Read Online Lie by Night: An Out of Darkness novel (Entangled Ignite) by Cathy Marlowe - Free Book Online
Book: Lie by Night: An Out of Darkness novel (Entangled Ignite) by Cathy Marlowe
Read Free Book Online
Authors: Cathy Marlowe
Ads: Link
books. The clock from the mantle joined the odd array of items on the floor.
Realization dawned, and she snorted silently, not overly impressed with Cole’s back up plan. With a glance at him, she limped through the minefield and settled into the oversized chair. Feet tucked beneath her, she reached into her pocket to remove the anonymous note. She opened it and smoothed the well-worn folds, searching in vain for some missed clue that would lead her to her brother. Nothing . Her only clue, the warehouse, was destroyed thanks to Cole.
The object of her frustration slept peacefully. Yesterday’s warrior didn’t look so fierce now. Her brow furrowed. What kind of bodyguard was he if he could sleep through her leaving the bed and moving around? She hadn’t exactly been quiet.
She laid the note in her lap. The warehouse was gone, but she’d find another clue—and another after that if necessary—and she wouldn’t stop until she found Jacob. No matter how long it took.
Her gaze settled on Cole. No matter whom she had to use.
She peered at the paper in the dim light, but in her mind’s eye, she saw Jacob’s note.
Treason. Trust no one.
No one.
Carefully, she folded the message, anxious to get her clothes back and continue the search.
The note had led her to the warehouse, and, tenuous though it might be, Cole was now her only link to it. Tomorrow, she’d demand answers.
As she drifted toward sleep, she prayed Cole would lead her to her brother.
…
Awakened by her first movement, Cole watched through slitted lids. Even if he’d been inclined to fall back asleep, she made a lot of noise for someone so obviously trying to be quiet. He lay still, waiting until she drifted off.
When he was certain she slept, he sat up, somewhat rested. He had work to do.
Rising, he cleaned up the floor. Once all items had been returned to their places, he paused and watched Emma sleep. Certain she remained deep in slumber, he retrieved his backpack. Placing it on the bed, he opened the main compartment and found the hidden zipper in the back.
He removed his tablet from its padded resting place, smiling over the fact that Emma had missed finding it in her hurried search for weapons.
Once he powered up the device, he linked in to Weston Security’s server, where he reviewed the frustratingly small amount of information Zach had uncovered while they slept—satellite pictures of the explosion, photos of men who matched the descriptions Cole had provided. Browsing through photo after photo of Forrester’s known associates, he finally hit pay dirt. Manuel Rodrigues, age twenty-nine, was the man who’d attacked him on the beach. A known killer with a history of running drugs and weapons. And Emma had almost faced him and his henchmen alone.
A chill ran down his spine.
No updates on Forrester’s whereabouts.
He made a few quick notes for Zach, then switched his attention to flight plans and hotels. Emma didn’t know it yet, but they were headed for France to see Cherise, who they now suspected of harboring information about Jacob’s activities as well as Alistair’s location. Although they didn’t have positive proof of her connection beyond her failed relationship with Jacob, she’d shown up in the matrix of events too many times for Cole to consider it random—her relationship with Jacob had coincided with his recruitment by Alistair; her unexplained presence in Cole’s hotel room had destroyed a budding and valuable friendship with Jacob; she frequented a Parisian bakery known to be one of Alistair’s information drops.
Coincidence? Maybe. But Cole wasn’t a big believer in coincidence.
Unfortunately, she was also the woman who’d blown his fledgling relationship with Emma to hell. As if his investigation of Jacob wouldn’t have been enough to destroy any possibility of a relationship. That’s the real reason he hadn’t followed Emma and tried to explain he had no memory of the night with Cherise. He had been
Realization dawned, and she snorted silently, not overly impressed with Cole’s back up plan. With a glance at him, she limped through the minefield and settled into the oversized chair. Feet tucked beneath her, she reached into her pocket to remove the anonymous note. She opened it and smoothed the well-worn folds, searching in vain for some missed clue that would lead her to her brother. Nothing . Her only clue, the warehouse, was destroyed thanks to Cole.
The object of her frustration slept peacefully. Yesterday’s warrior didn’t look so fierce now. Her brow furrowed. What kind of bodyguard was he if he could sleep through her leaving the bed and moving around? She hadn’t exactly been quiet.
She laid the note in her lap. The warehouse was gone, but she’d find another clue—and another after that if necessary—and she wouldn’t stop until she found Jacob. No matter how long it took.
Her gaze settled on Cole. No matter whom she had to use.
She peered at the paper in the dim light, but in her mind’s eye, she saw Jacob’s note.
Treason. Trust no one.
No one.
Carefully, she folded the message, anxious to get her clothes back and continue the search.
The note had led her to the warehouse, and, tenuous though it might be, Cole was now her only link to it. Tomorrow, she’d demand answers.
As she drifted toward sleep, she prayed Cole would lead her to her brother.
…
Awakened by her first movement, Cole watched through slitted lids. Even if he’d been inclined to fall back asleep, she made a lot of noise for someone so obviously trying to be quiet. He lay still, waiting until she drifted off.
When he was certain she slept, he sat up, somewhat rested. He had work to do.
Rising, he cleaned up the floor. Once all items had been returned to their places, he paused and watched Emma sleep. Certain she remained deep in slumber, he retrieved his backpack. Placing it on the bed, he opened the main compartment and found the hidden zipper in the back.
He removed his tablet from its padded resting place, smiling over the fact that Emma had missed finding it in her hurried search for weapons.
Once he powered up the device, he linked in to Weston Security’s server, where he reviewed the frustratingly small amount of information Zach had uncovered while they slept—satellite pictures of the explosion, photos of men who matched the descriptions Cole had provided. Browsing through photo after photo of Forrester’s known associates, he finally hit pay dirt. Manuel Rodrigues, age twenty-nine, was the man who’d attacked him on the beach. A known killer with a history of running drugs and weapons. And Emma had almost faced him and his henchmen alone.
A chill ran down his spine.
No updates on Forrester’s whereabouts.
He made a few quick notes for Zach, then switched his attention to flight plans and hotels. Emma didn’t know it yet, but they were headed for France to see Cherise, who they now suspected of harboring information about Jacob’s activities as well as Alistair’s location. Although they didn’t have positive proof of her connection beyond her failed relationship with Jacob, she’d shown up in the matrix of events too many times for Cole to consider it random—her relationship with Jacob had coincided with his recruitment by Alistair; her unexplained presence in Cole’s hotel room had destroyed a budding and valuable friendship with Jacob; she frequented a Parisian bakery known to be one of Alistair’s information drops.
Coincidence? Maybe. But Cole wasn’t a big believer in coincidence.
Unfortunately, she was also the woman who’d blown his fledgling relationship with Emma to hell. As if his investigation of Jacob wouldn’t have been enough to destroy any possibility of a relationship. That’s the real reason he hadn’t followed Emma and tried to explain he had no memory of the night with Cherise. He had been
Similar Books
