From Sanctum with Love (Masters and Mercenaries #10)(100)

From a serial killer. That was what Special Agent Rush had described, what he thought Jared Johns was. According to the FBI agent, Jared had killed all across the globe. He’d been vivid in his description.

Kori still hadn’t explained things to Sarah. Mia and Sarah had been sitting on a bench in the station house when Kori had been released by Rush. He’d explained that he had other witnesses to talk to before he made a decision, and he might need to meet with her again tomorrow. She’d slumped down next to her friends and wondered what fresh hell tomorrow would bring.

Obviously tonight wasn’t quite over. Erin could be like a dog with a bone. Kori was done pretending. After what had happened with Lena, it would all come out anyway. “Mia is a reporter. Case was investigating her. I don’t think it’s safe for her to go home since she’s been tracking a serial killer and he struck tonight.”

Sarah gasped. “I heard that rumor but I didn’t think it was true.” She shook her head. “It’s not him. It’s not. I’m going to bed because I’m not going to listen to anyone say he’s a killer. He might be an *, but he wouldn’t hurt me.”

Sarah turned and walked toward the guest bedroom.

“Well, I’ve lost enough friends tonight. I’ll call a cab. You won’t see me again,” Mia promised. “I’ll go home and help the police from there. I’m sorry I hurt you, Kori. I never meant to do that. I only meant to honor my friend.”

“Wow, that’s some girl drama there.” Erin stepped in front of the door. “You’ll go and sit down and we’ll work this out like two grown-ass females because the men have f*cked up everything, it seems to me. The minute he found out you lied on your application, Case should have sat you down and had a conversation. You’ll have to forgive him. He often thinks with his dick, and his dick is not smart.”

Mia tensed, her body stiffening, and Kori hoped she hadn’t managed to fit her gun in that tiny bag. “I don’t think that’s necessary. I have what I needed. At least the police know what’s going on.”

“Yes, they arrested Jared while I was there,” Erin said calmly. “Did you convince them? I take it this is all about your friend. The one who died in Canada.”

Kori felt her stomach flip. They’d arrested Kai’s brother? Had Kai known what was going on with Jared? According to Rush he’d been involved in this sting operation, but it was hard to believe. If he could give up his brother like that, why did she think for a second he would give a shit about her?

“How did you know?” Mia moved back in the living room.

Erin followed her. “Because I don’t have a dumb dick that makes decisions for me. Case and Kai ran an op tonight. I figured that out because Hutch is the one who programmed that device that downloaded your phone. The minute I told him Case and Kai were at the police station, he gave himself away. That boy can’t play poker to save his life. When he’s trying to lie he frowns and looks totally ridiculous. Lying or subterfuge is the only time that boy gets serious. So when he reacted to Case and Kai getting hauled in for questioning, I knew I was on to something. It was a short hop and a few threats and Hutch was telling me everything. Your brother is Andrew Lawless. He’s the CEO of a company called 4L Software. I think Hutch got a little horny when he said your brother’s name.”

So Kai had definitely been working for Case and McKay-Taggart to figure out what Mia had been up to. Why all the subterfuge? Kori sank down on Erin’s couch. She’d been over here a couple of times, but only once when Theo had been with her. They’d only lived here together a week or so before they’d gone on the op that led to Theo’s death. The way she understood it, Theo had surprised Erin with the house after they’d returned from working in Africa. Kori remembered the night she’d come out with some of the guys who’d installed Theo and Erin’s fire pit. They’d made margaritas and ordered pizza and toasted the new house around the fire they’d lit. Those same guys she’d sat with that night had been in on the plot. They hadn’t thought twice about Kai using her. She’d been a pawn.

One more memory ruined.

How many holes could a person have before they weren’t really there anymore? How many pieces could she lose before she simply stopped trying?

“You should know that if anything happens to me, my brother will move heaven and earth to find me.” Mia was still standing like a trapped animal ready to run at the first opportunity.

“Sit down, Mia. She’s not going to hurt you.” Kori was so tired of all the lies.

Erin sat down across from the couch, leaning back. “I wouldn’t say that. If I don’t find out what I want, I might cut a bitch.”

“She doesn’t mean that.” Kori patted the seat beside her. Sometimes she thought Erin had been born to be a Taggart wife. Sarcasm and a little streak of violence had been bred into her DNA.

Mia ignored the couch and stepped up to Erin. Her voice went low. “Don’t let the blonde hair fool you. I’m not about to back off a fight. You want to come at me, we’ll see who wins. My brother might have all the money in the world now, but I didn’t grow up that way. I fought for everything I have and I’ll f*cking fight you too, if I have to. I won’t pull hair or try to bitch slap you. I’ll go for the kill and I’ll do it quick.”