Chapter 51
Lucas is coming out of the bathroom when Belle knocks on the door. “Guys,” she calls. “I’m back.”
My eyes widen when I realize Lucas is in nothing more than a white towel lashed around his waist.
“Clothes!” I wave my hands and hiss.
He shrugs like it’s no big deal for him to be nearly naked.
He opens the door, Belle breezes in, skidding to a halt and blinking at his bare chest.
Justice steps in behind her. He chuckles, “For the love of god, put some clothes on, you’re scaring the woman.”
Lucas casually walks over to his duffel bag and fishes out a shirt and some briefs.
As much as I love his muscular butt, please tell me he’s not going to drop his towel. Belle might keel over.
She’s staring at me as is with an expression that only another woman could understand.
I frown at her and clear my throat, trying to ignore the fact that Lucas is pulling on his boxer briefs under his towel.
My voice comes out squeaky. “What did you find out?”
Belle’s staring. This time, at Lucas.
Justice nudges her shoulder. “Your tongue is going to get dirty on this floor.”
“Sorry, what?” Belle blinks.
Lucas lets the towel drop and tugs on his shirt. He looks at us like nothing at all is amiss. “What did you find out about the crates?”
“They’re gone.”
Justice lifts a brow. “Brian and Pembrook think they are being taken to Carollia.”
Lucas considers this. “Hm. Interesting, but vague.”
Belle sighs out her frustration. “You know how those two are. Sorry, not to diss them, but they’re not really keen on keeping up with things. Anyway, they said that the crates were moved to Carollia, and that’s where some meetings are taking place.”
I pick at my fingernails. Not that I have any left. “How can we find out where they went?”
Scout steps inside the door and tips his chin at everyone. “Did you say find something?”
Lucas grins. “The crates.”
Scout shoulders farther into the living space. “Aren’t you lucky to have me?” He’s got his laptop in his hand and a confident expression on his face. Not that any of these SEALs lack confidence.
“I put a GPS tracker on the guy’s truck.”
“Which guy?” I ask.
“The one that got rough with you. I didn’t like him.”
Belle blinks a few times, her confusion obvious. “So, you tracked him?”
Scout casts a side glance at her. “Didn’t know if Beast would want to pay him another visit.”
Lucas chuckles and fist-bumps him. “Right on, brother. Where are we going?”
The guys all perk up. My stomach falls. Belle just looks confused.
“A place in Carollia. Looks like a cluster of businesses, possibly a rudimentary shopping district.”
Lucas slaps Scout on the back. “Hot damn, we’re going to find out where that money is going and do it fast.”
Belle’s gaze flicks between mine and Lucas’s. “What money are you talking about?”
I turn to stone. She wasn’t supposed to know.
Lucas’s gaze flicks to mine. “Fuck.”
Belle’s expression turns panicked. “What’s wrong?”
A whole lot.
Actually, everything.
Justice wraps his arm around Belle’s shoulders. “You might not be taking that ride with the Italians. But I’ll get you to the airport when we wrap something up.”
He sweeps her toward the door.
She’s muttering the whole way, but I can’t make out what she’s saying.
Lucas looks into my eyes and threads his fingers around the back of my neck. “I fucked that up. Justice will keep her tied up until we take care of this.”
“Tied up?” I shriek.
“Honey, it was a metaphorical saying.” He motions for Scout to sit at the table as he gently pushes me toward the other chair. “Let’s get this planned out.”
I step away from Lucas. “Scout, would you mind giving me a minute alone with Beast, here?”
Scout’s brows go up, but he stands up and strolls out, leaving his laptop on the table.
When the door’s closed, I drop my voice. “Why is Scout here? Isn’t he supposed to be working on your case?”
“Evan, Levi, and Nyx are on it.”
My insides flinch hard.
That’s her name.Nicks… or Nics… how do you even spell that?
“Nyx, who’s that?”
He crosses his arms and looks down at me. “Nyx is an interpreter that’s worked with our team before. Marshall sent her to help, along with Levi who will be filling in since I’m out.”
I stand stiffly before him. A tangle of worries muddles my mind.
“Belle knows something now. Justice obviously does too. What about Scout?”
Nighthawk said that I could tell Lucas. Does that mean if he knows, the team will know also?
Lucas crosses his arms. “Scout knows everything.”
My eyes widen. “Does everyone know what… I mean, who I am?”
I’m not sure why, but this feels like a gigantic betrayal.
Anotherbetrayal.
He shrugs casually, as if my life isn’t tangled up in this mess. “My team does. That’s how we operate.”
I’m a little breathless when I speak. “Is that a good idea?”
Lucas steps closer, so all I can see is him. “Babe, trust me on this.”
I stare at the center of his chest, feeling unsteady. My insecurities are roaring.
He touches me, carefully, just resting his hand on my shoulder. Letting his thumb slide lazily back and forth over my collarbone. “Let us help you. I promise it’s safe.”
I exhale. The breath trembles out of me. “I don’t know… I’m not comfortable.”
I’m tugged forward until I’m pressed against Lucas’s chest. His hand cups my head, reminding me how big he is. “Sweetheart, I’ve known these men for nearly two decades. Nighthawk knows how we operate. My team would never do anything to compromise you, or your safety. And they’ve got my back.”
“But you quit your job.”
He tenses. His reply is rough. “I know. But that doesn’t mean they won’t help me however they can. Basically, they’re refusing to let me walk away. Which is why Evan is making sure we join everyone for dinner tonight.”
I try to pull away, but he won’t let me. His head drops until his chin is resting on top of mine. “You’re wound tight. What else is going on?”
“I’m just… exhausted. I need closure. I need to know if I’ve ruined my whole career and thrown everything away.”
His embrace tightens. “We’re fixing this for you tonight. I’ve got you, babe.”
I try not to let his warmth and gentle words slide into me. I can’t be vulnerable with him anymore.
He sets me away from him and cups his palm against my cheek. “Let us do what we do. Our team is wired tight.”
I look down and pull away.
Wired tight. His team. With the woman.
The ache that comes after those thoughts hurts far worse than anything I’ve felt in years… maybe ever.
My hands are shaky as I take a seat at the table.
Lucas opens the door and whistles. A few seconds later Scout is back, striding through the door.
He glances between us, wearing a frown. “See? This is why I don’t get involved with women. Complicated. I just don’t have any patience for lover’s quarrels.”
Lucas punches him in the arm. “That was an intelligent, mature discussion between a man and a woman. As the man who avoids women like he does shrapnel, it’s something you clearly have no experience with.”
Neither do I… because if I did, I’d just tell Lucas what I saw. But I’m not ready to find out the truth of what that’s about.