Page 89 of Beautiful Exile

Trace pulled back and stared down at me. “Who are you, and what did you do with my sister? You’re all agreeable.”

A laugh bubbled out of me. “You know, that’s a little insulting.”

One corner of Trace’s mouth kicked up. “Insulting or accurate?”

“Both, damn it.”

That only made him grin wider. “No one knows you like your siblings.”

Wasn’t that the truth? But as I studied him, once more taking in the presence of all three of them, the smile slipped from my face. “You found something.”

Trace’s expression shifted then, too. He lost some of the amusement, and his usual stoic mask slipped back into place. “Nothing concrete, but I brought Anson on board as a consultant.”

Anson scoffed. “What he means is that he paid me a dollar and made me sign a contract.”

“You accepted it,” Trace shot back.

“Thank you,” I cut in, meeting Anson’s stare. I knew it cost him to put those profiler shoes back on. And he only did it for the people he loved. Because he’d fallen so head over heels for Rhodes, he’d do it for me.

“It’s no big thing.”

“It is a big thing. And I appreciate it,” I said, steeling myself for whatever might come.

Trace shifted into official mode, his shoulders straightening, and his voice slipping into his no-nonsense tone. “We’re working this one from multiple angles. I’ve got the local push. Anson’s tackling the profile and connecting with his resources at the bureau, and Linc has provided some private resources.”

My gaze cut to Linc. “Private resources?”

He met my stare and didn’t look away. No part of him was intimidated by my challenge. I should’ve known as much. “I work with a security company out of Seattle. They have a different sort of resourcenetwork, along with a unique perspective on security systems and personal safety.”

“The one Cope used to upgrade the system here? Holt Hartley’s company, Anchor?” I asked.

Linc nodded. “Holt’s a silent partner now. He’s too busy running a search and rescue team in Washington.”

“Yeesh. Hero complex, much?” I muttered.

Linc’s lips twitched. “Not anymore. But he did design a new system for your workshop. The equipment already arrived. I’ve got an installer ready to go as soon as we finish clean-up in here.”

That twitchy feeling took root again, the one that sparked the not entirely rational fear that held me hostage. I did everything I could to shove it down.

“Do you really think that will change anything?” I asked. “There was a system on it when someone broke in.”

“That wasn’t exactly a system,” Trace cut in. “You have cameras and locks, but all it took was them cutting the external power source, and the cameras didn’t do shit. All we have is that one shot. This system will be hardwired to the power grid, and those lines will be buried, just like they are at Cope’s. We’ll do the same for your house.”

I battled not to argue. Logically, I knew it was the smart play. Knew I needed those precautions in place to keep me safe. But each new thing felt like a metal bar, and once they were all in place, I’d be in prison.

Linc moved in, reading my thoughts like a note scrawled on a page. “It’s not forever. Just for a little while. We’re going to find this asshole, and you won’t have to worry anymore. You can play that noise as loud as you want in the middle of the night with all your doors and windows open.”

“I’m gonna get a noise complaint from miles away,” Trace muttered.

“It’s good to have goals,” I shot back. But the humor I searched for in those words didn’t come.

Linc’s fingers slid through mine, squeezing. “Just a little while.Cope tried to hire a three-person bodyguard team, so be thankful I talked him down from that. The new system was our compromise.”

I gaped up at him. “A three-person bodyguard team?”

“Pretty sure he suggested a dozen at first,” Trace said.

“Jesus,” I mumbled. “I’ll take the security system.”

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