Page 83 of Stone Coast

“It’s getting that way.”

We chatted for a bit, then I finally told him about everything.

Tyson grumbled, then went silent a long moment as he processed the information. “I’m not going to ask you to admit anything over an open channel…”

“There’s nothing to admit. Somebody stole my gun and shot that bastard with it!”

He paused. “I believe you.”

“Do you really?”

“Yes. I do.”

“Why?”

“Because I know you.”

“I don’t even know me,” I said in a hopeless breath.

“You’re not safe. Leave Pineapple Bay. You can stay on my boat. Teagan can get you a key.”

“Who’s Teagan?”

“She works for me.”

“I bet she does,” I snarked. “What time is it there?”

“I’m seven hours ahead. Look, I can be back in the States tomorrow.”

“No. You just got there. You’ve got obligations. I’ll be fine.”

“That’s what you said last time we talked.”

I frowned. “Do you know where I can get a gun?”

He laughed. “I am not telling you how to get a gun, given the current situation. You get caught with a gun, you’re going back to jail.”

“You just said I’m in danger. I need to protect myself.”

He exhaled a frustrated breath. “You need to go dark. If I know you, there’s a bug-out bag aboard your boat. But all your aliases are compromised. If Ross is behind this, he’ll be able to find you if you use anything from the past.”

“So what do I do?”

He paused, then said, “I’ll have a passport and a plane ticket delivered to you. You can get out of the country and join me in Europe.”

“I’m not running from this.”

“You’re being stubborn.”

“No. I’m not.” I was. “Like you said, if Ross is behind this, he’s not going to stop. He’ll find me, eventually. I’ve got to figure out why I’m being targeted. I’ve got to set things straight. I can’t do that from Europe or Coconut Key or anywhere else.”

“Fair enough. But stay away from Xzavier, and get off the grid.”

“I’d still be in jail if it weren’t for that guy.”

“I don’t know enough about him. And neither do you.”

“Well, find out everything you can.”