Relentless (Option Zero #2) - Christy Reece Page 0,87

as Charlie was close to seven feet tall and probably weighed twice as much as Liam. The other guy was shorter than average and thin as a whip. They both were holding their Glock 45’s at the ready and had the expressions of junkyard dogs at feeding time.

“Good timing, Hudson.”

“We aim to please. This here’s Trey.” His eyes bloodshot, likely from an all-nighter, Charlie took in the three tied-up men. “Look’s like you made a nice catch.”

“Just make sure they stay caught.”

“No worries on that,” Charlie assured him.

Enjoying himself, Liam watched Charlie haul Drury over his shoulder like a bag of flour. Upside down and furious, his face blood red, the man cocked his head and sneered, “You’ll get yours, Stryker.”

Deciding he’d give the guy a break, Liam didn’t respond.

Drury bounced against Charlie’s broad shoulder as he was carried away. Charlie’s partner rounded up the other two men, who thanks to the hard knocks on their heads, were subdued.

“Might want get them checked out,” Liam called after them.

Charlie lifted a hand in acknowledgment seconds before he rounded the corner and disappeared from view.

Satisfied at the day’s work, Liam picked up his knife, wiped it against his leg and returned it to the sheath.

He spotted his gun lying beneath a dumpster where one of the goons had thrown it when they jumped him. Took a few minutes to fish it out. He wiped it down as best he could. He’d had the SIG since he’d started working for OZ and was a stickler about keeping it in pristine condition.

On the way back to his car, he checked his messages. He’d turned his notifications to silent and hadn’t checked them since he’d texted Aubrey this morning.

Frowning at the display, he was more than a little concerned to see that he had several missed calls, a couple of texts, plus a voice mail from Aubrey. He clicked on the message.

Hey, it’s me. So listen, I’m on a flight to LA. My cousin got fired from her job and needs a shoulder to cry on. Don’t worry about me. That…uh guy…he’s not a threat anymore. He was killed a few hours ago. Sorry, I know this is a weird message, but I don’t know what I can say in a voice mail. You’re going to need to teach me some covert words or something. Anyway, I’ll call you as soon as I can. And…well, I love you, in case you didn’t know it. See you soon.

Liam took off running to his car. Ferante was dead and Aubrey was going back to LA unprotected? No way in hell this was a coincidence.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

LAX

Los Angeles, California

The two-hour-and-twenty-minute flight from Missoula to LA had given Aubrey plenty of time to think. By the time she arrived at the airport, she was sure she had made one of the biggest mistakes of her life. What if this was all a ruse to get her out in the open?

Her rational mind told her she was being ridiculous. Ferante’s death had absolutely nothing to do with Becca being fired from the film. The man was dead, so there would be no threat from him anymore. It was just one of those odd coincidences that happened from time to time. She was silly for even imagining the two were related.

The more intuitive part of her brain told her to beware. The fine hairs on the nape of her neck added to her concern. Paranoia wasn’t altogether a bad thing. Not when it came to staying alive. It was something she’d gotten used to, but somehow with Liam, she’d let her guard down. She had been safe and secure and felt no danger. That feeling had disappeared.

If she’d had more time to think about things, perhaps she wouldn’t have rushed to LA. That couldn’t be helped now. The plane was landing, and she was here whether she should be or not.

Becca was to meet her in baggage claim, and as the plane was barely five minutes late, she was likely already there waiting.

Grabbing her carry-on from the overhead compartment, Aubrey followed the rest of the passengers off the plane and into the airport. She gave herself a stern lecture as she made her way to baggage claim. She was surrounded by hundreds of people. No one was going to try anything here. And why would they? Ferante had been the only threat. He had known she would expose him, so he had threatened her. Now that he was out of the picture,