Page 37 of Lethal Deceit (Hightower Security #2)

With Mick sitting up front, nervous energy starts to build in me, along with some doubts.

The clothes they’ve once again forced me to wear don’t fit as snugly as I’d like, the cotton isn’t soft, and the canvas shoes are scuffed. While the outfit is practical, it reveals their intent. After assuming the worst, it’s now obvious that if they wanted to force me to do something, they have the manpower and resources to do so.

I keep my eyes on the back of Mick’s head, studying the lines of his neck and the creases in his skin as he looks out the window. He must be sick to his stomach. But he’s trying not to show it. Trying to be brave, or macho. Neither of which will help him get his sister back.

I swallow hard and am pleased Jake isn’t driving as erratically now that we’re on the freeway. The rest of the drive passes by in a blur of emotions I don’t understand and am fighting to control. Pressure is building up in my chest, and my eyes are stinging. What is wrong with me? I’m like a bottle of champagne whose cork has been partially popped. All the force inside is slowly compelling the contents to pour out.

I squeeze my eyes shut and clench my fists as Mick and Jake carry on a conversation I’m not even sure if I should be a party to. I wouldn’t be so open if I were in their shoes. I’d probably have stuffed me in the trunk of the car, handcuffed just for good measure. Their continued patience and kindness are baffling.

As Jake takes an exit, my thoughts continue to batter me relentlessly.

“Where are we going?”

I call out.

Mick twists to face me, and all my muscles seem to tense at the stress lines forming around his mouth and eyes.

“Silas is meeting us at an old aircraft repair station.”

“Who’s Silas?” I say.

Jake replies.

“The guy keeping you out of jail.”

Mick’s expression turns frosty as he glances at him.

“Just drive.”

His reaction gives me a little reassurance that he does genuinely care for me and that his words haven’t all been in the heat of the moment. But still, when he breaks eye contact and twists back to look out of the windshield, my confidence wanes—more and more the closer we get to our destination. If Silas is powerful enough to command a man like Mick, he must be something to behold.

By the time we arrive at Miami International and detour to the maintenance section, my nerves have cranked up so high, adrenaline is making my hands tremble. This far away from the main airport there are few security checks, but when a solitary security guard waves us through as though expecting us, it’s apparent Hightower really does have everything covered.

Jake comes to a sliding stop outside a building marked “903,”

jerking me against the restraints. My heart leaps to my throat as two men appear, both around the same height, both dressed in camo gear, boots, and aviator shades, but only one has a radio and visible weapons strapped to his body.

Unsure of whether to exit, I wait for Mick to give me direction. Rather than leave me floundering, he immediately climbs out and opens my door for me. While his posture is tense, the protective hand he places on my back once again brings reassurance while my world is collapsing. He’s something solid and tangible.

The man I guess is Silas speaks first, extending his hand to Mick before his eyes flick to me. This is the do-or-die moment, so while Mick shakes the hand of the other man, who identifies himself as Reese, I freeze as Silas casts his eyes over me. He doesn’t say a word to me, just tells Jake to hide the car around the back then gestures for us to follow him and Reese inside.

With Mick at my side, I step into the building, instinctively scanning for exits. The air is dry and metallic, thick with the scent of rust, old fuel, and something acrid I can’t name. The space is cavernous—an abandoned aircraft hangar with faded hazard signs peeling off the walls and a roof that groans every time the wind picks up.

Barrels of chemicals are stacked along one side, their labels faded or scraped off entirely. They sit beneath a grimy window layered with cobwebs and dust so thick it filters the daylight into a dull haze. A folding table has been shoved against the wall—on it, a battered laptop hums beside tangled cords, stripped radios, and what looks like surplus military gear.

Silas perches casually on one of the barrels.

“Good news. Caleb has Brooke’s location.”

Mick lets out a breath before running his hand over his face. While it is good news, based on their body language, neither Reese nor Silas are telling Mick the whole truth.

“What’s the bad news?” I ask.

Reese eyes me before answering.

“There’s only one way in.”

Mick slumps against the wall as Silas speaks.

“They haven’t made contact again, and they haven’t left the area. These are all good signs they’ll negotiate.”

