Page 32 of Fighting With Light

Back on the road, I look out the window at the farm fields on either side of the highway and the small towns we fly past because Liam is driving like a madman.

Eventually, we pull into a large driveway with a sprawling beach house that stands right behind the cliff that drops into the beach and ocean. “Wow, Liam, this is beautiful.”

“I rented it for the month,” he says, unloading my bags from the trunk. I follow him into the quiet house and start looking around. There are far too many rooms for two people, but the house is isolated, with high walls all the way around it going up to the edge of the cliff. On each side of the house there is a sprawling lawn, creating lots of space from anyone else.

We walk through the double-door entry into a stunning foyer that goes off into hallways and sitting rooms. Its white clean lines complement the touches of warmth, reminding me of the California casual style. The massive living room opens to a giant kitchen with a large island and top-of-the-line appliances. On the wall that faces the ocean are multiple double glass doors and beautiful gauzy curtains that hang on either side of the opening.

“What do you think?” Liam asks, coming back from the hallway.

“I think you know how to pick ’em.”

He smiles, running his hand through his hair. “So, I’m on a rest day. I thought we could discuss more details, and lay out a plan. Because I still have competitions and I’m determined to win the world championship.”

“Get you a man that can do both,” I say.

He chuckles. “I’m spectacular at multitasking,” he says and wiggles his eyebrows. “Oh, the chef will be here in about an hour, so we can get started now.”

“You sure know how to spoil a girl, Tarzan.”

“I’ve been told I’mverygiving.”

I chuckle at all the innuendos, but I have to admit I’m cautiously excited that he’s all mine for however long this takes. Then we can hopefully get out of each other’s systems.

***

Liam has his computer set up in the office and I sit in one of the cozy chairs next to the window. I can see out over the cliffs into the ocean and it’s beautiful. Liam is hunched over his desk with his eyebrows scrunched together and his fingers flying faster than I can track. He sits up straight and sets his eyes on me.

“So, we’re friends, and my family thinks I’m seeing someone. Does that mean I have to follow you everywhere?” I ask him.

He looks at me carefully and leans forward. “Yes.” He pauses. “That would make sense.”

I pin my lips together, trying to hide my smile because Iwantto go everywhere with him. He bleeds adventure andlife,and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.

“Plus, if we’re going to build a case, then we will have to do some recon.”

“How are you going to manage to surf and do recon?” I ask, making a quote motion with my fingers.

“Well, that’s the point of having a partner, princess,” he says as if I should already know that.

“Assuming you get all the way to the top, where is each competition? Because I don’t know if it’s wise to go to Colombia, anyway. Plus, I don’t think we’re going to find much, seeing as I’m pretty sure the cocaine is made in the middle of nowhere.”

“Hmm, that could prove to be difficult,” he says. “I don’t know. We’ll figure it out, but the code I wrote to find information caught a few things. Some of it is video footage and pictures, which is exactly what we need.”

“Great, then we don’t have to go at all.”

“No, this has to be airtight, so that means we need to put eyes on it and get our own video and photos for it.”

I groanand sink back into the chair. I don’t like this, but I don’t see any other way. “To answer your question, though, if I make it to the next round, we will be going to El Salvador, which would be our opportunity to go to Colombia. After that, the last stop and final competition is in California.”

“Fun,” I mumble.

“Look, the goal is to find my father’s connection to yours, not break down the way the Costa organization works. I will do whatever it takes to find that information to bring my father down. I—” His voice cuts out and I stare at him as something wars behind his eyes. “My father has wreaked so much havoc on my family, he…he shot my mom.”

My jaw drops.

“He tried to kill my pregnant sister-in-law. I can’t keep living, waiting for that phone call that he actually succeeded. I’m many hours away from my family, Aelia. It doesn’t help that I’m constantly on edge, and we all just deserve peace and him in prison.”

My throat is tight, and I’m afraid to ask, yet this is Marco Costa we are talking about. “Did…” I choke on the words. “Is my father responsible for trying to kill your mother or sister?”