Page 3 of Under Fire in Big Sky

“I don’t care about the resort. It’s not your style. Neither is the blazer.” She touched the sport coat that gave him a semblance of professionalism, even though he wore a T-shirt, jeans, and a holstered gun. “But I appreciate the effort. What do you think of the security guard?”

“He’ll make a good source. I’m meeting him tonight. I’ll grill him about the staff.”

Olivia smiled at him, and the look warmed something in his chest. “I always thought you were better suited for intelligence.”

He managed to leverage his skills with IPS, but there was one ugly truth he couldn’t escape. He was built for war.

“I want to know what’s going on.” Eli took a beat. Removed his driftwood-colored Stetson—a gift from Liv. Raked his hand through his hair. Slipped the hat back on. “With us. Let’s have this talk.”

She reached for his face. Then catching herself, she glanced around and clasped his arm instead. The hope of anything beyond the professional happening between them vanished.

“Later. At dinner.” A flicker of unguarded emotion crossed her face.

For the first time, ever, Eli glimpsed worry in the eyes of this unflappable woman. If he hadn’t been scrutinizing her so closely, he would’ve missed it.

It only bolstered his worst fear. “I’d prefer now.”

“You’re in a foul mood. We’ll talk after you’ve had a steak and a double whiskey,” she said, confirming he’d need a strong drink. “This isn’t the time or the place. I need your head in the game, Pioneer.”

Pioneer and sapper were nicknames for combat engineers. Both rooted in history.

Only Liv ever called him that.

“Can you take my luggage up and I’ll grab it tonight?” Her posture turned rigid, her voice monotone. The pod person was back. “Use a bellhop. We’re supposed to be QA.”

“Where are you going?”

“To meet the manager, Donald Dempsey. I want to start interviewing employees.”

“It’s on the schedule for tomorrow. Might be hard to round up the staff on short notice.”

“I want them caught off guard, so I can rattle those insiders and see what they do.”

“In my experience, if you poke a bear, it doesn’t poke back. It maims you.” Not that she couldn’t handle herself. It was one of the things that drew him to her. She was independent and strong. Downright fierce.

More importantly, she didn’t need him. And that was the way he preferred it.

“We’re not dealing with grizzlies,” she said. “These environmental activists accidentally injured a logger once with tree spiking. They’ve never killed, nor intentionally sought to physically harm anyone. They’re toothless pandas.”

Eli didn’t mention that although people thought of pandas as cute and cuddly furballs, when provoked, they could be downright vicious.

“Nonetheless,” she said, “they can still cause millions in damage. We’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen. The largest stakeholder of the hotel, Chip Whitney, who is also here, is an important client of Aegis.” She hiked the strap of her purse higher on her shoulder. “There are hundreds of people to interview. It’s best to start screening them ASAP.”

“Let me know where you’ll be, and I’ll help.”

“No, go do your thing. Circulate and chitchat. Cultivate more sources.”

Divide and conquer. He got it. “Will do.” But he hated feeling as though she simply wanted space from him.

“Find pressure points we can exploit.” She was deadly calm. “I intend to push hard.”

Eli didn’t doubt her. “Yes, ma’am.” He gave her a mock salute.

“We only have three days until the gala.”

“Tick-tock.” Eli nodded. “On it.”

As she walked away, a void of uncertainty opened in the pit of his stomach.