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8
COLTEN
Emma stirs against me. “Good morning,” she murmurs, her voice thick with sleep.
I’m almost sorry she’s awake. Lying here with her in my arms and her head against my shoulder is as close to heaven as I might ever get.
“Good morning.” It feels odd saying that when I barely slept at all, and what sleep I managed was thin and full of nightmares. Losing her. Listening to her scream as Marco takes what he wants. Now that I’ve had her, she’s more precious than ever.
It was easier to stay awake.
“I did a lot of thinking last night,” I say, for once not rock-hard when she brushes her tits against my ribs. My thoughts are too heavy and dark for that. “I know what we have to do.”
She lifts her head and blows hair away from her face to look at me. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking we go over his head.”
Her brows pinch together. “You mean, go to the Hales?”
“I’m not saying this because you’re naked and in bed with me: you’re a very smart girl.”
She giggles but rolls her eyes—until the weight of what I said settles over her. “You’re thinking about going to his boss?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m thinking of doing. I know where the compound is, and I’m an employee of the family, so I’m not a stranger. I won’t be armed. I don’t own a gun. There’s no reason for them not to let me in if I say I have something of life-or-death importance to discuss. I’ll let Ace know what one of his patrons is doing. Knowing the family as well as I do, I know they won’t want to be associated with anyone who might be causing trouble.”
“You’ve done a lot of thinking about this. No wonder you look tired.” She cups my cheek, frowning. “I hate to think of you walking into the lion’s den.”
“It won’t be that dramatic.”
“It will. It could be very dangerous.”
“It won’t be.”
She nods firmly. “I’m going with you, then.”
“No way.” I sit up abruptly, making her scramble off me. “I won’t let you do that.”
“Why not? You said it won’t be dangerous, so why can’t I go?”
Dammit. She has me cornered, using my logic against me. “I’d feel better if you were here.”
She gets up on her knees, sheets bunching around her. “I don’t want to be alone. And I want to be sure nothing bad happens to you.”
“No way,” I insist. “It’s a bad idea.”
“Like your idea is so great. I doubt your boss will be okay with any of this. Maybe if I come with you, it’ll help.”
“This is Ace Hale we’re talking about. It doesn’t matter who is there or who you are. All he cares about is his business. I mean, look at the auction and what happened there.”
“It can’t hurt.” She folds her arms, and her eyes harden. “I’m going, Colten. You’re doing this for me, so the least I can do is stand next to you while you’re doing it.”
It’s clear I’m not going to convince her otherwise. “Fine. Let’s get moving.”
* * *
“Shit.You said compound, but that doesn’t even begin to describe this.” Emma’s mouth hangs open as we travel the length of a ten-foot-high stone wall surrounding the Hale compound. “How long does this wall stretch?”
“I’ve never been beyond it, but there are hundreds of acres of land. I’ve seen overhead satellite images. It’s impressive and overdone.” Will the man who built it be willing to listen to reason? I have to hope. It’s the only way to get Emma out of this.
