Cai stops her with a hand on her knee. He’s the quietest of all the brothers, with heartache in his eyes. “Be careful.”
My heart rate doubles at his warning. Cai never talks, so I wonder why he’s chosen to do so now. He’s not saying anything that the others haven’t told us, but those two words seem ominous coming from him.
Bella nods, clearing her throat. “I will.”
He holds her gaze for a second longer before he removes his hand from her knee.
Bella and I exit the van, and we watch as they pull away.
She turns towards me once they’re gone. “I’m afraid.”
My mouth tightens as I reach for her. “Me, too, baby,” I whisper against her temple. “Me, too.”
She squeezes my waist, holding me tight as if she never wants to let me go. “I had nothing to lose before I met you.”
She tilts my head back, meeting my gaze. The emotions she can’t put into words are right there in her beautiful eyes. I lower my head and take her mouth in a hard kiss, pouring all my emotions into it. I know what she’s saying without her having to utter a word. Our biggest fear since we started this relationship is that one of us wouldn’t make it to the end.
“Let’s go home,” I whisper against my lips. “I need to be inside you.”
“Hurry,” she urges huskily.
We barely make it through the door before I’m inside her, making us both feel whole. We make love hard and fast. Desperate.
We don’t sleep that night. We both feel it. A storm is coming; we just don’t know when it will hit.
CHAPTER 19
BELLA
A commotion pulls my attention from my screen and the legitimate account I’m working on to the door of Alan’s office. So far, he hasn’t found the listening bugs that Cahir planted. But he also hasn’t said anything of interest.
Today, he has a visitor, which is unusual. No one has visited him since I’ve been here. But what makes my blood run cold is that I recognise him from the photos Ramzi found.
Lloyd Eade.
Not as significant a presence as Miles Burres when it comes to trafficking, but significant enough to unsettle me.
He’s in his mid-thirties, well built, with blond hair and an easy smile that doesn’t reach his cold eyes.
He’s a handsome guy, which I’m sure he’s used to his advantage in his line of ‘business.’ How many naïve young girls has he lured to their doom with smooth promises and expensive ‘gifts’, only to forcibly abduct them to meet his quota?
I watch covertly as he storms into Alan’s office and slams the door. Muffled shouting quickly follows from within. My colleagues who work solely on legitimate accounts continue to watch and listen. But those who don’t studiously ignore the raised voices. Their behaviour is telling, reconfirming our knowledge of the threat the company holds over them and their families’ heads.
I stand and pick up my coffee mug, pausing as I pass Alan’s office. I can only hear muffled voices now, so I continue to the breakroom on the pretence of making a coffee. I want to know if Ramzi is listening in.
Taking my phone from my pocket, I send a quick text to everyone. I’m taking a risk, but I make sure to delete any messages from my history.
Me:Lloyd Eade is with Alan in his office. Hope you can catch what he’s saying.
Ramzi:Away from desk. They’re on surveillance. Will listen when back at base.
Cahir:We hit two of Eade’s warehouses last night. Be careful.
Me:I will.
After deleting the messages, I make my coffee and return to my desk. No sooner does my arse hit the chair than Alan is at his office door.
“Bee!”
