“The child?”
“Not here. Should we look for her?”
“No. We got who the boss wants. Let’s go.”
A surge of grim satisfaction warmed Lachlan's chest. They were focused on him. Not his little girl. Not Britt. And they wanted him alive.
He barely registered the hands dragging him across the floor, glass slicing and scraping his skin. Consciousness came in waves. Dark, then light. Silence, then sound. The grating sound of his body being pulled over jagged rocks and loose gravel resonated through the air as he was dragged down the narrow, treacherous cliff path.
“Careful with him,” a voice hissed. “Boss wants him intact.”
They dragged him unceremoniously across the beach, his boots leaving parallel tracks in the wet sand. The sea loomed ahead. Water splashed against his battered body as they reached a sleek, unmarked boat designed for stealth operations—matte black hull, sound-dampened engines, no running lights. The boat's engines hummed to life, barely audible above the gentle lapping of waves.
They hoisted him aboard, tossing his body like a ragdoll onto the hard surface. Lachlan gazed up at the star-strewn Caribbean sky. As darkness claimed him, a fierce, determined hope flared in his heart. This wasn't the end. It was merely an interruption. Britt was alive. Paloma was safe. After years of emptiness, he'd found his heart again. This separation would be temporary—he'd make damn sure of that.
Chapter 42
“I want to wait up for Daddy,” Paloma said with a yawn that stretched her cute face. She rubbed her tired eyes with the back of her hand as Britt carried her to the bed. She’d taken Paloma to the suite she’d stayed in during her first days at the compound, grateful that the biometric sensors hadn’t been reset and still opened with her handprint.
The trek through the underground tunnel passed in a blur. Emerging in the jungle rattled Britt. A disturbing reminder of the night she’d fled for her life after breaking free of the underground facility. But the threat this time was direct and imminent. And she wasn’t alone. She had to protect her little girl at all costs. Racing through the jungle trail, Britt had been impressed by Paloma’s determination to follow her daddy’s instructions and get to safety. Faint sounds of the attack on the house kept them moving quickly, but there’d been no signs that they were being followed. It was the only reason they’d made it to the compound in record time.
As Britt pressed the metal stingray card against the access panel, she glanced around the deserted space blanketed in silence. This part of the mountain was completely shielded from the mayhem at Lachlan’s home on the cliffs below. No signs ofany attackers. Lachlan had been right. They only wanted him. It was a cold consolation to know her daughter was safe, but the man who owned her heart was not. And Britt needed to know why.
“How about I make you a promise?” Britt suggested, pulling back the covers as she placed Paloma on the edge of the bed. She slipped the muddy sneakers from the child’s feet, then helped her out of the sweaty clothes.
“What’s the promise?” Paloma gripped the Celtic knot on the chain Lachlan had draped around her neck. Her small fingers rubbed the smooth surface. Britt helped her into a Barbie sleep gown, then lifted her further onto the bed.
“You go to sleep, and I’ll wake you up as soon as your Daddy gets here. Remember how important Daddy says it is to get rest. He doesn’t want you to be tired in the morning,” Britt said, hoping that would do the trick.
Paloma’s gaze drifted from Britt toward the closed door of the luxurious suite. “You’re sure he knows we are here? He’ll find us?”
“Yes. We did exactly what Daddy told us to do. He knows we’re here, and he’ll be here soon,” Britt said, praying her words were true. That Lachlan had gotten away from the Quattro mercenaries and was making his way to the compound.
Yawning again, Paloma blinked slowly as sleep threatened to overtake her. She took a deep breath, then laid back on the pillow. Britt pulled Mr. Bow from the backpack and tucked the teddy bear under her little girl’s arm. Paloma held onto the toy bear tightly. “Okay. Don’t forget to wake me up.”
“I won’t.” Britt leaned over and kissed Paloma on the forehead. She stroked a hand through her curly dark hair, waiting for several minutes until she heard her daughter’s soft snores. Satisfied that the child would sleep until morning, Britt exited the suite, securing the biometric lock behind her.
The click of boots on marble alerted Britt to someone's approach. A woman emerged from around the corner, her eyes widening slightly upon seeing Britt. Though Britt couldn't recall her name or how they knew each other. She moved forward hesitantly, concentrating on the woman's face, willing her fractured memory to provide even the smallest clue about their connection.
“I didn’t know how I’d feel when I finally saw you,” the woman said, staring at her. “I can’t believe you’re … alive. That you’re here. I’m sorry. I promised myself I wouldn’t cry.” A shaky laugh escaped her lips.
“We were friends,” Britt said, feeling guilty for the memories locked away in her mind. The woman's presence had an instant calming effect, like finding an anchor in a storm. Britt sensed this was someone who had shared her darkest moments and who understood the weight she carried. Having her here meant Britt wouldn't have to face Stingray's intimidating team of operatives alone.
“Close friends,” the woman acknowledged. “We kind of bonded over having fathers who were in gangs. My dad was in the PC-5 for a long time. Yours in Quattro. We were GKs. Gangster’s Kids.” She laughed. “A unique upbringing that most people can’t relate to … what am I doing?” She ran a hand down the long braid draped over her shoulder. “I’m Remi. I know you don’t remember me, but I hope you will soon. I really would love to have my friend back.”
“Remi.” The name was familiar and comforting, like a favorite melody. Britt squinted, looking at the friendly face. “Lachlan says I need to make new memories until I can remember the old. How about we do that?” Britt said, reaching for the woman’s hand.
“Now that’s worth a hug.” Remi pulled her into a tight embrace. Pulling away, she said, “I’m glad you got here safe. Any signs you were followed?”
“No.” Britt shook her head, then glanced down the hallway at the open door to the war room. “I’m actually surprised that anyone is at the compound right now. I thought Paloma and I would be here alone.”
“The security alarm on Lachlan’s house is programmed to alert all members of Stingray when there’s a breach. Bobby and I took the boat over as soon as it came through.”
“Bobby?” Britt blurted out, surprised by her confusion. “Don’t you mean Everett?” She wasn’t sure why she was so sure that Remi and Everett were connected. She glanced down at the massive diamond on Remi’s left hand, then back to her face, which was clouded by a sudden wariness. Britt had inadvertently poked an old wound.
Shifting from one foot to the other, Remi twisted the wedding band nervously around her finger. “Maybe your memories aren’t so far away after all. I did get married, but not to Everett. I married Bobby. It’s a long story. I’ll catch you up … after we find out what’s going on with Lachlan.” She walked down the hall, and Britt fell into step next to her. “Bobby’s in the war room monitoring the security feeds. Directing the guys to get to Lachlan before Quattro takes him away?—”
“So Lachlan is fighting them off? There’s a chance he’ll get away and make it back here?”
