Page 202 of Chasing Sparks

“Dude, are you nuts? I was working with you,” Ash argues.

But Trace is unaffected by Ash’s surge of anger. “You know how many good guys actually work both sides? I couldn’t risk it.”

“Well, it wasn’t me, but I know who it is,” Ash says. “The police chief.”

Trace nods, his expression grim. “We had a feeling he was involved. Caught him and Kevin together too many times for it to be a happy coincidence.”

"So now what? That’s it? It’s over?"

Trace stretches, rolling his neck to work out the kinks. “Yes, and no. We intercepted the shipment of girls, and they’re safe, but Kevin has fled the country.”

Ash groans and lowers his head to the table. “Holy fuck.”

“He’s in the UAE. We’ll monitor him, but their laws make it nearly impossible to extradite him, which he knows. For now, he’s out of reach.”

Ash frowns, a muscle jumping in his jaw. “And what about Ori and me? Arewesafe now?”

Trace leans back in the chair, his expression softening slightly. “Yeah, you’re safe. Kevin knows you didn’t know anything. To him, you were just collateral—something to keep Lucille in line. He’s not going to bother you.”

“Are you sure about that?” Ash presses.

“What can he get from you? You don’t know anything. I made damn sure of that fact. Trust me, Ash, I’m not going to say you’re safe if you aren’t.”

Ash nods and glances at me. “That’s something, at least.”

More than something, Ash. It’s our safety.

“But what about Lucille? Is she safe? What if Kevin comes back?” I ask, fully aware I play no part in this scenario but desperate for answers. Hey, this turned my life upside down, too.

“That’s why I’m getting Lucille out of here, although I doubt Kevin will want anything to do with her now that his operation is shut down. Plus, he knows I’ll be watching Lucille, and the second I hear he’s in the country, I’ll be all over him.”

“Sounds like a lot of what-ifs and maybes,” I state, worrying my lower lip with my teeth.

Lucille offers me a sad smile. “Trust me, it’s not an optimal ending, but Trace has assured me he’ll take care of me. His word is good.”

Ash rubs his chin, the exhaustion wearing lines into his face. “What do I tell everyone? You know people talk in Sparkwood.”

Trace shrugs as he pulls out his phone to check the time. “Tell them the truth. You were helping a friend who ran into some trouble. Now, she’s heading to a new spot to prepare for the birth of her baby.”

“Whereareyou going?” Ash asks, grimacing when Lucille and Trace exchange glances. “Let me guess—need-to-know basis, right?”

“Yeah,” Trace says. “But Lucille insisted on saying goodbye first. So, let’s make it quick because I don’t want to waste any more time.”

Lucille and Ash move to one side of the room, and I give them their space. I’m not sure what they have to say to one another, or if this is the last time we’ll see her, but they’re closing a chapter in their lives. They deserve that privacy without my interference.

“Thank you,” Trace says, giving me an awkward pat on the shoulder.

I widen my eyes. “For what?”

“Understanding this situation and why we had to play it this way.”

“I’m just glad I’m not in the dark anymore.”

“Do me a favor? If you hear or receive anything from Kevin Duncan or McGwyer Holdings, call this number, yeah? Doesn’t matter what it is, or how insignificant. This bastard loves to play games, and you were his favorite pawn.” He slides me a card with some numbers scribbled on it.

“Is this your number?”

“No, but they’ll know how to reach me.”

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