Hidden Impact (Safeguard #1)(8)

“Hey.”

She looked at him, responding to the sharp command in his tone.

“You’re under my protection now. Centurion Corporation isn’t about to give them another opening to get to you.” He turned his head and his gaze burned into her for a long moment before he turned his attention back to the road. “We’ve lost your tail and I’m taking you out of the city. The rest we can start on in the morning. It’s going to be okay.”

His words sank in, and for the first time since she’d gone to the airport to pick up her little sister—and not found her—Maylin started to hope.

“So you’re going to help me find my sister?” It was a tenacious thing, this feeling, and she held her breath waiting for his answer.

He sighed. “I’m going to listen to what you know about your little sister’s disappearance. I can’t promise you’ll find her.”

She fell silent and stared out the window as the city lights gave way to the darkness of highway. Trees were huge shadows beyond the sides of the roads. She knew exactly what she wanted to say this time, but the majority of it was nasty, bad-tempered and definitely ill-advised considering how much he’d already helped her. Plus, his actions had only convinced her more that he and the Centurion Corporation were the help she needed.

“You’re not going to recommend a private investigator in the morning, though, are you?” And there was only a minimal amount of snark there. Honest. She’d tried.

“No.” His tone had gone flat.

See? Not wise. At all. And not even a leftover fortune cookie stashed in her purse to help her get back to firmer ground.

“I’m sorry.” Sincerity was the best she could dredge up. “I’m not sure how to give you the information you need, and I really want to present it in the most convincing way possible.”

“We’re going to want to hear out your whole story when you’re better rested.” His words had defrosted a bit. “You’ll be able to think clearer and won’t be as likely to fumble any details. My entire team will be asking you questions—not just me—and we’ll need to do some research.”

“But time...”

“I’ll be using what little we have left of tonight to find out what I can about your new friends. They’re the most immediate link to what’s going on and probably connected to your sister’s disappearance. I will not be wasting time.”

So much confidence, assurance. She wanted to believe him.

“I really want to say you should get rest too. But I want you to get closer to figuring out what happened tonight and how it relates to An-mei more.” She cleared her throat. “Wherever it is we’re going... I don’t have a hosting gift. Does it have a kitchen and can I make you breakfast as a thank-you instead?”

He laughed again and flashed her a grin.

She was unreasonably giddy in response. “So do you like omelets? Or eggs Benedict?”





Chapter Three

Gabe pulled up next to the guest cabin and put the car into Park.

The last twenty minutes of the car ride had been quiet, peaceful even, as the twilight gave way to dawn and the events of the night had finally taken their toll on Maylin Cheng. She sat slumped in the passenger seat, her head tipped far to one side as she napped.

Impressive. As a soldier, he’d learned to nap anywhere, but she looked damned uncomfortable. Considering the best way to make sure she didn’t fall on her face the minute she got out of the car, he opted to disembark and walk around to the passenger side. Opening the door, he spoke quietly, trying not to scare the bejeezus out of her. “Maylin. Hey.”

She woke with a start, sitting bolt upright and pinning him with a wide-eyed stare.

So much for not scaring her. He held up his hands to show he meant no harm. “Remember me? Gabriel Diaz.”

Her eyes remained wild for a moment before recognition eased into them. “Ngh.”

He wasn’t sure she’d spoken coherently in any language.

“Let’s get you settled in to the guest cabin.” He took both her hands in his and helped her out of the car.

She bumped her head on the way out.

“Whoop. Careful there.” He sucked at this. If she ended up with a second bump, he had no good excuse for letting it happen. Thank god she didn’t have a concussion.

Her eyelids shuttered closed. She was asleep on her feet. Literally.

“Hey, c’mon.”

No dice. Her eyes fluttered open and she focused on him for a moment before her lids were too heavy to lift again. He led her forward a couple of steps and she stumbled with him, blind.

Okay, fine. She was exhausted. He could understand that. And he should not have let her bump her head again, however lightly. She didn’t have a drop of energy left in her.

Giving up, he let her stand for a second. He bent over and gently put his shoulder into her midriff, hefting her over his shoulder. He could’ve been chivalrous and shit about carrying her in his arms but then he wouldn’t have a hand free to get the door to the cabin open.

Either he was going to regret having met Maylin Cheng or she was going to hate him. One or the other.

*

“It’s not like you to bring home strays.” The voice in the dark wasn’t angry or malicious. In fact, Lizzy had a way of maintaining the kind of completely neutral tone that left a man wondering if he’d see the dawn.