Page 41 of Innocent Target

“Long enough to know she’s a good person who doesn’t deserve the shit she’s had to deal with.”

“On that we agree.”

Her interrogation was halted as James and Beth moved to them, his arm around her shoulders. Beth offered her a shaky smile in greeting, but she left her brother’s hold as she slid into Miles’s arms. The move told Mercy more about their relationship than words ever would. James frowned, but she took his hand, and he turned his attention from his sister to her.

“This is Miles,” Mercy said pointedly, giving James a warning look not to go all protective big brother given the circumstances.

He got the hint and held his hand out to Miles. “James. It’s good to meet you. Thank you for keeping Beth safe.”

Miles shook his hand, and Mercy saw the relief wash over Beth’s gaunt face. “My pleasure. Beth is very special to me.”

“Where is Abbie? Is she safe?”

The question almost gutted Mercy, and she felt James stiffen beside her. “I’m so sorry, Beth.”

Beth seemed to crumble at his words, and Miles caught her as her knees gave way. James fell to his knees in front of his sister and took her hand as Miles supported her. Mercy crouched beside James.

“Beth, we’ll get her back, I promise. Mercy almost died protecting her, but Scorpion has her, and from what we know, he won’t harm her. My people are working to find her as we speak to find her, and I won’t stop until you’re both safe and reunited.”

Tears filled Beth’s wide eyes before they came to her. “You almost died?”

Mercy shrugged. “James is exaggerating.”

“No, I don’t think he is. I see the woman you are, and I know you would’ve done everything to protect my Abbie.” Her voice broke on her daughter’s name as Miles helped her to her feet.

“Let’s get you back to shore and somewhere safe, and we can make a plan.”

Beth shook her head as she began to move back. “No, I’m staying with Miles. You can’t protect me onshore. You don’t know what they’re like. They have people everywhere.”

“We know, and Miles can come with us if he wants to,” Mercy reassured the terrified woman.

Beth looked from her to James and back again before she nodded.

Mercy helped her back on to the yacht they’d used as James spoke with Miles. She couldn’t hear what was said, but it seemed amicable enough. Miles then talked to the other crew members and the guests before hopping on board the yacht and moving to sit beside Beth, his arm going around James’s sister. When they were settled, Ray turned the charter around and headed back to shore.

James went below deck, and she hesitated about whether she should give him some space but decided she needed to make sure he was okay for herself as much as him. She found him sitting on the bed in a cabin, his head in his hands, looking broken.

Mercy’s heart broke for the strong man who loved so hard and took the weight of that responsibility on his broad shoulders.

Mercy moved to stand between his feet, her hands raking through his hair as his arms came around her and he hugged her belly. “This isn’t your fault.”

He looked up, and she saw the anguish in his liquid eyes. “She trusted me to keep Abbie safe.”

“You did everything you could. Do you blame me for what happened?”

He shook his head, vehemently. “Never. You nearly died trying to keep Abbie safe.”

“And do you think I could’ve done anything differently?”

He dropped his hands and sighed in frustration. “No, of course not.”

“Then stop blaming yourself and get your ass out there and talk to Beth. We need all the information we can on the Henchmen.”

James’s lips twitched. “Always busting my chops, woman.”

Mercy cupped his face in her hands. “Yes, you needed a kick up the butt.”

“I love you, Merc.”