Page 26 of Dreaming

For every seizure they made, ten percent went into foundation funds that helped the victims the bad guys left behind. The rest disappeared into whatever government called them in. They’d filled a lot of coffers and bankrupted a fuck ton of criminals in a decade.

They traveled the world and helped where they could.

Whatever Nia couldn’t resolve with numbers, Hayden and his people resolved with a bullet. It was better than most of the criminals they tracked deserved.

In all the years she’d been working - all the assignments she’d undertaken - no one had ever identified her.

Never, not once, had the bad guys followed her home.

Walking into her bedroom closet, she slid what looked to be a solid shoe rack to the side and opened the safe behind it.

She removed cash, IDs, and her personal, registered weapons. Everything went in a Kevlar-grade duffel that was already packed with essentials.

Dumping her trays of jewelry in a zippered bag, she touched the platinum chain around her neck.

Her gift from Dennis.

Nia hadn’t taken it off since she received it. Shaking hands moved to the clasp before she dropped them.

She needed it with her.

Picking up her bag, she locked the safe, put the shoe rack back in place, and turned off the light. In her office, she gathered her laptop and several working files. She tucked her second cell in her back pocket.

Stowing everything in her gear bag, she locked up the house.

In her garage, she removed the rest of her gear from the trunk of her car and added it to her duffel. She raised the garage door as her work cell vibrated.

DH approaching. Stop?

Nia exhaled roughly and responded to let him through. Leaning against the back of her car, she watched as Dennis pulled into her driveway and parked crookedly.

Getting out slowly, he stared at the street in front of her house and noted the SUVs parked there. Rubbing his hand over his head, he approached her cautiously.

As anyone would who realized his girlfriend had just killed four psychopaths who came looking for her at his place of business. Particularly if said psychopaths were prepared to murder everyone in the building to get to their target.

It made her heart clench but it wasn’t surprising.

He stopped two feet in front of her and his eyes flicked down to the gun holstered at her waist.

“Nia…” He took a deep breath. “You work for the ATF?”

“No. I’ve consulted but no, I don’t work for them.”

“You’re some kind of cop…”

“No. I’m an accountant. That’s the truth. Most of the scum whose lives I deep dive never see my face, never know who it is following their money.”

He frowned. “Someone did this time?”

“I didn’t know. No one knew. We followed every protocol. I’m truly sorry. I never, ever meant to bring trouble to your door.” She swallowed hard. “Are you alright, Dennis?”

“No, Nia. No, I’m not alright.”

“I understand. Some of my people will be looking out for you. Keeping an eye on you, on your place…”

“Why?” He straightened and glanced at the bag at her feet. “Are you leaving?”

“I have to. I…”

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