Grizz grabbed some sleeping bags out of a storage bin where he kept his camping gear. He handed Dani the bedding and pointed to his perch above the property. “I’ll be up there on overwatch.”
“Copy that.” She gave him a weak smile, and he prayed she’d take the opportunity to rest. The dark circles under her eyes betrayed her fatigue.
“Dani, please don’t go rogue on me. I know you have a big heart and want to help Sanchez as well as avenge Josh’s death by stopping these terrorists, but we have to wait for resources. Tomorrow we’ll be able to get the evidence to Rio. Until then, please rest.”
She nodded. “You can trust me. I’m following your lead. I’m willing to admit I’m out of my element. And you’ve kept me safe this far.”
There was that word again.Trust. The one thing Grizz didn’t give easily. Could he trust her not to race headfirst in harm’s way?
Kane and Sanchez remained in the camping chairs. Sanchez stared into space, and Kane acted as the overprotective brother. The Trouble Boys had always looked after Sanchez. They’d become a family, though Grizz speculated that Kane’s feelings were a little less like a brother and more romantically inclined. But Kane would throat punch him if he dared suggest it.
Grizz watched Dani curl up in the corner with the sleeping bag, and he headed to his loft. He used his night-vision goggles to watch for any signs of life. Darkness blanketed the mountainside due to the storm clouds churning through the sky. An occasional streak of lighting flashed, temporarily blinding him. He spotted Saxon in his second perimeter.
Grizz’s eyelids grew heavy. Maybe he should go inside and get some rest. Tomorrow, Rio should be able to reach them.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
Wait. Not thunder.
That was the sound of the garage door opening and closing. Grizz tore into the loft and flew down the stairs. He stared at the empty space where his motorcycle had been previously parked.
The sting of betrayal slapped him in the face. He moved in a circle around the middle of the outhouse garage. No sign of Sanchez or Kane.
But the biggest kick in the teeth was that Dani had left with them.
So much for trust.
SEVEN
Grizz’s growlreverberated through the bathroom. Dani finished washing her face and cracked the door open to peek out, afraid of what she’d find.
She’d heard Kane and Sanchez whispering. Dani had pretended to sleep while they’d opened the garage door and rolled Grizz’s motorcycle out.
Should she have stopped them? Part of her had wanted to jump into action with them, but she knew Grizz wouldn’t approve. And Grizz’s approval meant something to her.
Not to mention that she wanted to personally hand the SIM card to Rio. Her job was to protect the evidence.
Dani watched Grizz pace the room, flexing his hands into fists at his side. Saxon returned from his patrol.
“She left.” Grizz mumbled something she couldn’t hear.
“We knew Sanchez was a flight risk. I wasn’t close enough to stop her. But Kane should have intervened. She must have worn him down.”
“Not Sanchez. Dani.”
“Dani’s gone too? I didn’t see her leave.”
Grizz huffed. “That girl is going to be the death of me. She’d trade her safety for a story any day.”
Was that what Grizz thought of her? Some career-driven, heartless woman?
“I knew I couldn’t trust her.” Those words cut through her like a knife. Grizz actually thought she’d run off to chase a story, exploiting Sanchez’s need to rescue her father.
Heat raced through her. Before she could second-guess her actions, she flung the bathroom door open. It clattered against the metal wall, echoing through the outhouse.
She marched toward Grizz, hands on hips. Saxon took ten steps backward and disappeared up the stairs toward the loft.
Dani pointed her finger right into Grizz’s chest. “You really think I’d sell you out for a story? That I don’t care about finding Sanchez’s father? I can’t believe you think I’m some kind of heartless monster that cares more about work than people.”
