Page 115 of Wicked and Claimed

The girl shrank from Kane’s touch.

“I did. Back the fuck off, Manford.” Ethan’s jaw tightened, a muscle jumping beneath his skin. “This one’s mine. Every. Last. Inch.”

“Greedy bastard.” Kane charged Ethan, shoving him off the dock and onto the beach, close to the shoreline.

Nash followed their act, herding them a few extra feet toward the waves as he pretended to break up their scuffle and far enough from the surveillance equipment to talk. The morning breeze should carry their words to the wind. The waves would conceal the rest.

“We succeeded last night. No one questioned anything,” Ethan murmured, voice low.

Thank god. “How did you simulate showing her virgin blood on stage?”

Ethan flipped a hand over to reveal a small cut, now scabbing over. “Rubbed it on myself. Seems to have worked. She’s still exactly as advertised—completely untouched. But the poor girl is going to need therapy.”

No doubt. “Good job faking it.”

Garrison dragged Kaylee to his side and slung his arm around her, resting it possessively on her hip. “Hunter contacted her parents, so the moment we hit the mainland, she’ll be back with them.”

For the benefit of the cameras, Kane crowded closer to the shivering girl, looking as if he was still angling for a trade. His fingers toyed with her exposed collarbone as he spoke under his breath. “Listen. I found something useful during my nocturnal wandering last night. While most everyone was busy with the auction, I chatted up this guard. Martinez—local guy, been here three years. He’s got a conscience and a sick kid who needs surgery. For five grand, he showed me a maintenance access point. Perfect spot to upload Stone’s security crawler without detection.”

“Nice work.” Nash clapped Kane’s shoulder, playing the role of impressed colleague while his mind raced through implications. “Where can I find it?”

“Southeast corner, hidden service tunnel behind the spa building. Martinez will be on duty at two a.m. when that section of the security grid goes down briefly for maintenance. That’s our window.”

Before they could say more, the ferry appeared on the horizon, a white slash against the bright Caribbean water.

Ethan grabbed Kaylee’s arm, his grip looking harder than it was, as he hauled her back to the pier—and back within range of the surveillance. “Time to go, pet.” He turned to the others with a wolfish grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Try not to have too much fun without me. When I get bored with Little Miss Please-Don’t, I’ll be back.”

“If we save any pussy for you,” Nash called after him, the words tasting like acid.

Kane leered one last time at Kaylee before Ethan dragged her onto the boat. Once the vessel cast off and disappeared into the morning haze, Nash breathed a sigh of relief as he and Kane strolled the shoreline. At least they’d managed to save one innocent girl. They just had to figure out how to save the rest—and who wanted to enslave them in the first place.

“Martinez says the maintenance access leads to their central hub,” Kane murmured. “If you can get Trees in remotely through that portal, we might be able to access their whole system.”

“Including surveillance feeds?”

“Everything, I think. But we’ll need a distraction to cover your movements.”

They worked out the details, timing each step. Kane would create a commotion that made all the cameras hiccup while Nash accessed the tunnel. They’d have maybe ten minutes total.

With the mission set, Nash headed back to check on Haisley. She was still curled on her side, face seemingly peaceful in sleep, fiery hair spread across the pillow. The sight made his chest ache.

Exhaustion pummeled him. After last night’s ordeal, they both needed rest. He eased onto the bed, careful not to wake her as he pulled her close. Within moments, his eyes grew heavy…until a knock startled Nash awake.

He blinked, stunned to find the sun high in the sky. Hours had passed. He jumped into a pair of sweatpants, wondering who the fuck was disturbing them and why. Was Gray or one of his henchmen onto them?

Haisley sat up in bed, sheet pulled over her breasts as she gasped and looked his way, seemingly frozen in fear. He tried to send her a reassuring expression as he headed across the room to open the door.

Room service wheeled in an elaborate champagne brunch and set up a linen-clad table near the ocean-view window.

“If you require anything else, sir, use the house phone to call the concierge.” Then, with a bow, the waiter disappeared.

“Hungry?” Nash asked.

“No.”

After last night, he didn’t blame her, but she needed to keep up her strength. “You should eat.”

Haisley hesitated, looking as if she intended to argue. Instead, she nodded and rose, slipping back into the silk robe. “Give me a minute.”

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