like Liam. They had that in common, and it had brought them closer.
He wanted to be surprised to see any emotion from her at all because he’d wanted to think of her as coldhearted; that way her betrayal wouldn’t hurt nearly as much.
“I never meant for any of it to happen, and I’m truly sorry you think I destroyed your life.”
Liam didn’t want to see the sincerity in her eyes. His chest contracted. He nodded, letting her know he’d heard her and that was the end of this conversation. He turned to walk away again, and this time she didn’t follow. The truth was, she hadn’t destroyed his life. He’d wanted a reason to get out, and she had given him that. But the cost had been high. Maybe too high.
He walked through the resort and forced his mind back to Brad’s offer of head of security. Austin’s offer to work with him in private investigating. Heath’s offer to remain on Emerald M Guest Ranch and help run the place and expand.
But his thoughts drifted back to Rae in spite of his efforts to stay on track. Rae. He loathed the sound of her whispered name in his head.
At the exit, he pushed through the revolving door as he zipped his coat, then tromped outside where huge flakes of snow landed on him. Brad had done well for himself, but he’d come from a wealthy family with the kinds of connections to pull something like this off—all the legalities and paperwork and expensive real estate. Liam never doubted that Brad would do something big, though his friend had never had anything to prove.
Liam turned around to take in the posh resort—just what this valley needed, another ski resort. With four stories, it almost looked like an apartment building. Liam considered Brad’s plans for expansion—at least what he’d read in the resort brochure—including adding private cabins and heli-ski tours. Brad could never expand unless he owned the land or made use of a forest service lease.
Liam let his gaze slide down the roof and to the window, where he had the misfortune of spotting Rae sitting at a booth next to a panoramic window. She stared at her cell, then lifted it to her ear while she typed on a tablet.
Whatever story she was after now—oh, wait, she said she’d lost her job. Hmm. Whoever she was trying to save now, he hoped she wasn’t digging into the dark underworld Liam had tried to protect her from before.
She wasn’t good at that part of her job. Hadn’t she figured that out yet? He’d heard all about her father’s career going into war zones. What Rae didn’t seem to comprehend was that her father had also had a photographer along, as well as a few soldiers surrounding him. Rae might not have been on foreign soil, but she’d gone into war zones all the same—without trained soldiers to protect her.
Who would save her this time? She was going to get caught. Liam just hoped this guy wasn’t as bad as those he’d had to protect her from before.
Liam turned and looked at his truck sitting across the parking lot. All he had to do was keep walking. He shook his head at his rotten bad luck that she’d shown up. Then he turned around and walked back through the revolving door of the ski resort.
He strolled into the café to find a seat, taking the same booth he’d shared with Brad. He hadn’t intended to follow her, and this would be the end of it. Still, he was curious about her next victim.
A text came through. Liam glanced at his cell and his gut tightened.
Heath.
Are you still at the resort?
Liam wished he knew how to dodge that question.
Why?
Oh, never mind.
Confused by Heath’s question and reply, Liam started to ask his own questions. He glanced up when a foursome entered and headed straight for his booth.
Heath grinned and slid in next to Liam, forcing him over. His new wife, Harper, squeezed in and sat entirely too close to Heath, red hair spilling over her white vest jacket. Liam was crushed against the wall. He grinned for their benefit. He could do this.
Austin and Willow sat across from them. “Hey, bro,” Austin said. “Looks like we’re not interrupting anything. You’re not waiting for anyone, are you?”
Liam kept his focus on Austin so he wouldn’t telegraph that he was there to shadow someone. “Nope.”
“Good.” Austin smiled and pecked Willow on the cheek. The two had