Catching Teardrops (MAC Security 5)

My smile widens as I read the last message over and over again. I don’t reply, instead I read it once more and lock the cell. Pushing it into my pocket, I look up and find Kim and Aiden’s attention focused on me.

“What?”

“Nothing!” Kim says at the same time Aiden says, “So... Luke, huh?”

LUKE

I head over to the warehouse, my head a mess, thoughts flying left, right, and center. I shouldn’t have told her what I was thinking, but my fingers were flying over the screen and sending the message before I could stop myself. Why the hell can’t there be a “take back” button?

I need to push it all out of my brain. I have too much going on right now, especially if Ty’s agreed to Charlie wanting to put me undercover.

Passing Ty, West, and Seb as they cross the compound toward Evan’s cabin, varying expressions on their faces, I tilt my head at them. Something must have happened with Darrell if they’re here. Even though we’ve been watching Evan when he’s been working for him, it’s been quiet the last couple of weeks.

Quiet is never good.

Although I say quiet, but after last night with Charlie and knowing there’s a mole somewhere, I’m on even higher alert.

Pushing into the warehouse before walking toward the kitchen, I grunt at Kitty and Kay as they sit talking and drinking coffee. Making myself a cup, I don’t say another word before sitting in my chair at the meeting table.

Ty walks in, Seb and West behind him, talking about what could be happening, but I don’t concentrate on any of that, instead I keep my gaze zoned in on Ty. When he finally looks at me, I raise a brow and he nods in reply, understanding my meaning and no doubt already having had a call from Charlie.

Kay and Kitty wander out of the kitchen, standing near the door as the sound of gravel crunching gets louder and the door opens, Evan walking inside with.... Lexi.

“Told you she stayed the night,” Kay comments.

After several seconds, Lexi clears her throat. “Kay? Do you think you could drop me off at home if it’s not too much trouble?”

“I’ve got to go shopping, you can come with if you want and then I can take you home.”

Evan pulls her closer, and I look away, not being able to get the image of Lily standing in my arms from my mind. I have to push it back, concentrate on what I do best and work the cases needing solved.

“Go back to the cabin, have a shower and chill out for a while,” Evan tells her.

Lexi’s gaze flicks to Ty before she looks back at him. “Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. Go and chill out and Kay will come and get you when she’s ready to leave.”

He pulls Lexi outside and I push my chair back, standing up. “Are we ever gonna discuss what we’re doing here or stand about staring at the new fucking couple?” I bark out.

My chest heaves, my temper starting to flare at all the fuckin’ dramatics. He shouldn’t have brought her in here, he fuckin’ knows that. Jesus, women turn men to fucking

mush. Another reason I need to stay away from Lily. There’s no way I’m gonna end up in that position. I don’t need any weaknesses, and that’s exactly what she’ll become.

Evan walks back in a few minutes later and finally we make a plan, although it’s not much of one considering we don’t know what the fuck Darrell’s next move will be.

I watch each of them in turn as we sit around the table, trying to decipher anything hidden in their eyes or body language that will give me hints to which one of them is the mole. I don’t trust Dean, West, or Seb, so all three are at the top of my fuckin’ list.

Once Evan, West, and Seb leave, Ty tilts his head at me. “I need to take Monty for a walk, you coming?”

I don’t answer him, I stand up and walk toward the warehouse door and pull it open before waiting for him on the gravel. He knows as well as I do after we found the device that it’s not safe to talk inside the warehouse at the moment.

We both stay silent as we walk through his house, getting Monty, and out the back toward the woods.

“Charlie called this morning.” I grunt, shoving my hands into my front pockets. “He wants you undercover, but I told him we have a lot going on at the moment.” He turns his head to face me. “And then he filled me in on the suspected mole.”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense. The whole thing last night screamed a setup. Thank fuck Charlie actually listened to me and called it off.”

We trudge through the woods, Ty seeming to think it all over before he says, “It makes sense.” He’s quiet a beat. “All this shit with Darrell and then this… there has to be a mole.” I nod, waiting for him to continue. “I still need you on Dean. There’s something not sitting right with him. But with Darrell too… I need you on top of your game, Luke.”