Chapter Thirteen
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
F ebruary came. Nash watched Haisley drift awake in the pale morning sunlight. She’d fallen asleep beside him on the window seat last night, both of them curled together while watching the stars. After he’d carried her to bed, her hands had found his in the darkness, their fingers interlacing as they’d shared passion, followed by more unspoken thoughts about their lost son.
Despite the surveillance, despite the danger, they’d grown closer this past week. Now, her sleepy smile warmed places inside him he’d thought had frozen over when she’d left him.
She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, then stood and stretched. “You’re thinking too loud.”
“Just lots on my mind.” He pressed a kiss to her temple, drinking in her familiar vanilla-musk scent while he could, before she made her way to the bathroom.
They’d been here too long. This place kept trying to chip away at her soul, but she remained so damn brave. Fierce. Ready to fight. He’d never been prouder—or more terrified for her.
Nearly a week had passed since she’d confessed the devastating truth about their son. Her admission had changed everything between them. Now when their eyes met across a room, he saw not just love but absolute trust. Each casual touch carried the weight of shared grief and renewed hope. But that made the horror of this place harder to stomach. This trafficking operation was bigger than any of them had first imagined, and the intel they’d gathered made his blood boil.
Unfortunately, their sources were drying up. Martinez in maintenance had gone silent. Lia, Gray’s secretary, had vanished—and Nash tried not to think about what that might mean. Even Karliah hadn’t picked up anything useful at the spa lately. This fucking investigation felt like three steps forward and two steps back.
But quitting wasn’t an option.
Haisley emerged with clean teeth and curled onto her usual spot on the window seat, propping a book on her knees.
He passed her a cup of coffee, and she thanked him with a smile. Sunlight caught her fiery hair, and his chest tightened.
To his knowledge, she hadn’t had her period since arriving on the island. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. After what happened last time… Images flashed through his mind—her alone in that hospital room, holding their dying son. Grief wrenched his chest. His hands curled into fists. If she was pregnant again, he’d burn this whole fucking island down before he’d let anyone hurt her or their child.
He forced the thought away. More immediate concerns first.
His sat phone buzzed. He pulled it from his pocket and answered, keeping his voice carefully neutral. “Jasper King here.”
“It’s Hunter. You good there?”
Something in the boss’s tone had Nash’s pulse quickening. “Define good.”
Hunter snorted. “Kane mentioned setbacks with your intel sources. But that footage he took during that storm last week. We’ve combed through it. And we shared it with the FBI.”
“Anything new on that front?”
“They’re taking point but can’t move until the next auction.”
Damn it. Nash would love to get Haisley off the island, but he couldn’t unless this ring got busted up…or Haisley turned up pregnant. “No idea when that will be.”
“Looking like Friday.” Hunter’s voice crackled through the encryption. “The feds are prepping a team to come in. We’ll pass on as they advise.”
Finally. Light at the end of the tunnel. “Thanks for the info.”
“There’s more. The FBI’s theory about Benedict seems solid. He was a mid-level player at best. Expendable, so when he botched the mall operation, he put the whole ring at risk. Black Velvet or someone close had him eliminated, staged to look like a murder-suicide. By the way, the dental records came back. The mistress was the other body. She was collateral damage—wrong place, wrong time.”
Nash absorbed that information. “Makes sense.”
“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.
“You seem nervous.” Dr. Haynes’s eyes gleamed as she prepared the needle. “But I’m told, Mr. King, that your recent diligence to the process has been quite admirable. I think the word I heard was vigorous. Much better than your initial…hesitation.”
Nash lounged in a nearby chair, the picture of casual dominance. But Haisley caught the tension in his jaw and the slight narrowing of his eyes that betrayed his hatred for this woman.
“I’m getting what I paid for,” he drawled. “And I’m enjoying it.”
