Free Secret Obsession by Robin Perini

serpentined through the Dallas–Fort Worth area for the past ninety minutes.
    On high alert, his hand on his weapon, Zane peered out the other side of the vehicle. Normally, Noah would have taken the front passenger seat, but he’d slipped into the back with Lyssa.
    Surprising how her new name fell off his tongue so easily. He’d almost stopped thinking of her as Alessandra. He glanced over at her. She’d fallen into a deep sleep on the plane. Nearly thirty-six hours awake had scraped her nerves raw. The nap had returned some color to her cheeks. That, along with a hint of embarrassment and a flash of resentment in her eyes.
    He’d half expected her to hightail it when they’d landed. He’d practically kidnapped her, after all. She’d been quiet since they’d landed. He had to wonder what she plotted behind those compelling green eyes. She gripped her duffel tight. The shotgun was just inside. He didn’t blame her for keeping the weapon close, as long as she didn’t use it on him.
    He’d told her the truth. Maybe the sleep had made her see sense. She was smart. She’d stayed alive for two years. They all needed to regroup. He didn’t like being in retreat, but better alive and together than the alternative.
    Right now, Archimedes had the advantage.
    Noah didn’t anticipate the situation to last long.
    “Appears clear,” Rafe said, taking another turn around the block in the suburb north of Fort Worth.
    “Agree,” Zane added.
    “Go inside,” Noah ordered. “Check it out.”
    The SUV pulled up to the house. Zane jumped out and keyed in the code to the garage door. The metal slid up, strangely quiet.
    Lyssa slipped her hand beneath her coat. Noah didn’t say a word.
    A few minutes later, Zane motioned them forward. Rafe pulled the car into the garage, but Noah didn’t breathe until they were sealed inside the house.
    Lyssa finally removed her hand from her .45. “You’ve got me here. Now what?”
    Her gaze dared Noah. He knew very well he didn’t have much time. Lyssa was resourceful; she’d find her way back to Chicago if that’s what she really wanted.
    “Now we locate Archimedes.” Noah punched in a code in the garage. “I’ve scrambled the garage-door signal. If anyone was watching, they won’t be getting in. He walked directly into the small dining room. “Set up here.”
    Zane nodded, tugging his laptop from its case. “I need secure internet.”
    Noah glanced over at Lyssa. He could almost feel the nerves shooting through her body. “Want to go out back? I have to hook up a satellite system.”
    She gave a sharp nod and followed him onto the porch then into the yard. There was a chill in the air, but not so much that he needed gloves. He positioned the small dish so that it faced the sky and flipped open a case from inside his jacket.
    He twisted a few screws and lifted the weather cover. “How are you feeling?”
    She scuffed the grass with her shoe. “Embarrassed. Rafe and Zane must think I’m certifiable.”
    “Nah. They know you’re exhausted and that you’ve been through hell.” Squatting down, he secured the equipment before pulling out his phone to position the receiver.
    Lyssa said nothing. She crossed her arms over her jacket then slipped her hand inside, as if reassuring herself that protection was near. Noah observed her carefully. Even while she spoke, she scanned the backyard, searching for anything out of place. Noah had been in life-threatening situations more often than not since he’d joined the Marines, but there was always an end to the mission. How would it be, month after month, year after year, to never let your guard down?
    Walking the twelve-foot concrete wall encasing the rear perimeter of the house, she reached the gate and yanked. It didn’t budge; it was secured shut with a series of large steel bolts.
    Finalizing the satellite positioning, he strode to the screen door and cracked it open. “Check out the connection, Zane. We’ll be a few more