Nash's voice jolted more emotion through her body than she knew what to do with. Especially with duct tape covering her mouth. She was relieved to the point of tears. But she was also terrified for his safety. The last few minutes convinced her of a few things. Chester didn't plan on letting any of them walk out of there. He wanted the jewels. And no witnesses.
But Nash would anticipate that. She desperately wished she knew his plan.
Not that she could do anything to help with a mile of duct tape spooled around her.
Dear God, please . . . please . . . No matter what else happens, please keep Nash safe.
Chapter 23
The door of the cottage creaked open. Manny stepped out and walked straight toward Nash.
"Stop right there," Nash said when Manny was about twenty yards away.
Manny jabbed his thumb toward the cottage. "Mr. Chester wants me to check out what you brought. If it really is the jewels, he wants all of them this time. And then he'll let the girl go."
"Yeah, that was the deal," Nash said, purposefully sounding like the messenger and not the man in charge. He tossed the bag of jewels at Manny's feet. "Have a look. Emil says they're all there. But you don't take them to your boss until I see the girl."
Manny nodded and stooped to pick up the jewels.
"And don't try anything," Nash said. "I guarantee you, I am a much better shot than you are."
Manny sneered. "You don't need to threaten me. I'm just following orders. Like you."
Manny peeked in the bag, pulled out a necklace and a couple of bracelets, then tossed them back in. He turned to face the cottage. "It's all here!"
"Send Lena out!" Nash yelled. "He doesn't go anywhere with the jewels until I see her."
He could barely make out her silhouette through the front window. That wasn't good enough.
A muffled scraping sound escaped the cottage. Someone was dragging Lena's chair closer to the window. Another interior light turned on. Lena's innocent face, and a ridiculous amount of duct tape, appeared inches from the front window.
Chester called through the crack in the front door. "You see her now? I'm walking out. And after I'm clear of the cottage, you can come in. The boys got a little duct tape-happy. Have fun with that. But she's not hurt."
Chester walked out of the cottage. He locked his untrusting gaze on Nash while nervously sidestepping toward the waiting boat. When he got to the pier, he called to Manny. "Okay, bring the jewels to me. We're going." Heswung a finger from Nash to the cottage. "You can have the girl. But don't follow us or you'll get shot."
Not likely.
Manny gripped the bag and walked backward toward the boat, apparently scared that Nash might shoot him in the back. He wouldn't do that, of course, but Manny didn't know that.
"Hang on," Nash called out. "Where's Frank?"
Chester grinned. "He's not here."
"I'm not an idiot," Nash said. He pointed his weapon at Chester. "I'm a good shot, Chester. Don't lie to me. You got your jewels. I'm not getting shot by one of your goons tonight. Get him out here. Now."
Chester scowled. "All right, all right." He glanced at the cottage and raised his voice. "Frank, come on. Come out to the pier. We're going."
Frank stumbled into the moonlight from behind the cottage.
Nash waved his gun toward the end of the pier. "All three of you, get in the boat."
"Gladly," Chester said. He grabbed the pouch of jewels from Manny and scurried across the creaky planks of the old pier, Frank shuffling through the sand to catchup. Until three stealthy masses rushed from the shadows, shouting orders for them to freeze.
Nash bolted for the cottage. He burst through the door and found Lena, her teary eyes smiling. The muffled sounds behind her duct-taped mouth were easy to interpret.
"I know, I know." He eyed the duct tape. "This is gonna hurt, baby, sorry."
The term of endearment just slipped out. But her gaze, so full of relief, and maybe much more, didn't seem to mind.
