"Nova Wilde is in your cabin wearing sleep shorts and looking like she just crawled out of your bed. Want to explain that?"
"It's not what you think."
"No? Because what I think is that America's pop princess is hiding out in your fortress in the middle of nowhere, which means she's in some kind of trouble, which means you're working a job you didn't tell any of us about."
Sometimes I forget how quickly my brother's mind works, how easily he puts together puzzle pieces to form an accurate picture.
"It's classified," I say, knowing it won't satisfy him but needing time to decide how much to reveal.
"Bullshit. You're not CIA anymore, which means you're doing this privately, which means you're putting yourself at risk without backup." His eyes harden. "Spill it, Finn."
I sigh, moving to the coffee pot to buy myself a few moments to think. Cade is right. Working this alone puts both Nova and myself at risk. Having backup, especially backup I trust implicitly, would be an advantage.
"She has a stalker," I say finally, pouring two mugs of coffee and handing one to my brother. "It’s a high level threat. FBI's involved but hasn't caught him yet. I'm keeping her off grid until they do."
Cade takes a sip of coffee, processing this information with the quick efficiency of a tactical mind. "How high level?"
"Blood message on the bedroom mirror. Multiple home invasions. Surveillance photos from inside her house. And he was there, in her home, while I was extracting her."
"Jesus." Cade's expression darkens. "Professional?"
"Maybe. Her security team was compromised. Someone was feeding information."
"You're sure this place is secure? That no one followed you?"
"I'm sure." The question should irritate me, but I understand his concern. "Private jet to a rural airfield. Joe King picked us up, no one else involved. We've been here three days with no contact except Frank and the FBI liaison."
"And Harper's regular grocery deliveries," Cade points out. "She's been here, Finn. She could have been followed."
The thought sends ice through my veins. Harper wouldn't deliberately put us at risk, but she doesn't have my training or Cade's. She might not notice surveillance.
"You think someone's watching the property?"
"I think we should make sure." Cade sets down his coffee. "I did a perimeter check on my way in. Nothing obvious, but I wasn't looking for anything specific. Now I will be."
I nod, grateful for his expertise and the unquestioning way he shifts into protection mode. The McKenna instinct to guard what's ours runs deep.
"I'll come with you."
"No. You stay with her." Cade checks his weapon with practiced efficiency. "I'll be back in an hour. If I'm not, assume the worst and activate protocol seven."
Protocol seven. Full lockdown, followed by evacuation through the tunnel system. A contingency I've never had to use but always prepared for.
"An hour," I agree, memorizing the time. "Not a minute more."
Cade nods and moves to the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. "She's important to you."
It's not a question, but I answer anyway. "She's a client."
"Right." He doesn't believe me. "And I'm the fucking Easter Bunny."
Before I can respond, he's gone, slipping out the door and into the forest with the silent efficiency that made him legendary in special operations.
I stand there for a moment, processing the unexpected complication of my brother's arrival and the potential security risk it represents. Then I move to my security system, checking all perimeter feeds and sensors for any sign of intrusion or surveillance.
Everything appears normal, but Cade's concerns have me on high alert. The idea that someone might have followed Harper to my property, might be watching right now, waiting for an opportunity to strike, sends protective rage surging through me.
I'm so focused on the security screens that I don't hear Nova approach until she speaks from directly behind me.
