Page 161 of Risky Obsession

Her expression morphed to serious. “I need answers. He’s somehow connected to Grant Hughes, and I need to get my hands on him, too.”

“Who?” I frowned at her.

“Grant Hughes.” She raised her right hand. “The bastard who dislocated my fingers.”

“Wow, you two really do have some stories,” Archer said. “Come on, we better get moving before Rosalina unleashes her wrath.”

“Me!” Rosalina faked horror. “You boys should be worried about Lacey.”

Rosalina and Lacey shared a look, and all four of us laughed.

As we made our way toward the mechanics shed, the man raised his head. “You lot are all dead.” His glare was so evil, I knew that capturing him was not the end of our problem.

Shit. Did we just make our situation a hell of a lot worse?

CHAPTER 33

Lacey

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting an eerie glow over the water as I stepped onto the rear deck ofEvangeline’s Sister. Relief that everyone was safe dominated my thoughts, however bone-deep exhaustion played havoc with my body.

Kane and Archer carried the bastard who had tried to kill us up the stairs, and as he fought to escape their grip, he yelled through the seventy-year-old oily rag Archer had shoved into his mouth before we left the submarine pens.

Although it was a blessing to have Archer’s help, my detective brain was eager to know more about him, because he seemed too comfortable handling a murderer. Although, during our climb down the cliff to Archer’s raft, the stupid bastard had jumped into the water, and if it wasn’t for Archer diving in after him, he would probably be dead.

I was torn over how I would feel about him dying now. On one hand, he’d tried to kill us twice and I was certain he’d left a trail of dead bodies in our wake. On the other, now that I knew he was connected to Grant Hughes, I planned to interrogate the hell out of him to get answers. I needed to get my brain functioning first. I was so weary I could barely follow Rosalina’s instructions to put away the scuba gear.

I had no idea how Kane was even standing after what he’d been through.

After we finished packing everything away, Rosalina shut the doubledoors and offered me a smile. “Are you hungry? I could make a quick pasta.”

“Oh yes, please. That would be amazing.”

“By the time you’ve had a shower and changed, I’ll have dinner ready.”

“Actually, Rosalina, could I borrow a phone? I’d like to call Aria and my captain in Australia and let them know what’s going on.”

“Of course.” She led me along a wide passage and down a set of stairs. We passed two doorways before she stopped. “You can use Archer’s office.”

“Oh, are you sure? It will be an international?—”

“Don’t be silly. You’re our guest. Now go sit down before you fall down.”

I released a small chuckle. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Along the hallway is the Hamilton suite for you and Kane. There are fresh towels in the bathroom. Have a hot shower. I’ll get a change of clothes for you.”

“Thanks.” I curled my salt-crusted hair behind my ears, and my body just about melted at the sound of a hot shower.

As Rosalina exited the room, leaving the door open, I wondered if Kane and my bags were still against the outer wall of the abandoned castle on the hill. That was a problem for tomorrow. I did not have the energy to get them today.

I pulled the killer’s phone from my back pocket and found the photos I’d taken of him after I’d beaten him unconscious. I frowned at the image, and zooming in, I studied his features. Something was so familiar about him, yet I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Where have I seen you before?

I flicked to the next picture. The blood across his face painted a gruesome picture of how brutal I’d been. I was trained in ways to use force to restrain an uncooperative suspect, but my attack on him went way beyond that. I was just lucky I didn’t kill him.

I flicked to the next image and grimaced.