Page 154 of Into the Woods

Ash hesitated. “Actually? We might’ve dodged a pretty big fucking bullet.”

Court moved behind me, looping an arm around my waist and anchoring me to his chest. “How so?”

Ash leaned back, the chair creaking as he stretched. “Because someone tipped off every international and domestic agency in Europe and called the damn press. The top law enforcement agencies in this corner of the world are fighting over who gets the credit. They’re already calling this the largest human trafficking bust this century. With this much press, they can’t sweep this shit under the rug, even if they try.”

“How does that help us?” Ryan demanded, all business even as his fingers lazily drew circles on Maddie’s hip.

“This many people, they’re going to take the U.S. task force at their word. Lieutenant Striker is planning to keep our involvement to a minimum in the public eye. She likes the idea of having—and I quote—‘an elite task force in my back pocket.’”

Court scoffed. “We’re not dogs that she can bring to heel.”

Ash arched a brow. “No, but she is in a position to help keep us secret and let us work in the shadows. The longer we can keep Phoenix International quiet, the better it’ll be for all of us. Eventually someone will draw the connection between us and what we do. When that happens…” He sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth.

Court’s arm tightened around me. “It’ll put us and the people we love in danger.”

Ash nodded. “Exactly.”

Ryan exhaled and rested his forehead on Maddie’s shoulder. “Okay. Maybe it’s not a bad thing that someone tipped off the press.”

I cleared my throat. “It was my dad.”

All eyes turned to me.

“You saw your dad?” Court asked softly.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe start at the beginning?”

“It can wait,” Court told him. “She needs to rest.”

“It’s okay,” I assured him, even as a weary shudder rippled through my bones.

“Bex, you look exhausted,” Maddie pointed out, biting her lower lip as worry filled her azure eyes.

“What if we table this for an hour or so?” Ash suggested. “Royal, Rook, and Bishop will be back by then, and you won’t have to repeat the story.”

“I could really use a shower,” I murmured, tipping my head back to look at Court.

He didn’t look happy but gave a single nod. “Fine. Shower, food, and then we’ll chat.”

“Hospital,” I reminded him.

“Okay,” he gritted out. “But then your ass is in bed for the foreseeable future.”

“Yes, sir,” I quipped, loving the way his eyes heated.

His hand covered the curve of my hip, his thumb stroking my ass. “Let’s go.”

“Wait. What about Linc?” I needed to know that he was okay, too.

Ash grimaced. “Linc is fine.”

“But—”

Court turned me in his arms. “We’ll tell you the whole plan when we’re all together.” He looked over my shoulder at Ryan. “Can you guys order some food?”

“I’m not hungry,” I mumbled, my stomach the last thing I wanted to think about.

---