Chapter Thirty-Four
“We have a tail,” Brantley told Reese as they headed toward Alluring Indulgence Resort.
He’d called his cousin to let him know he needed to talk, and Travis had directed them to meet at the resort.
Reese leaned forward, using the passenger side mirror to get a view of the vehicle.
“Black sedan,” Brantley said. “Government plates.”
“The FBI?” Reese asked.
“Looks like it.”
“I can’t see the driver. Is it a woman?”
“Not unless she’s got a buzz cut.” Which he figured was possible, but based on the size, he was pretty sure the driver was male.
“Not Allison, then?”
“Definitely not a tiny blonde, no. And I’m pretty sure it’s not Calloway, either. Younger.”
Whoever it was didn’t appear to be trying to conceal themselves. They remained behind them until they reached the resort’s parking lot. When Brantley pulled up to the valet station, the sedan kept driving.
“Well, I guess they don’t want to talk.” Brantley looked at Reese. “Let’s get this done so we can head down south and see what we can find.”
“Good morning, Mr. Walker,” the valet greeted as though Brantley made a habit of coming to the resort. Since he was positive he hadn’t seen the guy before, he had to assume whoever was manning their cameras had shared his name with the staff.
And yeah, it was still as awkward as it had been the last time he was there.
They made it into the lobby and over to the concierge desk after being greeted by two more employees, both using their names.
“That really is weird,” Brantley whispered to Reese.
“Good morning, Mr. Walker. I’ve been told to send you back when you get here. Mr. Walker is waiting for you.”
He had to smile because that just sounded ridiculous. “Thanks.”
They started toward the hallway that would lead to the offices when the door opened and the man who’d been following them walked in. He was wearing jeans and boots, a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
The guy looked vaguely familiar, but Brantley wasn’t sure why.
“Sir, you’ll need to check in at the desk,” the doorman instructed, doing his best to steer the guy in the right direction.
“I don’t need to check in,” the man said. “I need to talk to him.”
When the guy pointed his way, Brantley stopped and turned. “Do I know you?”
The man approached, and it was then that Brantley noticed he hadn’t shaved and his eyes were bloodshot. Either he was getting over a late night where he’d tied one on, or he was having a bad day. Whatever it was, the guy was not getting enough sleep.
“Kieran Elliott,” the man said, his eyes scanning the room.
Brantley frowned. “Slade’s brother?”
Continuing to look around, he nodded, then met Brantley’s gaze. “I need your help.”
“With?”
Kieran’s brown eyes, filled with determination and a hint of panic, settled on his face. “My partner’s missing. I need your help findin’ her.”
Shaking his head, Brantley said, “I’m sorry. My team can’t take on another case, we’re—”
“Her name’s Allison Bogart.”
Brantley’s spine went ramrod straight, and he felt Reese do the same beside him.
“I talked to Allison this mornin’,” Reese told Kieran. “She called me.”
Kieran’s eyes widened. “When?”
“Just before five.”
“Shit.”
“What makes you think she’s missin’?” Brantley asked, curious.
“We have a system. We check in every two hours, give or take ten minutes. I haven’t heard from her since last night.” Kieran looked at Reese. “What did she say to you?”
“That she needed to talk. We were supposed to meet at the diner around seven. She didn’t show.”
Kieran’s jaw bunched, a clear sign that news wasn’t what he’d hoped to hear.
“Do you work for the FBI, too?”
A quick nod was all Kieran offered as he stared around the space as though that might get him answers.
Someone cleared their throat behind him, causing Brantley to turn. Travis and Gage were walking their way, looking as formidable as ever.
“What’s goin’ on?” Travis asked, glancing between the three of them.
Brantley was wondering that, too. “That’s the million-dollar question.”
When their FBI friend turned around, Travis took a step closer. “Kieran?”
Watching the man, Brantley noticed something pass on his face, an unnamed emotion.
Gage stood beside Travis, taking in the newcomer. “You two know each other?”
“He’s my cousin,” Travis announced. “What’re you doin’ here?”
Gage pointed at Brantley. “Your cousin, too?”
Brantley shook his head. “Lorrie’s side.”
“Ah.”
Kieran swallowed hard, his gaze shifting, as though he couldn’t maintain eye contact with Travis.
“Y’all’ve probably met,” Travis said, “but it’s been a while. Kieran, this is my husband, Gage. Gage, Kieran Elliott.”
