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sigh of relief and settled deeper into the leather seat, which she shared with the luggage. The skies opened up, dumping rainwater over their vehicle as they merged into interstate traffic. Luther kept a deft hand on the steering wheel, flicked open his cell phone, and hit a button.
    "It's against the law here to drive and talk at the same time," Hannah informed him.
    He handed the cell phone over the back of the seat. "I'm not talking to Valentino. You are."
    Hannah took the phone just as a smooth voice sounded in her ear. "Valentino."
    "This is Hannah Geary," she said, a little discomfited to be speaking with a man she didn't know, who probably knew a lot about her.
    "Miss Geary." Valentino sounded surprised. "How're you feeling? Lindstrom painted a pretty harrowing picture of your extraction."
    "I'm fine," she said. "I'd like to know what's going on, though. Why did the Individual target me?"
    The silence that followed made her feel like she'd spoken out of turn. "He and your father worked in similar circles," he admitted.
    "Who is he?" she pressed.
    "I'm sorry, I can't tell you that. Perhaps you have some idea."
    "Me? Until today I'd never heard of him."
    "Did General Pinzon happen to mention who supplies his weapons?"
    "I never actually had a conversation with the general," Hannah answered, feeling her throat grow tight. She would have to tell Valentino that she'd killed Pinzon. "Is my brother in danger?" she asked, switching topics abruptly.
    "We have two agents shadowing Kevin's every move. There's no reason to believe he's a target."
    Hannah's grip on the phone tightened. "They'd better keep a close watch on him," she warned with a protective shudder.
    "I'll pass that along," he reassured her. "How are you holding up?"
    "Fine."
    "I apologize for leaving you with the SEALs. I owe them a favor, and this helps to screen my investigation."
    "No, that's what I want," she assured him.
    "Good. I have to leave the country for a couple days, but between their training and yours, I'm sure you'll be safe."
    So he knew she'd once been CIA. "I have to tell you that I killed the general," she blurted, before she lost the nerve. It wasn't easy to say the words out loud. She was conscious of Luther's sympathetic regard through the rearview mirror.
    Valentino was shocked into silence.
    "In self-defense," she added, breaking into a clammy sweat.
    "I'm sure it was necessary," said the agent, recovering. A thoughtful silence preceded his next statement. "We should expect an act of reprisal," he warned, on a note that made her shiver. "Take every precaution to conceal yourself. Don't contact anyone you know, not even your brother. I'll have my agents relay that you're safe."
    "Thank you."
    "I need to talk to him," said Luther over his shoulder. He'd driven the truck off the highway, bouncing them into the nearest parking lot.
    "Yee-haw," Westy exclaimed.
    Hannah relinquished the phone. As Luther spoke to Valentino, she reassessed him. Could she trust these men with her life?
    Appearing at the poolside, Luther had looked nothing like the black phantom that he'd been last night. In civilian clothing he resembled something off the cover of Sports Illustrated —six and a half feet of solid muscle. She'd been drawn to him instantly, and not just because he was good-looking, with dark hair and deep blue eyes. Nor was it the blue button-down shirt, jeans, and casual shoes that in conjunction with his military haircut made him look honest, clean-cut, and squared away. It was the integrity in his eyes that made her like and trust him instantly.
    She liked Westy, too, though his auburn beard made him look more like a biker than a SEAL. Despite his tough exterior, Westy'd shown consideration in buying her the peach sundress she wore. He made the ideal NCO, answering Luther's orders without question, putting himself at risk by searching the truck.
    Her instincts told her she was absolutely safe with these men, despite Valentino's disturbing