He tossed the comment at Cassidy.
Nash was sure Cassidy was about to say something else, probably demand more information. But that wasn't a good idea.
"Yes, sir," Nash said. "Ladies." He gestured toward the door, walking toward them with eye contact he hoped they both understood.Don't say anything more. Just walk out the door.
Lena looked concerned but cooperative. He was sure Cassidy was about to offer her two cents on the plan until he saw Lena dig her fingers into Cassidy's arm.
"Ow," Cassidy whined.
He ushered them both into the hallway before Cassidy could say anything more to Emil.
"Close the door behind you," Emil called out.
Nash obeyed.
In the foyer, he shot Cassidy an unpleasant, uncompromising glare. "Outside. Now." He hurried them out the front door as quickly as possible and pulled out his phone to call Jason.
"Why are you giving orders?" Cassidy asked.
Nash held up a finger. When his call was answered, he said, "Hey. I have Cassidy and Lena with me. I'm sending them to you. They'll be in Emil's SUV."
"Wait a minute," Cassidy said. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm—"
He held up his finger again.
"Yeah, at the entrance to the private drive. Yes, both of them."
"I don't take orders from you," Cassidy said. "I know where the jewels are. Well, half of them. The ones that weren't in the safe."
Nash spoke into the phone again. "Yes, that's Cassidy, and they're both coming to you. I'll call back in a few minutes."
He ended the call and shoved the phone into his pocket. "Okay, Cassidy, I'll hear you out. But I'm not forgetting that you were wrong about the jewels being in that life jacket." He almost asked if she'd lied on purpose, but she was already staring daggers at him, and he still needed her cooperation.
She crossed her arms. "This isn't any of your business. I'm going to get the jewels back, return them to their rightful owner, and clear my name."
"Keep your voice down. We don't have much time. What do you want to tell me about the jewels? Emil split them up?"
Her arms uncrossed and snapped to her sides, her hands flexing—possibly wishing to strangle him.
"You don't seem to understand, so I'll use small words. I don't—"
"Cass." Lena's sharp-as-glass reprimand in that one syllable halted her cousin's protest.
Cassidy turned to Lena. "I don't know where you found this guy, but he's not in charge." She spun around to face him, finger pointed at his chest. "Make Lena go. She can get out of here, away from all this. But I need to get the jewels, and I need you to stay out of my way."
Cassidy's persistence was more than an irritation—it could get her killed. He wasn't going to allow that.
Lena watched Nash's face harden with a confidence that told her she and Cassidy would be in the SUV in a few seconds, even if Nash had to pick Cassidy up and put her in himself. She didn't want it to come to that.
She pleaded with Cassidy. "Cass, please. He knows what he's doing. Please trust him."
One perfectly shaped eyebrowraised. "You trust him?"
"I trust him with every fiber of my being." The effortless declaration felt heady.
Cassidy's stark surprise shifted to an assessing squint.
"Cass, I don't want you to get hurt. He has a team. They can help. They know what they're doing. Let's get out of here."
