Say Goodbye (Romantic Suspense #25) by Karen Rose

            “I don’t know. But I also didn’t have anyone I cared about like that back then. You do.”

            I do. It was no longer a question in his mind. I’m so sorry, Tory, but I do.

            “Would Tory have wanted you to be alone? To feel like this?” Rafe waved his phone, Tom’s photo still filling the screen.

            “No.” Of that he was certain. “She wouldn’t have, but . . .” He closed his eyes, unable to look at his own face any longer. “She was pregnant. Only two months, but . . .”

            “Oh my God,” Rafe breathed. “I’m so sorry.”

            Tom was startled to realize that the searing pain had started to numb somewhat. “Me too.”

            Rafe was quiet for a moment. “I can’t even imagine how much that hurts.”

            Tom shrugged uncomfortably. “I’m not sure that it changes what you’ve said. Tory still would have wanted me to move on. I’m not sure that it’s possible now, though. I hurt Liza, without even meaning to. She left. I’m not even sure we’ll be friends again.”

            Rafe sighed. “You want my opinion?”

            Tom laughed, startling himself. “You’re asking me now?”

            Rafe grinned. “I’m my mother’s son. I’m nosy, but polite about it.” His grin faded. “I haven’t known Liza long, but I’m a pretty good judge of character. Liza has a giving heart and she is loyal. Maybe even to a fault. Definitely at the risk to her own safety.”

            Tom’s eyes flashed to Rafe’s. Did he know about Sunnyside?

            Rafe’s eyes narrowed. “I’m coming back to that look on your face, Hunter. But first, I’m going to say that my money’s on Liza forgiving your sorry ass. Now, what else do you know that I don’t? This is what you wanted to tell me tomorrow, isn’t it?”

            Tom nodded. “You might want to sit down.”

            Rafe pulled up a chair. “Talk.”

            Tom did, telling him about Pastor and Sunnyside Oaks, and Liza getting a job there. When he finished, Rafe was equal parts stunned and furious. Which Tom had anticipated.

            “You knew where he was and didn’t tell us?”

            Tom sighed. “What would you have done? Stormed the place? We know where Pastor is. According to his chart, he’s supposed to be there for six weeks. We don’t know where Belmont is and he’s the biggest risk. But we’re looking for him. I promise you that. But we’re hoping to entice Pastor to tell us where Eden is, or at least to overhear him and DJ talking about it. Our goals are to find Eden, either use Pastor to lure DJ to the rehab center or wait for him to visit, then arrest them both.”

            Rafe was still angry. “What was the job you wanted to hire me for, as a PI?”

            “Guard her.”

            “Liza?”

            “Yes.”

            “Isn’t that the FBI’s job?” Rafe asked sarcastically.

            “And they’ll be there. They say she’s a priority, but . . . I need more than that.” The words were sharp, stealing his breath. He made himself breathe. “The Bureau’s priority is the mission. I want to believe that they’d cover Liza even if it meant letting Pastor or DJ go, but I can’t risk her life on that. Besides, everyone is all, ‘Oh, Liza is a soldier. She can take care of herself.’ ”

            “She can.”

            “But she won’t,” Tom said, panic rising to press on his chest. “You said it yourself. She is loyal at the risk to her own safety.”

            “She’s doing this for Mercy, isn’t she?”

            “And for Abigail. Gideon and Amos, too.”

            “Does Gideon know?”

            Tom shook his head. “No. And he’d be an awful choice to guard Liza even if he did. Pastor might recognize him. Belmont definitely would.”