Witness Pursuit (Bodyguards #1)

“I love diving. I enrolled in a course with Charlie when I was sixteen.”


“Charlie’s one of your brothers?”

“Yep. Charlie’s the charmer and only three years older than me. Oops.” She pressed a hand to her mouth. “Two years, now.”

A round of happy birthdays came from everyone at her words, and with a beaming smile, Nico clapped.

Such an innocent at twenty-one. He smiled, thinking of the all the ways he intended to continue divulging her of that innocence. Never had he looked forward to a holiday more than this one.

A buzz of conversation continued around him. Liam promised Nico he’d take him to the beach for the sandcastle building as soon as they berthed. Lydia said she’d get the gear ready, and Dylan and Luke talked about checking out the island’s activities.

Never more content than when his family surrounded him, Tyler rolled his shoulders and settled back in his chair.

“That reminds me. I’ve gotta go call my sister.” Lydia scraped her chair back, her abrupt decision to leave dragging him right back out of that comfort. “Saria will expect it.”

“Right now?” He nabbed her arm as she passed him. “What’s the rush?”

“Ben said she was jittery last night, and I need to make sure she’s feeling better today. I won’t be long.” She cupped his cheek. “Don’t go anywhere.”

He wouldn’t, unless it was to come and get her.



Lydia had relied on her twin like her lifeline these past twelve months.

In her entire life, she’d rarely been separated from Saria, and certainly never on their birthday.

After she took the sat phone from the control room, she dialed Ben’s number. Where Ben was, Saria would be.

Playing her fingers along the ship’s side rail, she waited for him to answer.

“Hammers.”

“Ben. It’s me.” She straightened. “I’m after Saria. How is she today?”

“I’ve got Mathias watching her. Hold on. Let me find somewhere quiet to talk to you so I can explain. I’m at the courthouse.”

“What? Why are you there? Ben?”

“I’m back. I was about to call you.” His sharp tone set her nerves on edge. “You wouldn’t believe what I’ve woken to this morning with the headline splashed across the papers for all to see. Eyewitness in Johnny Taita Murder Investigation Turns Twenty-One, Along with Her Twin.” He let out a gruff growl. “Unbelievable. You have name suppression, but one stupid newspaper reporter just blabbed your age to the entire country. We’re only a nation of four million. He just put your head on a platter.”

“The media aren’t supposed to know the witness’ name, that I’m Lydia Sands. That’s what name suppression is.” Her ears buzzed. Words barely made it past the lump in her throat. “How many do I share my twenty-first birthday with?”

“I did a search through the births database and two-hundred and two people are listed for this day twenty-one years ago. That number reduces to ninety-eight once I eliminate the males from the count, although you and Saria are the only set of twins. It’s bad. I found your names within an hour, which gives our killer a pinpointed target. He knows you. He saw you. I even found several old images of you from prior to a year ago on the net. It was so simple and easy. If I can do it, anyone can.”

“What are you going to do?”

“First, I’ve filed a request with the court for the paper to reverse their findings and issue an apology saying they got it wrong. That’s only a diversionary tactic. I’ll have to look at sending you deeper within The Program to truly ensure your safety. You can’t be Lydia Sands anymore. It’s too dangerous, and I need to find who leaked your information to the reporter.”

In bare seconds, her life had once again spun out of control. “How’s Saria?”

“The jitters are gone. Now she’s just plain furious. I should have brought her to court with me and let her rip the newspaper reporter’s head from his shoulders. She would have liked that.”

The noose she’d worn around her neck this past year tightened painfully. So much for being an ocean away from her troubles. They’d just set sail with her.

Ben grunted. “I’m sorry, but I need to speak to Tyler. There’s no choice. He’ll have to know exactly who you are in order to watch over you until Brigs can get there.” Brigs was Ben’s right-hand man, and one of her rotating bodyguards. She trusted Brigs as she trusted Ben.

“No.” That one word left her mouth with firm determination. “Please, Ben, no. You have to get me out of here without Tyler finding out. I’ll stay on board the ship or wear a disguise until Brigs comes. I promise I’ll take the utmost care.”