Witness Pursuit (Bodyguards #1)

“I know this is like a left ball coming at you, but things have moved in a direction I didn’t expect. Taita Senior owns a powerful network software company in the capital, and I can’t take any more risks with this leak. I don’t doubt he’ll be all over this. How long until you arrive at Resort Island?”


“We’ll be there by lunchtime, and if you’re sending Brigs, then Tyler doesn’t need to know. I won’t back down on that.”

“Yes, you will.”

No, she couldn’t do this again, put Tyler in the firing line, and destroy him and his family because he found out exactly who she was. Argh, why had she even had to witness a murder? Not to mention the son of Taita Senior, the very public head of Taita Software. He was aggressive at keeping Johnny’s name in the news. He wanted justice for his son’s death, and he was determined to get it.

“Lydia, I’ll have Brigs on the next flight to Fiji which lands at four this afternoon. He’ll chopper out to Resort Island and be there by six. I need you incognito. You see no one, and no one sees you. Now, give Tyler the phone.” His instruction was precise, but not one she would ever follow through on.

She had to breathe. And she had to hang up. With one push of the button, she disconnected the call. She fumbled with the backing and wrenched the battery out.

No battery, no phone. No Ben on her tail.



At the dining table, their breakfast dishes cleared away, Liam chattered while Tyler finished his coffee and waited for Lydia. Then she appeared at the end of the stairwell before disappearing below.

Setting his cup down, he rose, certain a soft sob had escaped her.

He hurried to her cabin and rapped on the door. “Lydia.” He turned the knob, but got no further. “The door’s locked. I know you’re in there. Is your sister okay?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t get to speak to her. Just Ben.” Her strained tone caused his muscles to tense. He banged on the door.

If she’d spoken to Ben then he had to see her. Now.

“Open this door.” He snatched the master key from his pocket and slotted it into the lock. With a twist, the latch clicked and released.

He was in, only no sign of her.

Connecting bathroom.

He dealt with the next lock in the same manner then swung the door wide, just as she fled into the adjoining cabin.

“Don’t ever run from me.” He made chase, and twirled her around as he caught her.

Her chest heaved. “Who said you could unlock my room?”

“It’s my ship. I’ll unlock any room I want.”

Her gaze was cold as she raised her chin. “I just spoke to Ben. He said my holiday was over. Brigs is on his way.”

Alarm bells sounded loud and clear in his head. “Ben wouldn’t do that, not unless–” He stopped and dragged in a deep breath, his air having disappeared fast. “What’s happened?”

“I can’t tell you. Top level authorization and all.” She ducked under his arm and headed back to her room. “Obviously I wish I could have stayed longer.”

“I’m not losing you again, Lee.” There wasn’t a chance he’d let her go. He strode after her.

“You’re not losing me. You never had me.”

“You’re staying, and I’ll argue until I’m black and blue that I do.”

“No.” She shook her head. “What happens here stays here, and I’m not staying.”

He crossed his arms. She wouldn’t pull that one. He wouldn’t allow her to walk away from him again. “I know Ben and he wouldn’t send Brigs all the way out here unless things were bad. You can’t think I’d let you leave my sight if that were the case. If you need a bodyguard, then it’ll be me.”

“My bodyguard will be Brigs. You broke the rules with me, and your point of view is obscured.” She moved to the bottom bunk, lowered to her knees then slid her suitcase out from underneath it. After running the zipper around, she flipped the lid and stood. She brushed her sides then dumped clothing from her drawers into the bag.

“You’re not leaving me, and I’ll break the rules again if I need to.”

“I am leaving. Brigs is choppering in to Resort Island at six. I’ll be gone a minute after that.”

“I took your virginity.” He had to make her see sense.

She stared at him then her gaze slowly softened. “I know, and you’re the only one I ever would have wanted to give it to, only that doesn’t give you the right to take over my life. I’m going.”

“I’ll speak to Ben. Brigs can come, but you’re not going. I’ll take you somewhere safe if I need to.” He made for the door.

“Tyler, you’re not listening to me.” She raced after him. “I won’t place your family’s safety in jeopardy, and keeping me here will do that. With my case, there’s a murderer on the loose.”

“I guessed that. Nothing else would make a case top level.”

“Let me go, Tyler. Think of your family’s safety.”

His heart constricted so tightly within his chest, he was sure it would cave in on itself. “Nothing you say will change my mind. My brothers can protect themselves. You can’t.”

Her eyebrows jolted up. “Does Nico know how to protect himself? No. My decision is final.”