“It’s a safe room. A place to enjoy the outdoors without actually being outdoors. There’s an indoor pool just around the corner and behind the same bulletproof glass that currently surrounds us.”
Her eyes widened. “Do you have that many enemies?”
“Yes.”
She hadn’t quite expected his terse, blunt response, and if she’d thought he’d go into further detail or perhaps elaborate, she was completely wrong. He said nothing more and instead drew out a phone and began punching a series of numbers.
Rio waited while the call connected, capturing Grace from the corner of his eye. She’d turned away but her body posture was stiff. Agitation rolled from her, almost tangible in the quiet. Then she paced a few steps, turned, and he could see her hands clenched tightly together.
When the line opened, Rio uttered the password and then Sam was there, immediately brisk and all business.
“Rio, what the f**k is going on? Where are you and is Grace okay?”
Rio lifted a brow. “Is there any reason she shouldn’t be? She’s with me and recovering well.”
“I got a call from Resnick. It would appear you have a problem that isn’t entirely exclusive to Grace.”
Rio almost laughed. Like that was anything new?
“Cut the bullshit, Sam. Just tell me what he said. I assume you mentioned Titan to him.”
“Yeah. He said that as of two years ago they no longer unofficially existed. They were disbanded and retired.”
Rio snorted. “That’s a pretty damn naïve assessment from someone who should damn well know better. Does he think just because the government no longer had a use for them that they’d just go away quietly, take up normal jobs, buy houses with picket fences and raise a brood of children?”
There was a long silence. “He said you were one of the original members of Titan.”
Yeah, Rio had figured that would come out. It wasn’t a shock. He’d be damned if he spent even a minute apologizing or explaining his past.
“What’s your point?” Rio asked.
Sam blew out his breath. “There is no point. Look, I know you’re a secretive bastard, but do you think at any time this would have been a good thing for me to know? If everything you and Resnick say about Titan is true, then you’ve put KGI in a dangerous situation. Groups like that don’t just let people walk away, as Resnick so eloquently put it. Which means they’ve probably been hunting your ass all along.”
“If they wanted me dead, I have no doubt I’d already be six feet under. Or in pieces somewhere.”
“You give them that much credit?”
“They’re the real deal, Sam. They aren’t amateurs or a bunch of boys playing at being G.I. Joe. I’m sure I’ve remained on their radar, but the man who took over after I left owed me. I saved his life. That and that alone is the reason I’m still breathing.”
“Just as long as I know where your loyalties lie,” Sam said quietly.
Rio was silent for a moment. He didn’t like being questioned even as he knew why Sahe bettm had to do it. “I’m here, Sam. I’m doing the job. That should be enough loyalty for you.”
“You should bring Grace in.”
“I don’t agree.”
Sam sighed. “You can’t keep her forever, Rio.”
“No, but I can damn well make sure I don’t put her in any more danger by exposing her and doing the very thing they expect me to do, which is reunite her with her sister.”
“I’ll agree to go along. For now,” Sam said. “I want frequent updates. We made a promise to Shea, one I’m not willing to back down on. Not after all she did for Nathan and Swanny.”
“Grace helped them too,” Rio said evenly. “They wouldn’t have made it out if not for her.”
“I’m not arguing that. I just want to make sure we make it right for both of them,” Sam said.
“For now she stays with me. Now, Grace wants to talk to Shea.”
Rio could all but hear the wheels turning in Sam’s head.
“She can’t use her telepathy,” Rio said quietly, hoping Grace couldn’t hear. “She’s too damaged. But she’s desperate to talk to Shea and I promised her I’d try to make it happen.”
Sam swore. “I can’t do it. Not yet.”
“What do you mean you can’t do it?” Rio snapped.
“It’s not that I don’t want to. I sent Nathan and Shea away. At your suggestion, I might add. They haven’t checked in with me yet. They’re still traveling. As soon as I hear from them, I’ll make the call happen. You have my word.”
Rio cursed under his breath and stole another glance in Grace’s direction. She was staring at him with hope in her eyes. Hope he had to now crush.
“I need this fast,” Rio said in a low voice.
“You’ll get it. Just give me time.”
“I don’t have it.”
“Nothing I can do, man. I’ll let Shea know what’s going on the minute I hear and then I’ll arrange the call.”
Rio muttered his agreement then ended the call. Even before he turned fully to Grace, he could feel her disappointment.
“What happened?” Grace demanded, her voice quivering. “Is she all right? Why can’t I talk to her?”
Rio framed her shoulders in his hands and squeezed. “Nathan has taken her somewhere safe. Sam’s going to let her know you want to talk to her as soon as they check in. I know you want to talk to her, Grace, but your safety—the safety of both of you—is the priority here.”