Page 20 of Lethal Deceit (Hightower Security #2)

Frustrated—and still hungry—I avoid looking at her underwear drying on the rail, leave my gun in easy reach, and shower as fast as I can. Every second away from her is a risk I’d rather not take. But the woman is an argumentative menace. The conflict is messing with my ability to reason.

As a rescue swimmer, I’ve dropped into Gulf waters whipped by storm surge, hoisted fishermen off sinking trawlers, and braced against rotor wash with seconds to spare. I’ve trained to keep a level head in chaos, stay focused, and stay sharp.

But none of that prepared me for this.

The reasonable thing to do would be to call this Luke guy, tell him I’ve had enough, and walk out the door. Drive straight back to Tampa, check in at Air Station Clearwater, and let someone else untangle this mess.

There’s only one thing stopping me.

Loyalty to the security team that saved my life.

With that thought, I get dressed and scan the room again—checking for weapons, or anything that could be used as one. Pointless, really. She’s smart, resourceful. If she wanted to hurt someone, she’d find a way.

I yank the door open and step into the living area. She’s curled in the same chair, sipping the coffee I brewed, picking at her thumbnails like she’s peeling away more than skin.

I close the door quietly, open her pack, and check that her phone is still where I left it. No calls out, no calls in. At all. She’s deleted her entire call history.

Good thing Hightower has installed tracking software.

With my eyes on the door, I push the phone back where I found it and unzip the main compartment.

The money is missing.

Does she really think I’m that stupid?

With a grunt, I rezip the pack and dump it back on the floor. There’s no point searching for the money now. There aren’t many places she could have hidden it, and I need caffeine and a better breakfast than granola.

I pull out my phone and dial Silas, hoping to get an update.

But instead of Silas, a woman answers as though she’s his secretary.

“Hey, Coastie, Silas is having his morning prayer time, but he told me to take your calls.”

Prayer time? I glance at my watch. It’s not even seven. My dad would definitely approve.

“Sorry, have we met?”

“Alas, we haven’t. I’m Delilah. I live at Hightower HQ. I’m more behind the scenes, but I’ve got your back just the same.”

My phone blips in my ear, and I check it quickly, grimacing as I see the low battery warning.

I press the phone against my ear again and hope she has the info I need.

“I was calling for an update. Can you give me one?”

“About the guys who shot at you? Nope. Caleb and the Rook are handling that. I think he’s going to check in with you soon. But I can tell you about Samantha’s phone, if you want?”

I glance at the door and peek out to make sure she’s where she should be.

“Has she used it?”

“Nah. She hasn’t sent or received any texts on it since yesterday at the marina. And that call wasn’t answered. I’ve traced the number, but it’s a dead end. It’s no longer in service. If I had to guess, it was a burner, like Samantha’s is.”

I mull that over and tug my boots on one-handed as I talk.

“Let me guess, you’re the tech whiz at Hightower?”

She chuckles.

“I prefer cyber goddess, but tech whiz works. Did you like the food? Zack handled the healthy stuff. I’m more of a heat-and-eat kinda gal.”

“It was fine. Who’s Zack?”

“He’s who Silas is praying with. Zack’s kind of like our Father Mulcahy. You ever watch that show?”

“M*A*S*H? Sure, it’s a great show.”

“Yeah, he’s like that. A sweet outer layer, but with a chewy Chuck Norris center.”

My phone blips again.

“Ruh-roh. Somebody forgot to charge their phone,”

she says in a singsong voice.

I laugh.

“Yeah. I’ll go charge it now.”

“Righto. Silas should be done in an hour or so. But Caleb will be in touch if there’s anything you need to know.”

“Great. Thanks.”

I start to say goodbye, but she interrupts me.

“It’s kinda sad, though, when you think about it.”

I scowl.

“Think about what?”

“That she doesn’t have anyone who cares about her. No family, no friends.”

My fingers hover over my laces.

“That’s because she uses people and throws them away when she’s done with them.”

“Maybe. But… I dunno. Her parents gave her away to total strangers like she was nothing. What would that do to a kid?”

I drag my fingers through my damp hair.

“I don’t know.”

“Yeah, well… maybe think about that. Adena and I have been digging up more of her history. She’s incredibly clever, and she’s very careful with who she targets. They won’t report her because they’d incriminate themselves.”

I don’t know who Adena is, and I don’t have time to ask.

“You sound like you admire her.”

“I admire her resilience and resourcefulness, not that she’s hurt people. I’m hoping to meet her so I can slap some sense into her.”

The idea makes my lips twitch into a smile. My phone sounds another alert, giving me no more time to talk.

“My phone’s going to die.”

She exhales loudly, almost as if she’s disappointed in me.

“Yeah. Go plug in, but will you do me a favor?”

“What?”

“Look out for her, Coastie. Right now, you’re the only person who can.”