Page 52 of Cruel Dreams

“This is Ash’s ship.”

“It will take some digging to connect it to him, but yeah. We’ve got him now, Stella.”

He picks me up and hugs me, and I rest my cheek on his shoulder.

He’s my safe haven in the storm, my protection. I cling, because the storm isn’t over yet.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Zane

After hours of debriefing at the King’s Crossing’s FBI offices, Banks says it’s okay to bring Stella and Quinn back to the Crowne. He offers to drive us, and Stella and I cuddle in the backseat while Quinn dozes in front.

The cargo ship’s paperwork doesn’t lead to the Blacks, not at a cursory glance, but they’ll dig deep enough to connect them. In the meantime, the seizure of the ship hit the news, and someone leaked videos and photos of the women standing on deck looking worn out and scared. Ash will know his ship didn’t make it out of Minnesota’s boundaries, much less to wherever the fuck he was sending Stella and Quinn.

My sweet girl sprained her ankle, and I carry her into the hotel. Quinn looks like she’s hanging in there, though she’s pasty white and quieter than normal. A quiet Quinn is a bad sign. I hope after a meal, a shower, and some sleep, she returns to her old self. Stella and I need her.

Stella’s strong, but Quinn’s friendship keeps her that way.

The moment we step into Max’s suite, Max, Denton, Zarah, and Mel swarm us. I want to push them away and keep Stella to myself, but she needs people around her, friends she knows who love her. Quinn sags onto the loveseat, and I gently settle Stella on the couch across from her. I sit as close to her as possible, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. Everyone crowds around us and asks questions, vying for her attention, and Stella quietly answers, craving the connection.

Max finishes describing Douglas’ role in their rescue, and Mel opens her mouth to say something, but I interrupt. “That’s enough. There’s time for that.” Turning to Stella, I ask, “Are you hungry? Can I get you something?” Banks had Chinese delivered to the offices, but Stella and Quinn were too rattled to eat and only picked at their food.

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.” She smiles, and I kiss her forehead, allowing my lips to linger for a moment. I flick a questioning glance at Quinn, and she nods.

I fix them ham and cheese sandwiches using ingredients we keep in Max’s small refrigerator and heat up chicken noodle soup in the microwave. In lieu of bowls, I use coffee mugs, and I give one to Stella, steadying her hands, the brace making it difficult for her to grasp the handle. I steal another second to rub my thumb over her knuckles. Throwing me a grateful look, Quinn reaches for her soup, and I nod, thanking her in my own way for being there for Stella. I place the sandwich plates on the coffee table on top of old issues of theChronicle.

Conversation resumes, and Zarah sits in my place on the couch, snuggling into Stella who leans into my sister’s embrace. She and Quinn sip their soup and talk to the others, and wanting an update, I call Banks.

Ash and Clayton haven’t been arrested. The women who were trapped in the cargo container are giving their statements, and the FBI is still gathering evidence to connect the Blacksto the ship. They found weapons worth millions of dollars in several of the containers, and the ship’s manifest lists just many stops.

The fundraising gala is tomorrow evening, and I tell Banks that’s when I want to expose them...in front of the entire city of King’s Crossing.

“Others than just the Blacks will go down. Be prepared for a massive fallout,” Banks warns. “The girls are naming names, and Mayor Huxley is onlyoneof their most wealthy and powerful clients. Men from all over the country come to King’s Crossing to do business with them, and they’re given five-star treatment in return. This is going to be the biggest shitstorm since what’s her name in ’93.”

“God.” Apprehension slithers around my gut. I knew exposing Ash’s clients would be dangerous and men who are about to lose their reputations, their families, and their fortunes don’t go down without a fight, but I do not want Stella to be a target anymore and Zarah’s been hurt enough.

“I’ll start putting things in place, but you need to do the same. Prepare for retaliation, Maddox. Lots of it.” He disconnects.

I blow out a breath and pocket my phone. I’ll worry about that later. Right now, Stella’s my main concern and she looks like she’s about to pass out. “Stella, you should get some rest.”

She sighs. “Yeah. I’m tired.”

Quinn meets my gaze, biting her lip, strain pulling at her eyes. She doesn’t want to be alone, but she would never say anything. Tough Quinn Sawyer.

I can’t be selfish. “Come on, I’ll walk you girls to your room.”

Quinn’s face evens out. I made the right choice.

They crawl into the same queen bed wearing the dresses they wore to Ladies and Gentlemen, and they’re already almost sleeping before their heads are nestled into the plush pillows. I lower the blinds and darken the room. Sitting on the edge of thebed, I smooth Stella’s hair. My little girl. I love her so much, and every time she turns around, more of my shit is flung in her face.

We won’t be able to start living until Ash and Clayton are sentenced and behind bars, and anyone else who’s connected to them. Only then can we try to put this behind us. That could take years, and something else I can’t think about now.

It’s been days since I slept, and the empty bed next to them beckons me. I text Mel I’m getting some sleep, strip down to my boxers, and crawl between the crisp cool sheets.

Stella’s breathing comforts me, and I fall asleep easily knowing that for now, she’s safe by my side.

I wake up late.

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