AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My head nods in agreement. “You don’t have to worry about that. I feel horrible about the entire situation and apologized to both of them. At the time, it seemed like the only way to get back to the hospital and to help the patients. I’m a little too headstrong sometimes, especially about work. People’s lives are in our hands, and it’s a big responsibility, but that’s no excuse. I should have handled it entirely different. Lexie was never intended to go with me, but she was hell bent on me not going alone.”
He watches me with the intensity that I’ve come to expect from Nick. “I just need to make sure we’re all on the same page. One of our operatives called while you were finishing up at the hospital and gave me an update. They found communication trails between Darwin and a known associate of a huge trafficking network. The team will dig into the leads, but it’s going to take time to get a lock on the names and whereabouts of these people.”
I pause halfway into soaking a dumpling into the accompanying sweet red sauce, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. Evil, the man who came after Lexie was just evil. “That’s why all the changes?” I place the lids on the leftovers, having instantly lost my appetite. Darwin was scary enough, but if he was involved with an entire network of people just like him, that’s even scarier for the world and for us.
“We haven’t put together all the pieces, but we’re not going to take any chances with your security or Lexie’s. These men are dangerous criminals, the worst of the worst. Darwin was one of the best at hiding his identity from authorities, and the men that he associated with are more of the same.”
My mind swirls with images of Darwin and his associate and all the blood at the end. The nurse in me should have been rallying to help whoever is injured, but that’s not how I felt at all. “Is it bad to wish that you guys would have killed all of them last month?”
“It doesn’t make you a bad person, just one who wants to have her life back, free from worrying about looking over her shoulder every day. It’s an understandable reaction. But this time, we just need to be really clear about the rules and make sure you don’t try to evade the people that are trying to help you. If you can do that, we’ll catch these guys, and you and Lexie will get your lives back in no time.”
“I’m fully on board this time. I just don’t think that we need to switch up the security. Liam and Trent have been working it out so one of them sleeps and one of them is on duty, and there’s always backup.”
“And now we’re going to increase the security. We’re always going to have someone with you, in addition to both Liam and Trent on one shift and backup on the perimeter. It wasn’t really a question, Allie. It’s for your protection.”
My jaw tightens, but I hold my tongue because deep down there’s something indescribably delicious about his dominant and protective nature whether I want to admit it or not, and right now, I most certainly do not. But it’s obvious Nick’s going to do what he thinks is best regardless of who I do or don’t want on my security detail and our safety is much more important than any of the feelings that run rampant whenever the man is near. “Because you fully believe we’re at risk?”
His usually bright blue eyes deepen with emotion and sincerity. “The men in this organization don’t leave loose ends, Allie. You and Lexie are loose ends.”
Chapter Six
Nick
Allie’s eyeswiden as she takes in all that I’ve told her. I give her time to digest what I’ve shared.
When I return, she’s cross-legged on the couch with a pillow tucked over her lap. “That means this isn’t over. Men who worked with Darwin will still come for Lexie and me?”
“If the organization knows Darwin was trying to squelch Lexie’s ability to identify him, and that he wasn’t successful, and they can’t be certain if you and Lexie can lead the authorities back to their organization, that may be the case. We can’t be certain, which is why you and Lexie aren’t going to be out of our sight for a moment. You’re safe with us, Allie, but only if you don’t try something like you did before.”
She doesn’t argue, just hugs the pillow tighter to her body, watching me through wary and overly tired eyes.
“I wouldn’t have told you until later today, but you need to know how serious this is. I don’t think you would have drugged Liam and Trent if you had fully understood the background. And this time, I’m going to need you to keep me apprised if you’re going somewhere long before you go, unless it’s an emergency at the hospital. We have that place locked down tight with perimeter patrol, but we still need to make sure that we’re one step ahead of these people in the event they come back.”
Allie nods, serious and contemplating but she looks exhausted and clearly in need of sleep. “Does Lexie know?”
“Marenah was going to round over and give Sheldon an update after she spoke to me, so I’m sure he’s shared the information with Lexie by now.” I glance at my watch. “You need to go to bed.”
“Or I’ll get spanked?” she says, her eyes getting hazy with weariness, but something else too.
I grasp her hand as she tosses the pillow to the side and help her stand. “Go get some sleep. You’re exhausted.”
“Liam and Trent usually took turns on inside patrol. Whoever stayed inside that night would sleep in the spare bedroom. It’s still technically Lexie’s.”
“I’ll take the couch tonight.”
She contemplates that for a moment. “It’s because you’ll be closer to the door, right? That’s where they slept at the Prestian Towers too. That means things aren’t looking so good.”
“I’m just being cautious and not taking any chances with your security with what we’ve learned. I wouldn’t have told you before you go to sleep, but it’s important to make sure you don’t try to ditch your detail. Now go to bed before I carry you there.”
“No need. I’m seriously exhausted,” Allie counters, throwing her hand up in mock surrender. “Don’t expect to see the whites of my eyes until at least sundown. And thanks for lunch. It was really delicious and just what I needed.”
“Get some rest, Allie.” She’s most likely so exhausted that shutting down will be difficult. Part of that is my fault for telling her things that cause her concern right before she goes to sleep, but she needs to be fully aware of the dangers for her safety.
She pads out of the room and down the hall to the bedroom in one bright orange sock and another green one. I’m sure there’s a story there, but for the life of me, I can’t imagine what it might be.
Once the door closes, I settle onto the couch, use the pillow Allie had for a makeshift laptop desk, and get to work. The sooner we learn more about who’s involved in this organization, and how it’s operationalized, the sooner we can get to the bottom of this mess. Because the fact that Darwin is in any way, shape, or form connected to Alfreita Jr.’s network causes my blood to boil. The more we learn about that family’s grasp in the underworld, the more it concerns me. I hit Scottie’s number, and he picks up on the first ring. “Good to hear your voice, lad,” he greets, his thick Scottish brogue reverberating through the phone.
This colorful guy may have taken some getting used to, but I couldn’t imagine life without him on the team now. “Same here, Scottie. Hey, Marenah said she talked with you earlier about Darwin and his connections to a man inside Alfreita’s network. The more I think about it, the more uneasy I get. Any location on any of these guys, yet?”