The needle slid home. Haisley flinched, heart thundering, as she watched her blood fill the vial. Her skin felt clammy. Her stomach roiled. Please, not here. Not now. Not in this place where they sold people like commodities …
Once the tube was full, Dr. Haynes inserted the sample into her handheld device with an air of smug satisfaction. Seconds crawled by like hours. Haisley held her breath. She didn’t know what to wish for. Getting pregnant here would be terrifying. Dangerous. But a positive test was her ticket home. On the other hand, the opportunity to start a family with Nash. During her two lonely years in California, she’d wanted nothing more…
Finally, the doctor’s smile widened. “Congratulations, Mr. King. Your investment—and your efforts—have paid off. She’s pregnant.”
The words hit Haisley square in the chest. A storm of emotions crashed through her—terror, wonder, hope, dread. Her vision blurred as memories crashed over her of her last positive test, the terrifying solitude, the devastating loss. Now here she was again, carrying Nash’s child. And instead of loneliness and fear, she was battling uncertainty and danger. Her hands flew protectively to her stomach as tears pricked her eyes.
“Given last week’s negative test,” the doctor began, “I’m guessing conception took place in the last seven to twelve days. If you carry the baby to term, she’ll be delivering in October.”
Haisley scanned her memory. She’d broken down and told Nash about her miscarriage eleven days ago. They’d made love with their bodies—and hearts—that night. From the ashes of that confession had risen another child, another chance at their future.
She turned to Nash. He wore a smug smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. What was he really thinking? Was he happy? Upset? Angry? Was his smirk just to satisfy the horrible doctor…or a true reflection of his feelings? After their heart-wrenching conversation about their lost son, she thought she’d understood his heart. But lately, he’d been so closed off, so focused on whatever he wasn’t telling her…
“Excellent.” Even Nash’s voice failed to hint at what he was thinking.
“Quite.” The doctor began gathering her things. “We can take her down to medical this afternoon for her first exam?—”
“That won’t be necessary.” Nash waved a dismissive hand. “We’ll be leaving after tonight’s auction.”
“You’re attending?”
Nash shrugged. “Like I said, I’ve enjoyed the process. Why not add another breeder to my collection?”
Horror sliced through Haisley. Even knowing he didn’t mean those words, hearing him talk about women like cattle made her skin crawl. This place had forced him to behave like someone he wasn’t—the kind of man who could say such things without flinching.
Dr. Haynes nodded, seemingly satisfied as she typed on her phone. “Mr. Gray will be pleased to hear of your success. I’m sure he’ll be happy to help you add another mare to your stable. If you’re interested in maximizing your investments, we have lucrative options. The research market pays handsomely for fresh fetal tissue. Or there are buyers who would plunk down a fortune and take the infant off your hands after delivery…”
Haisley smothered a gasp of horror as she fought to shove her subservient mask back in place. These monsters weren’t just sex traffickers; they were baby brokers. Monsters who sold infants to the highest bidder.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Nash’s expression never changed.
How did he do it? How did he maintain such iron control? Haisley wanted to scream.
“Congratulations again.” Dr. Haynes swept from the room, leaving behind the acrid scent of antiseptic and evil.
The moment the door clicked shut, Nash was on his feet. His fingers made quick work of the buttons on her blouse. “Time to celebrate, sweet thing. Let’s fuck.”
Haisley recoiled internally even as she forced herself to lean into his touch. She hated this—hated that their intimate moments had become performances for their captors. Hated that Nash had learned to play this role so convincingly.
He guided her to the bathroom. She caught glimpses of his face in the mirrors they passed—taut with some emotion she couldn’t read. He’d seemed on edge all week, wound tight as a spring. Had the pregnancy news only upset him more?
He flipped on both shower and music before stripping them both and pulling her under the spray. The moment his lips found her ear, his mask dissolved. She saw joy in his eyes.
“A baby,” he whispered, voice raw with emotion. “Our baby.” His hand splayed protectively across her belly. “I swear to God, I’ll die before I let them hurt either of you.”
Relief flooded her. This was her Nash—the man who’d mourned their lost son, who had promised her a future filled with the family they both wanted.
“So…you’re happy?”
“Thrilled, baby.” He cupped her face and kissed her like no other woman existed in this world but her. “This may not have been planned or happened how you wanted it, but?—”
“None of that matters if I’m with you. C-can we really just leave tonight?”
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.