“Where are they holding her?”

Mick asks.

“They’re holed up in a house in the Everglades,”

Silas says.

Mick squints at the laptop, where a map of the area has been enlarged and magnified. An X has been placed where Caleb has located Brooke.

I point out the obvious since no one seems to mind my speaking.

“That’s sitting right on Lake Okeechobee. The entire area is wetlands.”

Beside me, Mick nods.

“They probably have a boat slip.”

Silas folds his arms across his chest and nods.

“We’ll have confirmation just as soon as Delilah has access to the satellite imagery.”

Jake walks in, his whistle echoing and grating on my nerves.

Silas catches his attention.

“I need you to get on the phone to a Realtor.”

Reese interrupts by tapping the screen.

“If they hired a seaplane, it’s twenty minutes to Chokoloskee Bay. I’ll make some calls and go see if I can find out.”

As Reese walks away, Mick’s back stiffens.

“You think that’s their plan? Hire a charter again, finish what they started?”

he asks Silas.

Before Silas can answer, I risk a theory of my own.

“If they planned to martyr themselves and blow something up, they would have done it by now.”

Silas’s lips twitch, but he gestures for me to continue, so I clear my throat and go on.

“Running around Miami wearing out-of-state uniforms is just moronic. People would have noticed them. Other cops would have noticed them. It’s almost like they wanted to get the attention.”

Silas scratches his chin stubble.

“You’re thinking about how you’d act. That doesn’t apply here.”

“Why not?”

“Because evil doesn’t play by your rules. It doesn’t have to make sense.”

I almost laugh—until Mick lets out a low growl.

“So how do we fight that?” I ask.

Silas’s jaw tightens.

“By remembering we’re not just dealing with people. There’s something darker behind this.”

“That sounds like superstition,” I mutter.

They both look at me like I just missed the obvious.

Silas’s voice is calm but sharp.

“There’s good and there’s evil. Whether you believe it or not doesn’t change who’s pulling the strings.”

Thankfully, I don’t have to reiterate that I don’t believe him because Adena arrives, out of breath, drawing their attention away from me.

“Caleb’s in place and has a good view of the house, but he’s sweating like a pig and needs water and shelter. I gave him what I had,”

she says. To prove her point, she uncaps a water bottle and guzzles half as Mick looks to Silas for confirmation.

“I’ll go,”

Mick says.

Silas shakes his head.

“Luke’s on his way. He’s taking an airboat. They aren’t leaving without us knowing about it.”

Mick holds his gaze then blows out a breath.

“I’m going nuts here. I need something to do.”

Silas’s reply is interrupted by Jake returning.

“Well?”

Mick asks him.

Jake pulls out his phone.

“It’s like Caleb said. Only one road in. But I found this. It’s a rental, and there’s a view of the house. Sending you all the link.”

They all pull out their phones, leaving me empty-handed and out of the loop.

“Nice find, Rookie. Internal access to the garage,”

Adena says.

Silas bobs his head.

“We’ll use a minivan. Adena, you and Jake can sit up front and play the role of new parents. We’ll take the back.”

Jake chuckles.

“You’re going to have to take the twins for a walk while I unpack.”

Adena groans.

“That’s so sexist. Why can’t you take them this time?”

While Mick and I exchange a look, Reese joins the conversation.

“No seaplanes rented to that area, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t found another way.”

“Luke will confirm that when he arrives.”

Silas checks his watch.

“Jake, go find a rental, and do not steal anything. Adena, take and go hunting in the office for anything useful. Reese…”

At my inclusion, my stomach dips to my toes and back again. Mick offers me a half smile.

While Reese’s back straightens in expectation, Silas’s instruction makes the blood drain from Mick’s face.

“Go get your wife.”

Reese grimaces at him then looks across at Mick.

“As a precaution.”

Mick tries to shake it off.

“If there is another bomb, there’s no one I’d rather be there.”

A shiver runs down my spine as Adena crooks her finger at me. “Come on.”

I feel an element of panic at going with her, but I don’t exactly have any other option. I’m completely at Hightower’s mercy, and I get the feeling that’s exactly what they wanted.