Page 106 of Beast

“They looked like recently retired SEALs. Older, mid to late thirties. Clean cut, no tattoos, built. One of them was a ginger. I hope this helps.”

“Thanks, Dave, I really appreciate it. Next time we’re in town, I’ll buy you a beer.”

“Any time. Let me know if you need anything.”

I stared at the empty screen, my mind totally blown.

Finally, Kyle broke my trance, “Has Annie mentioned any other Americans she, um, ‘met’ over there?”

“Nope. She doesn’t talk about it.”

“Well, I’ll call Vic and we can start researching older Team guys—see who’s in contracting, any redheads. But you need to talk to your girlfriend, make sure we’re on to something.”

“I doubt she’ll talk, but I’ll try. Thanks, man.”

“Any time. I need to take care of some business upstairs and then I’ll get right on it.”

I gave him a high five. “I get it. I’ll let myself out.”

I walked out of the house, but instead of getting back into my truck, I headed to the ocean. I needed to clear my head.

My gut clenched. I had to interrogate Annie about her johns without her getting suspicious.

32

Patrick

I RETURNED BACK TO MY apartment, carrying two iced mochas and chocolate milk from Bird Rock Coffee.

Annie greeted me with a kiss—and a clean apartment. She’d scrubbed my floors, dusted the furniture, and even folded my laundry. Fuck, I didn’t remember getting married.

“Sorry, I hope you don’t mind. I need to be busy.”

I got it. And here I was about to interrogate her about her past.

“Gabriel’s taking a nap.”

We sat at the table.

“What’s wrong, Pat? You’re acting weird. Are you still upset about Chris? We’re meeting him in an hour so—”

“No. That’s not it.”

“No secrets. Spill it.”

I didn’t know how to approach her. We had an unspoken rule never to talk about her time in the Caribbean. “In the brothel, when I came back to see if you were who you said you were, you told me that you and Nicole were convinced you were going to be saved. Why did you think that?”

She shifted in her seat. “Why do you ask?”

“Just curious.”

“Why now?” She sucked her cheeks in.

“I’ve always wanted to ask you. There’s never a right time.”

“It was nothing. I thought this other guy was sent to save me once. He never came back. Why does it matter?”

“It matters to me. Why did you think he was going to come back?”