“You can’t say things like that!” the detective nearly shouted.

Brodie ignored him. “I’m betting you did some digging on me. On my family. You might even know about some of our missions.”

Nate’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

“You will make that call,” Brodie said, “or you’ll be dealing with us...and the hell that we will bring to you.”

Nate’s gaze flew to her. “Jennifer, come on. For old times’ sake, help me.”

Old times’ sake... Had he really just gone there? “You were going to let him kill me, weren’t you?” Not just her, though. In that garage, he’d been prepared to attack Brodie.

“Uh...” She could practically see the wheels turning in his head as he tried to figure out what lie to tell her.

“The old times are over.” She glared at him. “Now make the call.”

* * *

“WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? Are you thinking?” Detective Shayne Townsend demanded as he grabbed Brodie and hauled him into the hallway. “You can’t threaten to kill a man right in front of me! Damn it, does the badge I wear mean nothing to you McGuires anymore?”

Brodie sucked in a hard breath and held tightly to his control. “It still means something. That’s why we called you and didn’t just go after this killer, Stephen Brushard, on our own.”

Shayne yanked a hand through his hair. “What have I walked into here? Sullivan only gave me skeleton details...”

“Because we were still walking in the dark ourselves.” And he wanted to hurry back into that room with Grant, Jennifer, Sullivan and dear old Nate to find out more. “All right, yeah, you know Jennifer was being stalked. Well, less than an hour ago, we learned that Nate in there is working for the guy.”

“And who the hell is Nate?”

“An ex-government agent.” He hesitated, then said, “Just like Jennifer. The guy was her partner in the field, but they both got out of the business years ago.”

Shayne squeezed his eyes shut. “Spies.”

“Ex-spies.”

Shayne swore. “Do you know the kind of paperwork we’re talking?”

“Nate is a puppet on a string. We have to pull in Brushard before that guy strikes again.” His muscles were locked down. “Before he kills Jennifer.”

“Wait—just wait.” Shayne’s expression turned pensive. “Have you gotten official confirmation that those two were spies? I mean, I know you have contacts in the government—have they backed up the woman’s story? How do you know you can actually trust what she’s saying? What he’s saying?”

“Grant is getting confirmation.”

Shayne’s sigh was loud and long. “And in the meantime, that Nate guy is just going to—what? Call in some killer who will waltz right up to us and turn himself in?”

No way would it be that easy. “I’d expect more of a fight. That’s why we want your boys in blue here.”

Shayne’s shoulders sagged. “Being friends with the McGuires is never easy.”

Brodie waited.

“He makes the call,” Shayne finally said, “but that only happens at the PD. Where we can monitor him, where my men can trace the call and be lead on this investigation.”

No, this wasn’t—

“You and your brothers aren’t vigilantes, Brodie. You can’t just keep a man handcuffed, no matter what he’s done.” Shayne jutted out his chin. “I’m taking him downtown. I have to do it—that’s my job. You and your brothers follow us. Then we’ll bring in the killer out there who’s gunning for your girl.” Shayne’s gaze was troubled. “You knew you were walking the line on this one already, didn’t you? That’s why you called me in. Not because you wanted backup.”

“The jerk nearly killed Mark Montgomery.” And when Brodie thought of Jennifer’s stalker, a killing rage coursed through him. Maybe he was worried about crossing the line because for Jennifer... I’d do it.

Shayne nodded. “We’re going to stop him, but we have to do it the right way.” And then Shayne marched back into Grant’s office, and Brodie followed on his heels.

“Uncuff him,” Shayne ordered when he stood right in front of Nate.

Grant didn’t move. Neither did Sullivan.

“I’m taking him into custody.”

Nate’s eyes widened. “On what charge? I didn’t do anything.” His cheeks flushed a dark red. “I’m the victim! I’m the one they kidnapped and handcuffed! You need to be arresting those fools!”

“Maybe if he hadn’t heard you raging in here, he would have bought your innocent act more,” Grant muttered.

Shayne’s jaw hardened. “Uncuff him. Now.”

Sullivan glanced at Grant. Grant looked at Brodie.

Jennifer frowned at them all.

“Stop the silent McGuire communication,” Shayne snapped. “My department will give you full backing to track down this Stephen Brushard. But we’re doing it the right way. And this guy...he’s getting put in a cell.”

Brodie nodded at Grant. Grant pulled the keys from his pocket. He unhooked the cuffs. Before Nate could jump out of his chair, Shayne had pulled out his weapon and the detective aimed it right at the ex-agent. “I’m following the law. Don’t mistake that for weakness on my part. You make any move to attack me or the McGuires, and you will regret it. I promise you that.” He motioned with his gun. “Now, stand up and keep your hands behind your back. You’re getting cuffed again—because I don’t want to worry about you trying to attack me.”

Nate’s glare should have burned the flesh right off Shayne.

When Nate was up and his hands were cuffed behind his back, the guy’s face turned an even darker red. “Do you know who I am?” He demanded as his white-hot stare raked Shayne. “You can’t do this to me!”

“Give it a rest, Nate,” Jennifer muttered. “They don’t care who you were or who you are... They’re taking you in.” Brodie hated the sadness in her eyes. She’d trusted Nate, but he’d sold her out.

Shayne pulled Nate forward. “Come on, my car’s waiting outside.”

Grant and Sullivan followed behind him. Jennifer started to advance, but Brodie blocked her path. “Are you okay?” he asked, keeping his voice low.

Her lips trembled, but then she pressed them together and gave a quick nod.

“Jennifer?”

“I... We worked together for so long. I think I might have even started to pretend to myself...thinking that we were some kind of family.” Her lashes lowered, shielding her eyes. “I would never have sold him out. I guess...I guess you really can’t depend on anyone but yourself, huh?”

His fingers cupped her chin. “You can depend on me.” He needed her to know that. To understand. Whatever came their way, he was going to be at her side.

“Do you mean that?”

Hell, yes, he did.

Her breath rushed out. “Thank you.”

He wanted to take her into his arms, to hold her tight, but the danger wasn’t over. They had more work to do. And now that they had the PD behind them, that work would go a hell of a lot faster.

“Come on,” he said, and they headed for the door.

Sullivan was the first one to exit the building. He went out, sweeping the area. The cameras had shown no sign that any intruder was close by, but since Nate said he’d tipped off Stephen, they didn’t want to take any chances.

Grant left next, armed, body tense.

Shayne pulled Nate out. Nate was digging in his heels. Twisting his arms. “I’m not telling you anything!” His voice rose. “I’ve already lost too much! I won’t lose anything else! I won’t!”

Brodie followed closely behind Shayne. Jennifer was at his side. Brodie’s gaze swept the scene. Shayne’s vehicle was just a few feet away. There was no sign of Stephen.

Because he got tipped off and ran...but we’ll pull him in again. We won’t lose him.

Shayne shoved Nate into the back of his car. Then he looked over at Sullivan. “Will you—”

“I’ll make sure the guy doesn’t cause any trouble.” Sullivan climbed into Shayne’s car.

Shayne nodded. “Good. Then let’s get out of here.”

They loaded into the vehicles and headed out.