to your doorstep. Wouldn’t want that nice family of yours mixed up in something dangerous.” Liam nodded, his eyes dark and knowing. “Well, I better get going.”
As Liam walked away, Hank couldn’t shake the feeling of a storm brewing on the horizon. Sierra’s reasons for hiding had been typical—that of a celebrity wanting privacy—but was there more behind it? Or was Liam trying to warn him off so he could take a shot at her?
Either way, he couldn’t have a guy like Liam asking questions or digging around. He hated to fire him, especially since he’d done a great job, but he couldn’t let the insinuations take root in town.
Chapter Thirteen
Sierra stared out her window at Liam and Hank. Whatever conversation the men were having wasn’t pleasant. Hank was stiff, and his muscles were bunched up, while Liam seemed to have gained the upper hand.
What had he told Hank to have him look so worried? Could he have threatened Hank or revealed that he knew her true identity? She wasn’t going to get anywhere sitting and hiding. While Hank and Liam worked underneath the house, she’d snuck into his trailer and searched it, hoping to find her things. She’d come up empty but helped herself to his Glock 19 and ammo.
She’d gone to the variety store and bought herself a concealed carry holster and several clips, filling them with bullets. Every Mafia princess knew how to shoot, and she was no exception. If Liam suspected, all the better. She’d show him she wasn’t a wilting lily to be trampled over.
She might have to leave, though. She couldn’t risk Hank’s safety, not with the shadows of her past inching closer. She heard Hank go into his room and crank up the shower. Racing down the stairs and not stopping at Emma’s room, she took the rear stairway to the parking area.
Liam was climbing into his truck when she rushed him, shoving him with all her might. He barely budged, but his raised eyebrows acknowledged her defiance.
“Time’s up, Liam. Leave, or I’m calling the sheriff.”
He chuckled, a dark glint in his eyes. “What for, Jane? You’re the one hiding, not me.”
“Cut the crap, Liam Walsh.” Her voice was ice. “Who sent you? Tony or Marco?”
