Page 25 of Too Guarded to Love

Every set of eyes in the conference room fixated on Nic. He didn’t flinch under the scrutiny.

The corners of Edgar’s lips curled under his mustache. “What do you mean you might know something about tonight’s attacks?”

Nic pushed off the conference table and straightened. “It’s just a theory, and I hope I’m way off base, but…”

He pulled in a deep breath. His shoulder and hip ached like it was about to rain, but it was dry as a desert in the room. Everything at headquarters was regulated, from the temperature to the heightened security. Nothing in Nic’s body felt regulated, though. Especially the guilt seeping through his pores.

“The day I lost my arm and leg, a female reporter was traveling with us on a routine maneuver. We were ambushed by a group of mercenaries. She died in the attack.”

And he’d almost died trying to save a liar.

“Four of my team survived that day—me, Will, Brian, and Joe. Seventeen months ago, Will’s wife was killed in a drive-by shooting. Six months ago, Brian’s wife was killed when her car went over a cliff. Three days ago, Joe’s sister, Stella, was found on the beach with her throat slit.”

He looked around the room. They all knew about the deaths and how the last one hit him especially hard because he’d known Joe since his West Point days, but nobody interrupted him or asked questions. “The drive-by shooting was considered collateral damage in a high-crime area. The car over the cliff was ruled a hit-and-run in the rain. But the attack on Stella was blatant murder.”

He waited a heartbeat for the grim picture he’d painted to sink in before he continued. Swallowing, he braced himself to voice what he should have asked for help with days ago.

“I think someone is avenging the reporter’s death by taking out the women we love. Since I was the ranking officer, they may be saving me for last.”

Kane’s boyish features turned stone cold. “And you think whoever is behind these killings thought you were in love with my sister after only knowing her for what, less than an hour, and decided to take her out to punish you?”

The summary of Nic’s fear slammed into his gut like a V-Strike. “I know it sounds far-fetched, but it’s one of the possibilities that we need to explore.”

Kane crumpled the can he held in his fist as he sat in a chair. “Explore what? That my sister may have been shot because you had suspicions and didn’t tell anyone?”

Nic sighed. It didn’t release any of the guilt in his chest. “We also have to consider Gran could have been targeted because she’s the closest thing I have to a parent.”

“And Scarlett, Beth, and Tessa are the closest thing you have to sisters.” Chris snapped his head to Ryan. “Are they secure?”

“Surveillance shows they’re still stuck in traffic in New Jersey. Hudson reported in two minutes ago that Beth and Scarlett are asleep, and that Tessa is cranky because the baby won’t settle down.”

Nic’s heart rate dialed down a notch. The people he considered family were safe. He stole a glance at Chris and Kane. The tense set of their jaws matched the tension in the room. They’d all rest easier once Hudson delivered the precious cargo to headquarters.

Regret bubbled in Nic’s throat like a rancid batch of moonshine. “I should have asked for help sooner, and I’m sorry. I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time or resources on just a hunch, especially since I didn’t think I had anyone in my life who the alleged killer would go after.”

Ryan stepped to the head of the sleek silver table and pressed a button underneath. At the far end of the long room, a screen the size of the wall rolled down. A section of the table slid back. A technology console rose as Ryan sat in a plush black leather chair. “I know Stella’s brother is a good friend, but did you have a connection with any of the other women besides serving with their significant others?”

“No.”

Chris rounded the conference table. “I see what you’re getting at. Each death appears to be a buildup. Not bothering to make the last one look like an accident is a clear message.”

Linc sat in a chair next to Chris and rocked back. “A fucked-up message.”

Nic leaned against the doorframe, too keyed up to sit, but too exhausted to stand straight any longer. “After Stella’s body was found three days ago, I began connecting the dots. I did my own research to see if I could find anybody in the reporter’s life who might want to avenge her death and came up short.”

Ryan looked up from the technology console. “The reporter was Rachel Matthews with Capitol News Media, correct?”

“Yes.” Hearing her name sickened Nic’s stomach. “Getting intel for a story on Middle Eastern drug trafficking wasn’t the only reason she embedded herself in our unit.” And in my bed. “She was there to do business.”

Ryan tapped his keyboard. A report from Homeland Security appeared on the screen detailing evidence uncovered after her death that tied her to a drug-smuggling ring.

“Shit, that woman was dirty.” Linc whistled through his teeth.

Nic’s shoulder and hip flared with phantom pain. If only he’d seen the filth under her facade.

Kane looked away from the screen and turned a murderous look to Nic. “You think this woman is responsible for what happened to Olivia and Gran?”

“If someone from Rachel’s life is seeking revenge, targeting Gran makes sense, since I don’t have any family. As for Olivia, I mentioned before that there might be another possible explanation.”