Again, Kieran did his best not to make eye contact, which made Brantley suspicious.
“Why are you here?” Travis repeated, pinning Kieran with a questioning expression.
“He says his partner’s missing,” Reese said, clearly unnerved by the silence.
“Partner?”
“FBI,” Reese explained. “He works with Allison Bogart.”
“How long’ve you two worked together?” Brantley asked.
“Six months,” Kieran said, seeming to find the toe of his boot fascinating.
“Doing what?”
His gaze lifted, coming to rest on Brantley’s face. “An undercover assignment.”
Jesus, it was like pulling teeth. “Focused on?”
Kieran swallowed again, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Censorious.”
Brantley’s shoulders tensed. “Meaning what? That you’ve infiltrated the group?’
He nodded. “Allison was already workin’ with them. I was handpicked to go in, pretend to be interested in their work.”
Brantley did not like the direction this was going. “You do know Allison’s in Calloway’s pocket, right?”
Kieran grimaced. “Not by choice, I assure you.”
Putting his hands on his hips, he squared off with Kieran. “And your role?”
“Ultimately, I’m responsible for gettin’ her out, but…”
“But what?”
When Kieran didn’t respond, Brantley’s frustration level reached its tipping point. He took a step closer. “What aren’t you tellin’ us, Kieran?”
Kieran’s brown eyes widened, and there was something in them … something that looked a lot like … fear.
If it weren’t for the fact that Brantley was desperate for answers, he would’ve felt sorry for Kieran. Whatever it was that the man was holding back was clearly difficult for him.
Unfortunately, Brantley had surpassed his capacity for empathy.
Travis stood there, waiting for his cousin to share whatever was bothering him.
It was urgent based on the man’s expression.
And likely personal if Kieran’s avoidance of eye contact was anything to go by.
Not that they were close or anything, but Kieran was family, so he thought that meant something.
Taking a step forward, he decided to get this show on the road. “Look. I’m sure Brantley’ll help you look for your partner, but right now—”
“I know where Kylie is,” Kieran blurted.
A roaring sound erupted between his ears as he stared at the man, wondering if he’d heard him correctly.
“Where?” Reese insisted, stepping forward, inserting himself between Travis and Kieran.
“I can’t tell you. Not until you agree to help me.”
The roaring intensified, as did the fury that propelled him forward. Before he knew he was doing it, Travis had shoved Reese out of the way and had Kieran by the shirt, jerking him forward.
“Tell me,” he seethed. “Where the fuck is she?”
Kieran’s eyes were wide, but he didn’t back down. He shook his head. “Not until—”
Travis released his grip on Kieran’s shirt, causing him to stumble back. He lunged, then threw a punch that glanced off the man’s jaw. He threw another and another, and he would’ve continued if it weren’t for Brantley and Gage pulling him off of him.
“Let me go,” Travis insisted, lurching forward, not finished beating on the man.
“Travis, stop,” Gage said firmly, speaking right in his ear. “This isn’t helping.”
Maybe not, but it made him feel better.
“I’ll take you to her,” Kieran spat, wiping the blood from his lip. “Goddammit, Travis.”
Travis was vibrating. Every cell in his body was hyped and alert.
Kieran’s gaze swung to Brantley. “But I need your help.”
“We’ll help you,” Reese stated, the lone source of reason in the sea of chaos. “We will. But if you know where Kylie is…”
“Is she alive?” Gage asked, his voice trembling.
Kieran looked at him, a wealth of sympathy flooding his face. “Yes. And she’s safe. For now.”
Brantley shoved forward. “Was that a threat?”
“No! Jesus Christ.” Kieran’s expression turned hard. “I got Kylie out of there. Allison and I are the reason she’s alive right now.”
Travis growled. “You won’t be for long if you don’t fuckin’ tell me where she is.”
Kieran looked around, as though realizing for the first time that there were other people. “I can’t tell you. It’s not safe for her. But I can take you.” He looked at Brantley. “Just promise me, you’ll help me find Allison after.”
“Yes. Of course. After,” he hissed. “Now where the fuck is she?”
“You can follow me,” Kieran told him.
Travis shook his head. “Bullshit. You’ll ride with me and Gage. You navigate. I’ll drive.”
“Fine.”
“We’ll follow,” Brantley stated, gesturing toward the door.
Travis led the way.