Page 59 of Wicked and Bound

His face changed. Closed. Before he even spoke, she knew the answer. “No. Listen carefully. I could lose my job and maybe even go to prison for what I’m about to tell you, but I don’t care. You’ve been tangled in this shit from the beginning. You deserve to know what’s going on. And now that you’re pregnant…”

Her heart skipped. “What?”

“The raid. It’s happening tonight, during the auction.” His hands wandered her body for the cameras while his voice dropped even lower. “Kane will be with me. Ethan is coming back—and bringing the feds with him. We have to capture Gray and the higher-ups—before security realizes what’s happening.”

“So that’s what all the secret meetings this week have been about?” Suddenly his behavior made sense—the phone calls, the intense discussions with Kane, another haircut with Karliah, the growing tension. “You’ve been planning this all week? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“To protect you. And me. If Gray or his minions caught even a hint of our plan…” He shook his head. “But I couldn’t keep you in the dark any longer. Not with the baby.”

“Thank you.” Hope and fear began warring in her chest.

She wanted to be angry that he’d kept her out of the loop, but she understood the stakes. Still… “No more secrets after this. Promise me.”

“I swear.” His kiss was fierce, a promise he intended to keep.

“But if you follow through with the plan tonight, that won’t end the ring. Black Velvet?—”

“I know. We’re hoping to find this asshole’s identity on servers, in paperwork—something. Or that Gray will plea and tell us to save his own ass.” His grip tightened. “But if something goes wrong…”

“Don’t even think that.” They couldn’t fail, not when they were so close.

“Just stay put until I can come back for you. No matter what happens.” His face was fierce. “I can’t lose you again. Either of you.”

His hand drifted to her still-flat belly. The gesture wrenched her heart.

They were so close to freedom. So close to a real future. But to ensure these depraved bastards could never hurt another woman or child again, they had to survive the night.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Night stretched over the Caribbean, the sky a star-filled midnight blue. Room service had come and gone, leaving behind the lingering scent of grilled seafood. Nash wheeled the cart into the hallway for one of the attendants to take away. One less reason for Haisley to open the door—and one less way danger could infiltrate—while he attended tonight’s auction. And took down the flesh-peddling scum on this island.

But he fucking didn’t want to leave her.

“I stocked the fridge with water and sodas, along with a few bites of cheese. Fruit and crackers are on the counter.” He kept his voice casual. “You shouldn’t need anything else while I’m gone tonight.”

She nodded from the bed where he’d just made love to her again, clearly understanding the subtext.Stay put. Stay safe.

“When will you be back?” Her voice shook.

Nash crossed the room to her. The apprehension on her face was unmistakable. She was scared, not for herself, but for him. He squeezed her hand and did his best to send her a reassuring glance.

Damn it, he hated that they couldn’t talk freely. But if all went well, he’d never have to obscure anything he said to Haisleyagain. They would have the rest of their lives to communicate openly and honestly.

As far as Nash was concerned, that couldn’t come soon enough.

“Probably close to dawn. I’ve already made arrangements with Gray’s people for us to be on the eight-a.m. ferry tomorrow. Be ready by the time I return.”

Haisley bit her lip and nodded bravely, clearly fighting tears.

Nash wrapped his arms around her and brought her against his chest, feeling her breathe, committing every detail about her to memory—her scent, her silken hair against his jaw, the warmth of her body against his.

Outside their window, palm trees swayed and waves broke in the dark. Inside, the clock on the nightstand ticked over to 8:35. Less than a half hour until the action began. He prayed like hell this would be their final few hours in this hellhole.

His sat phone vibrated in his pocket. Time to move.

He pressed a kiss to Haisley’s temple, his hand drifting to her still-flat belly. Their miracle. Their second chance. Another reason to end this nightmare once and for all.

“I have to go.” He kept his voice carefully neutral for the cameras, but his grip tightened imperceptibly.

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