CHAPTER SIXTEEN
As Liam ended the call to his mother, his gaze met Cade’s. Her admonition to protect himself and Piper at all costs still echoed in his mind. His strong, protective mother agreed the private witness protection program was best if matters couldn’t be resolved with Barone and his crew.
“How did she take it?” his friend asked.
“Better than I hoped. She insisted I find a way to communicate with her. If I was permanently relocated with a new name, I should expect her to ask Maddox to do the same for her and maybe my sister, too.”
Cade gave a low whistle. “Your mother has a steel spine.”
“I don’t know if Marissa will uproot her life. If not, I’ll find a way to keep in touch and make sure she’s protected.”
“You’re lucky. Not every family would reinvent themselves for an adult child.”
Liam’s eyes stung. “I know. Mom wants to rock her grandchildren.”
“What about your sister’s children?”
“She’s not married or dating, and she also can’t have kids. Severe injuries from a car accident.”
“Your sister could adopt. Many children need a great home.”
“She won’t consider adoption. Says it reminds her of the loss. Marissa plans to be the favorite aunt my children run to for comfort when they’re angry at me. If this situation with Barone goes south, she won’t have the opportunity to spoil my children.”
Cade studied him a moment, speculation in his gaze. “Why consider going into witness protection for Piper? You’ve only dated a few months.”
Liam poured coffee into a mug and sipped before answering. “I can’t let Piper go alone. She’s not trained in evasion tactics. One mistake and Barone’s people will be on her in a heartbeat.”
“You’re talking about giving up your current life and losing everything you’ve worked for.”
Liam glanced at Piper’s closed door. “I’m falling in love with her. I can’t let her walk out of my life. I need Piper.”
A slow nod from his friend. “Then we obliterate Barone and his crew. Otherwise, we’ll have to break in a newbie for Bravo. Does Piper know how you feel?”
“Would you tell a woman you’ve dated for a few weeks that you want to rush her down the aisle, place a wedding band on her finger, and change her identity? I need time without her being afraid of a Hartman thug will catch her alone and demand incriminating information. I won’t have that time if we’re constantly looking over our shoulder, on the run from Barone’s henchmen.”
“We’ll help you.” A pointed look from his friend. “We never leave a man behind.”
Liam’s eyes stung as he positioned himself on the other side of the French doors and kept watch while he sipped his coffee.
When Liam’s mug was empty, Cade said, “You need sleep.”
“I have research to do.” So many problems and possibilities tumbled in his brain, he wasn’t sure he could sleep.
“You didn’t sleep on the flight home and once you reached Otter Creek, you were in bodyguard mode. You’ve been awake for more than 48 hours. Go to bed.”
“Yeah, all right.” Although he hated to admit it, fatigue dragged at him even with the coffee in his system. This tired, he could make a fatal mistake.
Liam placed his Sig within easy reach and stretched out on the couch. A moment later, the living room plunged into twilight as Cade turned off the overhead light.
“I have your back, Liam, and I’ll protect Piper with my life. Let go and rest.”
He closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax for the first time in two days. Three hours later, he roused when Matt and Cade traded places.
“I’ve got this, Liam,” Matt murmured. “I’ll wake you at the first sign of trouble.”
Liam woke to the sound of Piper’s door opening. He glanced at his watch and frowned. Five o’clock. He sat up. “What’s wrong, Piper?”
“Nightmare. Go back to sleep.”
Liam held out his hand. “Come here.”
“You need to sleep.”
“I will if I know you’re safe and resting. Come here.”
With a sigh, Piper settled beside him on the couch.
He spread the blanket over them, relaxed into the cushions, and propped his feet on the coffee table. After kissing her forehead, Liam leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
Two hours later, he woke to an incoming text signal. He glanced at Piper, pleased to note she was sound asleep. Liam eased his cell phone from his pocket and scanned the screen.
Simon turned from the French doors, eyebrow cocked in silent inquiry.
“Zane has information,” Liam murmured.
Piper stirred. “Is everything all right?”
“Not sure. Zane wants me to call.”
“Need coffee, Piper?” Simon asked.
She wrinkled her nose. “I prefer hot tea or a soft drink.”
“I’ll ask for hot tea with our room service order. Soft drinks are in the refrigerator.”
Piper hurried into the kitchen as Liam called Zane. When his friend answered, Liam said, “You’re on speaker with Piper and Simon. What do you have for me?”
“The IDs will be ready by the end of the day. Still no lead on Spencer’s location but online communication between members of your unit is heating up.”
“More of the same?”
“Afraid so. Spencer seems determined to turn the unit against you.”
To isolate him. Spencer didn’t know he was closer to his Bravo teammates than he’d been to his Marine brothers. “Anything else?”
“I hacked the Copper Ridge police department’s computer system. They’re still processing evidence from the crime scenes. However, they cleared you despite the fact your service record makes them nervous.”
“What about Simon?”
“Not willing to turn him loose. They want to pin Gavin’s murder on him as well as the shooter’s death.”
“Nice,” Simon said. “Do you have good news, Z?”
“Don’t know if the news is good, but it’s interesting. Piper’s uncle is trying to find her.”
Piper sat beside Liam with her soft drink in hand, brow furrowed. “I haven’t talked to him since I left Hartman. Why is he anxious to talk to me now?”
“Definitely not a coincidence.” Liam draped his arm around her shoulders. “What else, Z?”
