Page 57 of Impossible Thrills

“You’ve got him?” Nick asked.

“For sure. Go make sure all of her children are safe.”

“My babies!” Darcy cried out. Strength returned to her legs. She ran for the stairs, tripping over a body. Screaming out, she would’ve fallen, but Nick’s arm came around her waist and lifted her up.

He helped her away from the awful death in this room and up the stairs. They burst out into the night and then hurried to the back porch step. She rushed in and looked around, listening for cries and screams. She heard a baby’s cry, but it was soothed quickly. Nick didn’t say anything as they hurried to the steps and up to the second level. He simply supported her.

Gary was in the hallway and turned at their approach. “What happened?”

“Johnny Trattori and his men,” Nick said shortly. “Running a drug smuggling operation through the basement. We’ve killed or incapacitated him and his men. You’ll be safe now. Are the children all right?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.”

“Well, thank you, son. It sounds like you rescued us all.”

Nick looked down at her and then shrugged. “Just doing my job.”

Those words pierced her heart. Just doing my job. Nick was only here for a job. He didn’t love her. He’d said he loved her right before he went to sacrifice himself in the basement. Had that been a ploy? Had the man she’d fallen for used her and lied to her and … She wanted to cry in pain and anguish, but she murmured, “Excuse me while I check on everyone.”

“I need to clear each room first,” Nick said.

Darcy nodded and leaned against a wall as Nick eased through the first door. Gary looked at her. “Are you all right?”

“Yes.” Her lip quivered. “Nick kept me safe.”

“What a guy, huh? I can see why you love him.”

Darcy managed a smile. She did love him, but she didn’t trust him. She’d fallen for him much quicker than she had Johnny. Nick wasn’t a criminal and a cheater like her husband, but he’d lied to her and broken her heart even worse.

Earlier tonight, she’d imagined the hardest thing in the world would be watching Nick leave to go do his jobs and waiting for him to come home safe.

Knowing she was his job and meant nothing to him? The only pain she could think of that compared to this was finding out her baby was dead and then burying her.

She was devastated.

Chapter

Eighteen

Nick cleared the rooms and was reassured that no more of Trattori’s men were hiding out. He wanted to hold Darcy and explain everything. Would she understand? Could she still love him, knowing he’d had to hide a huge secret from her?

When he walked back into the hallway after clearing the last room, she gave him a forced smile and went into the first bedroom to check on the babies herself.

Before she reappeared, his phone was ringing. Aiden. He walked downstairs to answer the call. He wanted to hold Darcy close, but he could only imagine she needed time to come to terms with all that had happened.

The next few hours were busy. Aiden brought the troops, even though Nick and Paul had taken care of the situation. Interpol and the DEA were along and thoroughly documented everything. Trattori and the men that survived were taken into custody. Nick could only pray that with the evidence from this part of Trattori’s operation alone, they’d have ample reason to seize his other assets and properties and do a thorough investigation of his businesses. He should be locked away for a very long time.

Finally, the dust settled and the questioning of him, Paul, Darcy, and even Gary, who’d seen nothing, finished. Different children had woken up throughout the process, but the other helpers were able to settle them. Nick made certain the examiners knew Darcy was completely innocent. Aiden was able to stay with her and make certain they treated her kindly.

Aiden told him he was leaving him a Range Rover and not to rush back to headquarters with a wink. Nick thanked his boss, got a handshake and quick hug, and then he rushed to search through the finally quiet house.

He found Darcy in her small bedroom. As he opened the door, he whispered, “Can I come in?”

“Yes.”

She was rocking in a rocking chair. It was dim in the room, lit by a small lamp, but he could see the tears streaking down her face.

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