Page 5 of Twilight Tactics

“We’ll just see what she needs, then make the judgment as to who can help her the most.”

“That works.” Elena nodded to Adam, another vet at the ranch working through wounds left by war. “He was in the foster system a few years, and from what little he’s shared, I can tell you, for some kids it’s not a fun place to be. In some ways I think his wounds from that are worse than the ones he got in combat.” She shot a pointed look at his titanium leg attached to what remained of his thigh.

“Yeah,” Maya whispered. And then there was no more time to chat. The SUV pulled to a stop in front of the house about fifty yards away from the barn. “All right,” Maya said. “I’m going to get everyone settled.”

“I’m right behind you,” Elena said.

“Thanks. They need to meet everyone as soon as possible so they can be familiar with who belongs here.”

And so they could also know if someonedidn’tbelong.

Elena dismissed her class with promises to finish the project in their next session, then followed Maya to the main house. She let her gaze scan the area behind it in the direction of the mountains that hid ... a lot.

“You okay?” Maya asked.

“Yes, why?”

“You’ve seemed a bit preoccupied lately. Distracted.”

Ouch. She’d been that transparent? “I ventured into town for the first time since coming here instead of using a delivery service, and I saw someone who reminded me of my childhood.” She’d finally convinced herself she’d be okay. That even if someone from the prepper community recognized her, there wasn’t anything they could do to her. Not anymore. Getting to that moment, to that ability to go into town alone, had been a huge stepping-stone to putting the past behind her. The fear. And then she’d seen—

“Your childhood? With the cult?”

A snort slipped out. “Preppers.” Elena said the word with a mild tone and small smile. The argument was a familiar one.

“Cult.”

She wasn’t convinced they were an actual cult, but she wasn’t convinced they weren’t either. They hadn’t started out that way in Virginia, but when they’d left the group there to join the one here in Tennessee ... yeah, it was very different, so maybe “cult” was the right label. It hurt to think that. She still cared about people up on that mountain in the distance. But every time she thought about going up there, her mother’s voice stopped her.“They’re dangerous. Stay away. Hide. Don’t let them catch you.”And so, she stayed put. Close enough to be at the compound in an hour or so on horseback, but every time she thought she was ready to try, guilt swarmed her. Like she was betraying her mother’s wishes. Going into town had been hard enough. “Okay, whatever. But yeah.”

“Who?”

She sighed. “It doesn’t matter. It was just a glimpse. I’m probably seeing things.” But she didn’t think so. “Let’s focus on your company.”

“Fine, but you’re spilling the tea later.”

Elena should have known better than to try to hide anything from the person who knew her best.

The main house was set on a ranch that spanned about five hundred square acres. Elena lived in the lower-level apartment of the main house with an entrance around the back, affording her lots of privacy, while Maya and her husband, Gideon, had the top space. Elena’s small living area, complete with two bedrooms, a den, and a tiny kitchen, was all she needed—and more. She was the only worker who lived in the big home, and she paid a modicum of rent because she didn’t feel right mooching off her friend.

Although to hear Maya tell it, Elena was the one doing the favor.

The tall man who’d just exited the vehicle was Collin Sullivan. Sully. Elena had talked to him a few times over thepast six months she’d been here. And Maya had told her all about the cousin she adored, so she felt like she knew him. Maybe. He favored Maya in looks. Dark hair, dark eyes, deeply tanned skin even in November. Five o’clock shadow. A couple of inches over six feet.

He caught her staring and held her gaze, a hint of amusement coloring his eyes. “Hi.”

Busted. “Hi. Good to see you again.” Thankfully, her voice was steady, no hint of her weirdly rapid pulse. And with her turtleneck and hoodie on, there was no way for him to see the heat climbing into her neck. Hopefully, it would stop before it could reach her cheeks.

“You too,” he said.

The back door opened, and he turned his attention to the teenager climbing out.

The witness. Poor girl.

The front passenger door opened, and a woman with blond hair pulled back into a tight ponytail and a hard expression emerged. Her green eyes scanned the area, then swept back to the house.

Maya went to Sully and hugged her cousin. “Welcome. We’ll get you all set up. I’ve got a four-bedroom cabin available that’s not too far from the house, but secluded so you can easily see if anyone approaches. It’s set pretty close to the lake and has an updated security system. It’s called Serenity.”

Sully nodded. “That sounds perfect.”