Devoted Defender by Rachel Dylan Page A

said.
    “Yes. He knew my father’s weak points. He knew my weak points. And he capitalized on them. He came to me with what I thought was an amazing offer. But now I can see that he totally tricked me.”
    “How so?” Caleb asked.
    “He made up a story about some new business venture he had with my father and how he wanted to bring me in, but that he needed some information on my father’s current contacts. When I gave him the names of those my father was dealing with, I think it confirmed to Silva that my father was going to cut him out. And when I finally figured out what was going on, it was too late. The damage had already been done and there was no going back.”
    “How did you find out about your father’s death?” Caleb leaned forward in his chair.
    “My older brother found him. When I heard of the suspicious circumstances, I knew right away. I met with one of Silva’s men who told me about how things would play out. They were still willing to work with me as long as I did my best to get rid of you, Annie. That’s a loose end they didn’t want to have hanging out there.”
    “But now you think they’ve changed their minds?” Annie asked.
    “Yes. I was roughed up by one of his guys after you got away from me. Then last night I was run off the road. I don’t believe it was an accident. They’re going to try to kill me too. I obviously know too much. I was a greedy idiot for thinking I could come out of this on top.”
    “And now you’re in trouble.” Annie didn’t want anything to happen to Phil. But she didn’t know how Caleb would handle all of this.
    “He is in trouble, but you’ll be safe in a guarded cell in the Maxwell jail.”
    Phil nodded. “I figured you’d want to lock me up. But don’t you think I’d be more valuable to you on the outside?”
    Caleb shook his head. “Even putting aside the fact that I’m charging you with attempted murder and assault, it’s for your own good. You already said that Silva is after you. That’s the only way I can guarantee your safety.”
    “All right. And there are a couple of other things I need to tell you.”
    “What?” Caleb asked.
    “Silva has a source inside law enforcement. I don’t know who it is, but I know he gives Silva intel and that Silva relies on him.”
    Annie watched as Caleb’s expression remained unchanged. But she already knew about the suspicions Caleb and Mac had about a mole inside the FBI. This solidified that theory.
    “And you don’t have any further information on his identity?” Caleb narrowed his eyes at Phil.
    “No. Just that he’s law enforcement.”
    “And what else did you want to tell us?”
    Phil looked at her and then back to Caleb. “There’s been talk about Silva expanding out to some of the smaller towns to handle some of his operations. And Maxwell was on the list.”
    “Are you sure?” Caleb’s voice came out raspy.
    Annie knew that this bit of information had taken Caleb off guard.
    “I can’t say that I know it’s happening, just what I’ve heard from some of my contacts.”
    “Okay. I’m going to escort you to the station. Annie, I’ll call in another officer to stay here with you while I’m gone.”
    “No,” she said quickly, before she even realized it.
    Caleb looked over at her, confusion in his blue eyes. “Are you all right, Annie?”
    “I’d just prefer it if you stayed here and got another officer to escort Phil.”
    “Sure.” He looked at her. “That can be arranged. I’ll call my deputy Mike now.”
    Annie didn’t trust being alone with any other officer right now. The stakes were too high, and she’d been betrayed before.
    **
    Later that night Caleb sat on the couch beside Annie with Buddy curled up between them. She was stuck in the complicated and highly dangerous maze, and it was up to him to ensure her safety. Annie was an innocent woman caught in the crossfire. She didn’t deserve any of this. Caleb had seen enough in his career in law enforcement to