Page 72 of Lost and Found
“Or maybe Rhys,” Dean continued. “Either way, except for the investigation, you’ll be off the hook.”
“If you speak to Viv before I do, tell her not to make any decisions yet. I need to talk to her.”
“Uh, yeah. Sure. Is everything okay?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
Dean chortled. “Easy, killer. Something sounded off. That’s all. No big deal.”
“Everything’s fine.”
Wes ended the call and pulled up his text messages. Telling Vivian how to do her job wouldn’t fly, but he had little choice. He sent a brief message, but she didn’t respond right away.
Grumbling, he shoved his phone into his pocket. Bailey was still watching him through the glass. He schooled his expression and went back inside.
She didn’t miss a beat. “What’s wrong? What did Dean say?”
“He was giving me a heads-up.”
“About?”
“Viv thinks you should use one of Titan’s safe houses.”
Bailey’s mouth rounded into a surprised frown. “What does that mean? She wants us to go somewhere else?”
“A place we can guarantee as secure. We have safe houses globally, but she’ll probably suggest Granite Creek.”
Her lips pinched together. “That’s your home base?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
He grimaced. “Honestly…I made a stink about working with you.”
“Oh yeah.” She laughed. “I forgot that you hated me not all that long ago.”
“Well, now she thinks Eli or Decker should take over your day-to-day, and I’ll just be around if needed for the investigation.”
“Tell her no.”
He drummed his fingers on the table. “I texted her that we needed to talk.”
“What if you stayed with us? Not like with me,” she quickly added. “But around us. Instead of you staying at your hotel.”
Could he stay with this woman he was suddenly envisioning a future with without crossing the line of the yet-to-be-defined parameters? Of course he could. Even if it would consume him. “Do you want me staying with you while we continue what we’re doing? Until you have the threat under control?”
She pressed her lips together, then nodded, a beautiful smile on her face. “Yes. Let’s do it.”
Chapter Seventeen
They neared the Cosgrove estate as the afternoon sun hung high overhead. Stir-crazy and ready to see Matt, Bailey watched the GPS tick down the minutes when a text from Mary Lacey popped up on her phone.
Mary Lacey: I had my phone in a locker and just saw your message. We’re still at the splash park. Should we head back to meet you ASAP?
Bailey: I could come there, and Matt can keep playing.
Mary Lacey: Whatever is easiest for you.