“I crosschecked the prints of the shooters in Copper Ridge with the prints collected at your house and Piper’s.”
Liam’s hand tightened around the phone. “And?”
“The shooters were busy. They trashed Piper’s place.”
“What about mine?”
“Spencer broke into your home.”
“The PSI team finished searching the house?”
“They netted three cameras and five bugs.”
Liam smiled. “Spencer must be furious that he spent so much money on surveillance equipment only to have PSI confiscate it.”
Piper leaned closer to the phone. “Zane?”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Do you know if my uncle is still in Hartman?”
“From what I can tell. Why?”
She sighed. “I hoped he was somewhere else. Has Liam mentioned Brandy Strickland to you?”
“He didn’t but her name popped up when I dug into Gavin’s background. What do you want to know?”
“Gavin had travel documents for her under a different name. Do you know where she is?”
“I don’t, but I’ll try to locate her.”
“Thanks. Although we didn’t part company on good terms, I don’t want anything to happen to her. I’m worried.”
“Considering what happened to you, and Gavin’s death, you’re right to be concerned.”
“Z, it’s Simon. You said the Copper Ridge cops want to pin Gavin’s murder on me. Have they run a ballistics test on the bullet that killed Gavin?”
“Still waiting on the results of that. Their crime lab is backed up.”
“What about the shooter in police custody? Have they checked his weapon against the bullet?”
“They submitted the test for that as well as testing for a match to your weapon. According to their interview notes, he insists he didn’t kill Gavin and neither did the other shooter. He says you did it.”
Simon growled. “The cops have to clear me, Z. I’m going with Liam and Piper to Hartman whether the Copper Ridge police approve or not. He needs someone to watch his back.”
“You won’t help him or yourself if they find out you’re leaving and toss you in jail,” Piper pointed out.
“She’s right,” Zane said.
Simon’s jaw tightened. “Let’s hope Maddox comes through.”
One look at his face told Liam that Simon would go to Hartman with or without permission. Frustration gnawed at his gut. He didn’t want his friends in danger from the law or the criminals. “Keep digging, Zane.”
“Planned on it. I assigned the geeks to find schematics for Barone’s house.”
“Better add Gino’s house to the list.”
“Copy that. Anything else, Liam?”
“You might need to create two more sets of documents.”
“For?”
“My mother and sister.”
“Ah. I’ll have them ready.”
“Thanks.” Liam ended the call and glanced at Piper. “What do you want to do about your uncle?”
“Find out what he wants. Should I use my new cell phone?”
He nodded. “He won’t be able to trace the call and pinpoint your location. Put the call on speaker.”
Piper retrieved her phone, called her uncle, and tapped the speaker button.
After five rings, a male voice answered.
“It’s Piper.”
After a few seconds of silence, he said, “I’m glad to finally hear from you. Three years is too long to sulk like a child.”
Liam scowled. Three years was too long for Gino Romano to hold a grudge against his niece for not falling into line and marrying a man who would have treated her with disrespect.
“How are you, Uncle Gino?”
“Missing my only niece. When are you coming home?”
Piper glanced at Liam, an unspoken question in her eyes.
He gave her a short nod. He didn’t know what game Romano was playing, but they’d be better off if Barone received word Piper was in town at the request of her uncle. Thin cover but Liam would take it anyway.
“I didn’t think you wanted to see me.”
“Come home. We’ll talk. Sofia will make your favorite dinner to celebrate your return. It’s time to put aside our differences. You have a destiny to fulfill.”
Liam didn’t like the sound of that and, from the expression on her face, neither did Piper.
“All right, Uncle Gino. I’ll come for a short visit but I’m not staying in Hartman. I have a new life that I enjoy.”
A snort. “In that little podunk town of Otter Creek? Ridiculous. You’re wasting your life there, wasting your business degree in a small business.”
Piper froze. “How do you know where I live and work?”
“Did you think I wouldn’t trace your whereabouts with a private investigator? You’re my only living relative. I was concerned about your welfare. When shall we expect you?”
“I’m not sure.”
Liam held up one finger.
“Maybe tomorrow or the day after,” she added.
“You can’t be more specific?” Romano sounded irritated.
“I have a few things to wrap up before I can travel.”
“I’ll see if I can find Gavin. I’m sure he would love to renew your friendship.”
Liam covered her knee with his hand and shook his head. Romano was throwing out a lure.
“I don’t want anything to do with Gavin,” Piper said. “He destroyed our dating relationship when he cheated on me. I will never trust him again. Besides, I’m bringing a friend with me to Hartman.”
“A friend?”
“His name is Liam.” She glanced at him, smiled. “He’s amazing.”
“Who is he?”
“The man I’m dating.”
Long seconds of silence followed her last statement. “I look forward to meeting him. Plan to stay here. No need for a hotel room. This is still your home. Let me know when you will arrive. I want to give Sofia enough warning to prepare a meal for you and your guest.” With that last command, Romano ended the call.
Piper drew in a deep breath and turned to Liam. “How did I do?”
“Perfect.” Liam planted a quick kiss on her mouth.
“I hoped we could sneak in and out of Hartman without my uncle or Barone noticing.”
“The chances of pulling that off were slim to none,” Simon said, glancing over his shoulder at her. “This is better.”
“How is announcing our intention better than sneaking in?”
Liam tucked her close to his side again. “Going to Hartman this way will create doubt in Barone’s mind, and perhaps your uncle’s, about our true purpose.”
Maybe the tactic would keep them alive.