CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Liam straightened, his gaze locked on Cade. “What did the waitress tell you?” Based on the EOD man’s expression, his news wasn’t good.
“Baker approached Darla, your waitress, and asked her to dump either a plate of food or Piper’s drink in her lap. He claimed to be Piper’s brother, back from a fourteen-month deployment in the Army and wanted to surprise her. He said he and Piper pulled practical jokes on each other and she wouldn’t be angry. Darla didn’t know he intended to kidnap Piper.”
He frowned. “That’s what we guessed. What’s the problem?”
“Baker wasn’t alone. Another man was with him.”
Liam dragged a hand down his face. Great. Barone was hiring outside talent in pairs. Even if Zane unearthed pictures of Barone’s crew, he wouldn’t have photos of the hired talent.
Cade was right. He needed to take Piper away from Copper Ridge. Unfortunately, he was taking her to Hartman and her uncle. At least there, though, he’d know everyone except his team was a potential enemy.
He glanced at Piper. “I’d feel better about your safety if we’re on the road rather than here in Copper Ridge.”
“I’ll do whatever is best for me and your teammates.”
He kissed her forehead. “Thanks. As soon as Simon returns, we’ll leave.”
“I’ll pack.” Piper set aside the blanket and walked to her room, closing the door behind her.
“Is she all right?” Cade asked.
Liam jammed a hand through his hair. “She’s shaken up by the kidnapping and half afraid her uncle is behind it. We have to end this, Cade. She’ll won’t be safe until we uncover every secret.”
“And if it turns out her fear is correct, that her uncle is responsible for this chaos?” Trent asked.
“At least she’ll know the truth. She’s strong. She can handle whatever comes.”
“She’ll have to be if she wants a relationship with you, Liam.” Trent folded his arms across his chest. “Don’t think I didn’t notice the hot looks going back and forth between you two. What gives, buddy?”
He could blow off the inquiry but why? His teammates were his friends and they knew him better than anyone, including his family. “She loves me, and we’re unofficially engaged.”
Both men congratulated him and clapped him on the shoulder. “Good job, man.” Cade grinned. “Sasha will be thrilled to hear the news.”
“Grace, too,” Trent said. “When can we tell them?”
“I want to give Piper the chance to tell Delilah first. After that, you’re free to tell the news.”
“Excellent.” A pointed look from his team leader. “Tell Piper to call Delilah before we leave. Grace and the others need something good to talk about to distract them from what we might face in Hartman.”
“Copy that.” He’d be searching for good things to tell Piper when he was in harm’s way. If he could keep his job.
A sharp pain speared Liam’s heart at the thought of giving up the job he loved. He’d do it in a heartbeat to keep Piper safe. He hated to lose touch with Trent, Matt, Cade, and especially Simon.
The suite door opened. Simon walked in, followed by Matt. “How is Piper?” Simon asked.
“Five stitches in her lip, cuts and scrapes on her hands and arms,” Matt answered as he handed a makeshift ice pack to Liam. “Ice the ribs. You can’t afford to be immobile.”
Trent frowned. “How bad are the ribs?”
Liam waved his concern aside. “Bruised. What did the cops say, Simon?”
“Not much since I wasn’t involved in Baker’s takedown.” His eyes gleamed with amusement. “Copper Ridge’s finest isn’t impressed with you leaving the scene of the crime with their star witness.”
“I was more interested in Matt checking Piper’s injuries than waiting for the cops. Besides, we answered Barrett and Kerrigan’s questions here in the suite. Now that I know we have another man involved, I’m glad I made that call.”
Simon’s eyebrows rose. “Another man?”
“I talked to Piper and Liam’s waitress, Darla,” Cade said. “Baker asked her to dump a drink or food on Piper to get her into the bathroom alone. He had another man with him when he talked to Darla.”
“I didn’t see signs of another tango out there. I looked around while we waited for the cops to arrive.” He turned to Liam. “What do you want to do?”
“Spirit Piper out of Copper Ridge as fast as possible. The detectives know how to reach us if they have more questions.”
