41. Sydney
CHAPTER 41
SYDNEY
Three days. It’s been three days of West, Crew, Bodie and Gracen searching, making calls and trying to figure out where Lucky could be.
It’s been two days since we went to the pier Cleo told me about and found a shipping container full of priceless art and suitcases full of cash.
They didn’t let me go check the cargo container with them, still worried I’ll be used as a bargaining chip.
Crew came dancing into the hotel room after they discovered the correct cargo container. He’d immediately started talking about how he and Lucky would move the priceless art… only for reality to set in.
Lucky still isn’t with us. I emailed them back and told them I didn’t have it. They emailed me back and told me I better get it.
West is furious, scared, and trying not to be too overprotective. But I’ve noticed we spend nights wrapped in each other’s arms now.
Crew and West are each sitting on a bed, fidgeting. Bodie is running about tearing apart San Francisco for his uncle.
The Riccis better pray I get to them first because if Bodie does, he’ll rip them to shreds with his bare hands. West has been working furiously on his laptop and making calls to Fletcher, trying his best to find Lucky.
My phone chimes and I pull it open. A text from an unknown name and number, telling me a day and time. Tomorrow 7am. Pier 68 Oakland.
I’m ready.
All I have to do is show up at the docks—alone—first thing in the morning.
They’ll give me Lucky in exchange for thirty million cash.
An easy exchange. Someone’s life or money.
The two giant briefcases full of cash we brought back from the cargo container are going to be tricky to move, but luckily Crew and West can be deep sleepers. I’ll leave extra early in the morning so they won’t suspect anything.
“Who texted?” Crew asks as he looks at me with worried eyes.
I shake my head and sigh. “Just work scheduling.”
Crew looks crestfallen. West looks at me, then stands and walks over to me. He pulls me into his arms, and I barely manage to shove my phone into my pocket before I snuggle in his arms.
“It’s okay. We’re going to find him. I have my software tracing any traffic cameras. If they move him, we’ll know.”
I wrap my arms around his waist and press my face against his firm chest. It’s the only time I feel safe anymore—when West is holding me.
The exchange is set for first thing in the morning and I have to manage not to say anything to West, Crew, or Bodie. I didn’t know I was capable of keeping secrets before this. And now in West’s arms I’m feeling another moment of weakness; the urge to tell him is almost overpowering. But if I tell him, I won’t be able to protect him. “I’m tired,” I mumble against his shirt. He bends down and scoops me off my feet, carrying me to bed cradled against his chest.
My hair’s still wet from the shower I took and I’m already wearing my pajamas. Maybe bed is exactly what I need.
West carefully tucks me in. “Do you need anything? Want a water?”
I almost say no, but then I remember I need a chance to answer that message. “A water would be great. We all know I’m as quiet as a moose when I try to get up in the night.”
West smiles at that, tussles my hair, and disappears into the bathroom.
I glance at Crew, whose back is to me while he messes with his phone. Ducking under the covers, I pull my phone from my sweatpants pocket and send a text to Fletcher explaining things. Fletcher answers immediately, assuring me everything is set in place, and then I fire off a text to the kidnappers. I’ll be there.
I poke my head back up from the covers just as West comes out shirtless wearing his sweats as well. He snaps out all the lights and climbs into bed next to me, passing me the water bottle to keep next to my bed.
“Good night,” Crew says as he heads into the bathroom to take a shower.
All these secrets. I can’t say anything to anyone because it will ruin everything.
But as I lay in bed next to West, I find that there’s one secret I don’t want to carry to my grave with me.
West is already sound asleep, so I turn to face him. I study that gorgeous profile in the moonlight one last time. “You try so hard to keep people away,” I whisper. “But I think I’m in love with you. You’d be worth the risk—as long as it’s real. Because if you don’t want me as much as I want you, it might break my heart.”
I snuggle deeper into the covers and try to fall asleep, enjoying West’s closeness one last time.
Letting out a deep sigh, I rest my head against his chest. It’s safe, solid, and sexy as far as chests go.
I quite like it.
“You really love me?” The rumble in West’s chest startles me and I nearly shriek.
I jerk back and look up at him. “I thought you were asleep!” I snap.
He smiles at me with a lazy grin.
“I wouldn’t have said all those things if I thought you were awake,” I whisper furiously as I try to recall every word I’ve said.
“You usually tell me what you’re thinking anyway,” his whisper isn’t as quiet as mine. That grin is a weapon of mass destruction, slaying hearts around the world.
“You have no idea how many things I have not said,” I shoot back.
His eyes narrow at that, and I could kick myself for saying anything. “What are you up to, Sydney Monroe?”
He glances at the wall behind me and sees the silhouette of the two suitcases.
“You wouldn’t do this, would you? You wouldn’t dare face them on your own?” His tone is quiet but angry.
I don’t answer him because he already knows. It’s completely unfair that he can read me so well.
“How could you be so selfish?” He snaps as he leans up on one elbow. “You don’t think there are people who would miss you? You go out and face them alone, and you die. You were telling me all of that because you think you’re going to die, aren’t you?”
I still can’t say anything, so I simply nod.
“You reckless, brave, little fool.”
I’m surprised when he simply grabs me into a bear hug and holds me firmly against his chest as he kisses the top of my head. “You’re the only one in the world like you. I hope you know that.”
We fall asleep entangled in each other’s arms, and I can’t help but enjoy the false sense of security that if I stay in West’s arms everything will be okay.