Page 57 of Wicked and Bound

“About Mila… They think she stumbled onto her husband’s affair. Maybe she suspected or even caught them at the house. That’s probably why she was at the office that night you and Haisley broke in. Either way, she was probably taken because she knew too much.”

“Maybe. But where to?” Nash asked carefully.

“She’s got to be on the island. They took Haisley directly there, right? You’ll find her during the raid. Keep your eyes open. I’m communicating with Karliah, too, in case Mila comes through the spa before Friday night. Speaking of the auction, you and Kane need to create a distraction. Ethan arrives tomorrow to bid in person. We’re giving you and Kane a budget to do the same since only buyers with confirmed bank accounts can attend.”

Nash’s gaze strayed to Haisley. She’d set aside her book, watching him intently. His chest ached. “Good plan.”

“One more thing…” Hunter’s voice hardened. “Don’t tell anyone else about the raid. The fewer people who know, the better.”

The implication hit Nash like a blade between his ribs. Hunter was forbidding him from telling Haisley? “That’s not going to work.”

“Not my call. The feds insist. If this op goes south and Haisley is questioned…”

“Ignorance won’t save—”her.But he couldn’t voice the rest of his thought, not with surveillance everywhere. “This is bullshit.”

“These are the feds’ rules. You understand? Blow this off, and never mind me firing you. They’ll assume you’re an accomplice and arrest your ass.”

Nash gritted his teeth. He fucking hated it, but Hunter was right. “Yeah, yeah.”

“I’ll pretend that wasn’t completely insubordinate. Keep your head down. Stay alert. I’ll be in touch.”

The call ended. Nash shoved the phone into his pocket with a growl, his thoughts racing. By the weekend, this nightmare might be over. But until then, he had to lie to the woman he loved. After promising no more secrets between them.

Fucking feds.

Haisley rose and crossed to him on silent feet. “Everything okay?”

“Just business.” He forced himself to spit out the lie. “Nothing to worry about.”

Doubt flickered across her face, but she nodded. Her faith in him twisted the knife deeper.

He pulled her into his arms, and she came willingly, fitting against him like she’d been made just for him. Her familiar musky vanilla scent wrapped around him. For a moment, he could almost forget where they were. Almost.

But reality was a cold bastard. In a few days, this place would become a war zone. The Velvet Cove would defend itself. Bullets would fly. Blood would be spilled. He pictured her alone in their suite while he was across the compound at the auction. Pictured armed guards breaking down their door. Pictured her being dragged away, used as leverage. His arms tightened around her.

And what if she was pregnant again? The timing, their lack of protection, the frequency and urgency of their encounters lately… He placed a hand across her belly protectively. He’d rather die than lose another baby.

“Everything okay?” Worry tinged her voice. “You’re shaking.”

He buried his face in her hair, breathing her in. Outside their window, the sun turned the Caribbean water a bright glittering blue, but the beauty was a lie, just like everything about this place.

Everything except Haisley, except the love between them.

And in a handful of days, he’d either get her safely home or die trying. He just prayed they survived…and she forgave him for harboring this one last secret.

When Dr. Haynes bustled into their suite that Friday morning, her smile glinted like a scalpel. “Time for this week’s test, dear. Hold out your arm.”

Haisley’s stomach churned as she perched on the edge of the sofa. She’d been dreading this moment all week, since realizing her last period had been in late December. She and Nash hadn’t been at all careful. They couldn’t be, given their circumstances.

And the last time she’d missed her monthly…

Shoving the thought aside, Haisley’s gaze darted to Nash. His face gave away nothing. Her stomach churned nervously.

Something had been different about him since Monday. More phone calls. More early morning runs with Kane that left him tense and distracted. When she’d asked what was wrong, he had brushed off her concerns with a casual “nothing.” But she knew better. After two weeks of watching him, she recognized the signs.

Something was going on…and he wasn’t telling her.

Trembling, she extended her arm.

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