Lachlan pulled a chair for Britt to sit, then walked to the espresso machine.
“Before we get started on the intel.” Britt slid the samples across the table toward the opposite side where the men stood. “I want a DNA test to determine if I’m Brittany Freeman.”
Everett stepped away from the monitor, picking up the plastic bag. “Glad to hear it. That’s one thing to cross off the list.”
“How long will it take?” She leaned back in the chair, carefully studying the contents of each monitor.
Everett glanced at Lachlan, who meticulously stirred cream and sugar into Britt’s coffee. “A few days. As soon as we have results, I’ll let you know.”
Satisfied that Britt’s drink would be to her liking, Lachlan poured more coffee in a second mug for himself.
Kane and Bobby sidled up next to him.
“Have fun last night?” Bobby asked, keeping his voice low.
“We couldn’t help but notice Britt’s suite hadn’t been used,” Kane added.
“She was more comfortable in my bed,” Lachlan replied flatly, in no mood to have his decisions about Britt dissected or second-guessed.
Everett drifted over from the monitors. “You sure that’s wise?”
Sebastian abandoned his station at the screens to join their impromptu huddle, completing the semicircle of men surrounding Lachlan at the coffee bar. “Lachlan’s a big boy.” Sebastian rested a hand on Lachlan’s shoulder. “He’s not going to do anything he can’t handle.”
Lachlan was grateful at least one of his friends trusted his judgment and understood why keeping any distance from Britt was impossible.
Britt cleared her throat. “If you gentlemen are done gossiping about the intimate details of what happened between Lachlan and me last night,” she called out, tapping her fingers impatiently on the table, “can we get on with the latest in the investigation? I’m pretty anxious to figure out who The Visitor is and how to stop him from killing me.”
“Damn, she doesn’t know how much she hasnotchanged, does she?” Bobby quipped, then chuckled as he walked from the coffee bar and sat at the table. Kane, Everett, and Sebastian followed suit as Lachlan grabbed the two mugs and walked to the opposite side to sit next to Britt.
He placed a mug in front of her. “Made this how you used to like it.”
Britt took a sip, then exhaled a dreamy sigh. “It’s perfect.”
“Well, I’ll start by saying we know who hired The Visitor to hold you captive,” Sebastian said, glancing at Lachlan for agreement to go ahead with the plan they’d discussed while Britt was taking a shower this morning.
Lachlan gave a subtle nod.
Taking the cue, Bobby filled all the monitors with pictures of Alejandro Cerundolo.
Lachlan studied Britt’s face as she stared at each picture.
“Am I supposed to know this guy?” Britt asked.
Lachlan was disappointed.
“Who is he?” Britt asked.
“Better that we keep his name a secret for now,” Bobby said, removing the photos.
They knew the audio recordings Britt had been subjected to mentioned her relationship with Alejandro. Fallon had warned them that informing Britt that her ex-fiance could be tied to her kidnapping might trigger another trauma, pushing her memories further into the recesses of her mind.
Britt glared at Bobby, then turned to Lachlan. “Why?”
He wouldn’t lie to her. “Because we can’t be sure how knowing that man’s identity would impact the recovery of your memories. I don’t want to do anything that could stop you from remembering …”
“My life,” Britt said, nodding. “Okay. Fine. I won’t push. So, where do we go from here?”
Kane said, “I retraced your likely route from the landfill in Little Turkey to the motel, but I couldn’t find the entrance to the underground facility. Everett got some interesting information from the Rakestraw Blake Center.”