A slow nod from his friend. “I’ll grab my gear.” He strode to the other bedroom.
Cade, Matt, and Trent looked at each other. Trent motioned to the door. “Let’s go. We’ll meet back here.”
As soon as they left, Liam called Zane.
“What do you need?”
“Tell me you have new information.” He had more questions than answers.
“So far, I have zip. We’re still digging. You have anything for me?”
He summarized the previous two hours, ending with, “We’ll leave Copper Ridge as soon as we’re packed.”
“You’re heading straight into the lion’s den.”
“I know. Look into John Baker. He said he doesn’t know who hired him. Maybe you can discover who made inquiries about hiring him.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Tell Trent the Texas team is on the way to Amaretto. I reserved five rooms at the lodge on the outskirts of town. If you and Piper need to hide, Amaretto should be safe enough for one night. I sent a list of safe houses to your email.”
“I hope we don’t need them.” If they did, he and Piper were in deep trouble and their mission to find the evidence to use against Barone was a failure.
“I’m almost finished with the papers for your mom and sister, and Maddox is scouting a new location for you, Piper, and your family to start a new life if necessary.”
“I appreciate it, Z. If my family agrees to the relocation, my only regret would be leaving my team behind. I love my job. I don’t know how to do anything else.”
“The boss and I have been brainstorming about that. How do you feel about heading up a new team training facility?”
He sat up straighter, winced at the pain the movement caused. “Are you serious?”
“We can’t keep up with demand for our services. Maddox wants to establish another training facility on the west coast. If you have to relocate and you’re willing to take on the task, the boss will work it out. He doesn’t want to lose you, Liam. I don’t know if Bravo would be willing to move. If they aren’t, you’ll create a new team. Consider it if you have to go into hiding. Anything else I can do?”
“Not right now. Thanks, Z.”
“Yep. I expect a check-in in two hours.”
Liam smiled. “Yes, sir.”
With a chuckle, Zane ended the call.
As he stood at the French doors to scan the area, he thought about the potential job opportunity if he had to reinvent himself. The idea of starting another training facility wasn’t one he’d considered. He enjoyed his role in Bravo. If he had to relocate, though, the job would be an interesting challenge.
“Liam?”
He turned and smiled at Piper. “Everything packed?”
She nodded. “I heard you talking to someone.”
“I called Zane. He’s still digging. I asked him to check John Baker’s background and his accounts. If we’re lucky, he’ll learn who made inquiries about hiring him and his partner.”
Piper studied him a moment. “What else?”
“He and Maddox have been brainstorming about ways to keep me with Fortress if we go into hiding.” He told her about the training school and his role in the endeavor.
“Is that what you want?”
“I’d rather work with Bravo. If I don’t have that option, a new school would be interesting.”
“Would you go on missions?”
He turned toward her, his gaze assessing. “Would you rather I didn’t?”
Piper cupped his cheek with her palm. “I want you to be happy, Liam. If that means going on missions, you should go.”
“You’ll worry.”
“Of course. I’ll survive. The other wives and girlfriends of Fortress operatives handle the separation and worry. So will I.”
He wrapped his arms around the woman he adored. “You’re an amazing woman, Sunshine.”
Simon opened his door and stopped. “Should I come back in a few minutes?” Humor filled his voice.
“Not necessary.” Liam released Piper and retrieved her luggage and his gear. Within twenty minutes, the cargo areas of the SUVs were packed and the key cards for the resort turned in.
“We have your six,” Trent told Liam. “Stop when you need to. When we reach Amaretto, the rest of us will stop at the lodge to check in, then do reconnaissance on Barone’s place as well as Romano’s. I talked to Brody Weaver. Either one of Bravo or one of his team will be near you and Piper at all times. I’ll send you the contact information for the Texas team in case you need to speak to them. Input the same information into Piper’s phone.”
“I’ll take care of it.” His hand tightened around Piper’s. If she had to reach out to Texas for help, every member of Bravo would be down, and Piper’s chances of survival were nil.