Page 95 of Forbidden Wish

“We won’t be sitting doing nothing,” Sersha murmured, squeezing her hand before leaning in. “We just let them think that’s the plan.”

Lachlan said he expected his sister to jump in headfirst. Maybe tonight she’d experience some of that for herself. Obviously, the woman had a plan, or at least an intention. Anything that would get them closer to the truth, and get the men out of danger, she’d follow the enigmatic McLeod.

Midnight. Of course that would be the chosen time for the meeting. In the dark, existing in the shadows while shade invaded their world.

“We’ll call you if anything happens,” her dad said, heading to the door with Ford and Jagg. “Look after each other.”

“We will.”

Strat’s eyes narrowed on Sersha. “Be good.”

“Aren’t I always?” the woman drawled, innocent and insincere.

“Hmm,” her father hummed, full of doubt.

The time for questions was short. The men had places to be and so they left. After the sound died and they were sure the men had gone, Sersha crouched to sweep something out of her fabric tote.

“Whiskey,” Sersha said, opening the top and slapping the bottle into her hand. “One slug each.”

“For? Dutch courage? What are you thinking?”

Without waiting for an answer, she complied. The liquid burned hot, catching the back of her throat in a cough that kept going.

Sersha captured the bottle and enjoyed some herself before returning it to her bag.

“We give them a half hour.”

“Then what?”

“What is your goal?” Sersha asked. “The story, I get that. You’ve got enough to print now, but you haven’t. Why?”

“Because lives are at stake. Poking around is one thing, but if I put words onto paper and send them into the world…”

“They’ll take that out on the women.”

“And get rid of the evidence.” Which the women were. “Is it worth the risk?”

“You have to eliminate their leverage. They’re using the captive women against you.”

“What do you suggest?”

“That we remove that ability. Think about it. Silvio is busy with Jagg and Ford. Your dad is watching Hustle, so no Vex to worry about. I guarantee Swerve will be at the meet. He wouldn’t want to miss it and Silvio needs his hench-child to take care of business if things go sideways. You think the victims are in the Carlyle?”

“If they’re filming there on ten, it would make sense to have them in the building. Transporting them around the city would be risky. They might get free or someone could see something and report it.”

“So we’re going to look.”

“For the women?” she asked. Sersha smiled as she nodded. “In the Carlyle.” Another nod. “You want to break in?”

“We create a distraction and slip in a back door or something. You in?”

“Have you done this before?”

“Freed captive people?” Sersha asked and semi-shrugged. “Sort of.”

“Will it work?”

“Only one way to find out,” Sersha said and grabbed her hand to pull her a few steps.

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