CHAPTERSIX
Everything happened at speed.The ambassador’s command post was stormed.The younger women were ushered outside, where his men quickly loaded them into a waiting van.The women were shaking like sheep to the slaughter.They couldn’t know whether this latest frightening development involving men in black combat gear heralded an improvement on their situation or not.They had every reason to be petrified.
Locking his arm around Karolina’s waist, he yanked her out of the way as the women went past.“I don’t know what the hell you’re doing here!”
“But you’re glad I came?”she said, fixing him with a fierce stare.
He was too fired up to answer as he half carried her toward one of the vehicles taking the women to safety.“Go with them!”he snapped.
“And where are you—?”
Karolina’s question was lost in the roar of the vehicle’s engine as he slammed the door shut.He was the only member of the team left behind.His task was to clear the building and retrieve the hard drives and memory sticks that had recorded the auction.That was the first step in bringing the participants to justice.There was one more thing he had to do, and that was to confront the ambassador.
Plans sometimes had to change, he reflected grimly at the sound of a helicopter taking off from the roof.
She was still shaking at the realization of what had happened and buzzing with the success of the rescue when the butler let her in through the door.The terrible scenes she’d witnessed were violently at odds with the porticoed entrance and uniformed butler waiting to greet her at Conor’s London home.The necessarily hectic nature of the rescue and the obvious terror of the women had affected her more than she’d realized.She’d witnessed many terrible things at the embassy, but the stench of evil and the sour tang of fear never grew old.If it took the rest of her life, she would do everything in her power to help captives wherever they might be.
She’d stayed at the refuge until she was sure the women had been medically examined and safely housed, which now left her with nothing to do but fret about Conor.
“No, that’s okay, I’m fine, thank you,” she told his butler with a smile.There was no point in alarming Sanderson.She glanced over her shoulder as if she expected Conor to be hot on her heels.“I’m sure Conor will be here soon.”
“Shall I ask Anna to send up a tray?”
“Oh, no, it’s so late.Please don’t trouble Anna.”
“A cup of tea, at least,” the butler insisted.
He looked so concerned, she relented.“Okay, and thank you,” she called back as she started up the stairs.
To his credit, Sanderson’s expression hadn’t faltered at the sight of his boss’s bride on her wedding night, dressed all in black with her hair scraped back and not a scrap of makeup on her face, with no husband in sight.
She hid the fact as best she could, but her legs felt like lead as she toiled up the stairs.An incredulous and slightly hysterical laugh escaped her throat at the thought that this was still her wedding night…just.What must Conor think of her now, she wondered as the clock chimed midnight.He’d only seen her in finery before, a gleaming product at the front of her father’s store.Would he be put off by her true self?
Too tired to dwell on another problem, she entered her suite of rooms and headed straight for the bathroom to wash off the filth of the night.She stood beneath the shower until her skin was wrinkled, but nothing could wash away the horror she’d witnessed.
And where was Conor?Why wasn’t he back yet?Had something happened to him?Was he safe?
She’d gotten herself into a state by the time she crawled into bed.Tossing and turning for what seemed like forever, she finally slept the sleep of pure exhaustion.
His wife had shot up in Conor’s estimation.Spoiled little rich kid she was not.Karolina was reckless with personal safety, but effective in the field.She focused on those who couldn’t help themselves, which was the purpose of his team.What she’d done was both selfless and courageous.
Bringing the Lambo to a skidding halt inside the courtyard of his house, he leapt out with only one thought in mind, and that was Karolina.
Anna stopped him on the stairs.Taking the tray from her hands, he headed on up.When he backed into Karolina’s bedroom, he found her stretched out on the bed fast asleep.Spent and exhausted with the scent of soap on her skin, she was beautiful and oh, so vulnerable.The temptation to wake her was overwhelming, but she needed rest.Taking the tray with him, he left the room quietly.Any questions he had could wait until morning.
She woke slowly and cautiously to find the other side of the bed pristine.No visits from her husband.Was Conor even back?Fear for him shot her out of bed.Her call to Anna rang out.Grabbing a robe, she ran outside the room to find the housekeeper on her way upstairs.“Anna, Anna, have you seen him?”
“He’s back.He didn’t want to disturb you and said to let you sleep.”
When relief swept over her, Karolina thought her legs would give way.Clinging to the banister, she thought, dress fast, then go find him.
She had her back turned to the door when someone walked into the bedroom.“Anna, is that you?”Her heart thundered a tattoo.Before he spoke, she knew who it was.
“Good morning, wife.”
Conor!“You’re home!Safe!”And completely naked.
“Connecting doors,” he reminded her with an unapologetic smile.
