She tilted her head and adopted a neutral expression, trying to recall the words she’d rehearsed in her head for days. “I have a regular client, Treavor Lambert. He’s a big deal in the islands, with his hands in several businesses. When he needs to fly within theEC—the Eastern Caribbean—he calls me. For several reasons, I can’t afford to lose him as a customer.”
Kurt had leaned forward and now studied her intently. His thick eyebrows came together, but he said nothing.
She raised her chin. Not that he had any right, but if Kurt was anything like he used to be—Mr. Overprotective—he was going to flip his lid. Which was exactly why she hadn’t led withher work for The Underground.
Though, to be fair, Kurt had brought her in for several missions that put her under fire in the last few years, so maybe he’d changed.
“For the last six months,” she said, “I’ve been running rescue flights for victims of human trafficking, mostly on St. Isidore.” The island country’s recovering economy had created demand for cheap labor and sex workers, and traffickershad stepped in to fill both needs. “There are people on the ground who go into brothels and warehouses and other businesses to help victims escape to a designated pickup point, and I fly in to get them.”
“Sounds dangerous.” Instead of judgment or misplaced protectiveness, his rich voice held only friendly concern laced with approval. “But I’m sure the people you help are grateful.”
She staredat him for a beat. She’d been poised to defend her choices, to point out the hypocrisy of a guy who used to drop into hot zones to save wounded soldiers calling what she did dangerous. His response threw her off balance, as if she’d been pushing against a door that had suddenly opened without warning. “So far, I haven’t had any trouble.”
“How’d you get involved?”
“Last year, the graphic designcompany my sister Rose—technically my half-sister—worked for went out of business, and she decided to visit me in Barbados to see her dad’s homeland. He’s the one who got me interested in living there in the first place,” she added as an aside. “Anyway, while there, she fell in love with a woman who runs STOP, an organization that raises awareness for, and helps the victims of, human traffickingand indentured servitude in the Caribbean.”
“And sponsors these rescue flights?”
“Right. STOP needed a pilot who was up for a little risk. I was available and willing.”
The muscle in his jaw gave a tic. “What does that have to do with your client? And me?”
Her stomach knotted. “Four months ago, Rose decided to go undercover. Most of the trafficking victims are terrified of testifying againsttheir abusers, and she thought she could go in, see how the system works, gather evidence and punch out in a week, maybe two. She answered several ads for housekeepers on St. Isidore, and finally got a response that seemed likely to be a scam, so she flew to St. Isidore for the job. She hasn’t communicated with anyone since.”
“Jesus. Four months?” Kurt rubbed his chin and stared out the windowfor a minute. “What about the cops?”
“I reported her missing, but corruption in St. Isidore’s police force is still common. They could be getting paid to turn a blind eye. The government might even consider indentured servants a necessary measure to get the country back on its feet. People are trafficked for everything from sex work to manual labor and construction. I wouldn’t be surprised ifsome of the politicians are involved or getting kickbacks to stay quiet.”
“So you need someone to find her. My guys are good at that, and you know several of them have experience on St. Iz.”
Caitlyn couldn’t hold back an impatient head shake, but it wasn’t his fault he didn’t understand. “No. I know where she is. Three days ago, I found her—completely by accident—at Lambert’s house, but securitywas too tight for me to get her out safely.”
“Lambert, your client?”
She scowled. “Yeah.” Finding out Treavor Lambert was a snake had cut deep. She’d liked the guy, in spite of the son he’d raised.
“Did you have any idea he was involved in this stuff?”
“None.” And how had she missed it? Then again, it wasn’t like Lambert had asked her to transport his victims. How would she have known?
“Well,since you know where Rose is, that makes our job easier. It’s just a rescue operation.”
“I’m not asking you to send any of your guys.” She forced her hands onto her lap and rushed her explanation. “Lambert’s plantation is heavily guarded. If you storm the place, too many people could get hurt. Not to mention it could cause an international incident. But now I literally have an engraved invitationinto Lambert’s house. Which is where you come in,” she said. “I’ve been invited to an engagement party for his daughter.” Caitlyn took a deep breath.Just spit it out.“It would be incredibly helpful if you could come to the party as my fiancé.” She clamped her lips shut and waited.
“Your fiancé?” He gave her a what-the-hell look, and spots of color appeared on his cheeks. “Don’t you have oneof those already?”
Oh, no. He thought— God, could this be any more awkward? Why on earth hadn’t she made up a name instead of using his?
Because Glenn would check.
“The ring is fake. To keep guys away.”
Kurt’s expression shuttered and he gave a slight shake of his head. “So why can’t you just tell the police you found Rose and have them get a warrant?”
“Shaylee—Rose’s girlfriend—tried. Shecontacted a cop in St. Isidore who she thinks is clean, but the woman said the people who could approve such an action are likely on Lambert’s payroll. All we’d be doing is alerting him that I know Rose and want to rescue her. I need his trust.”
With a sigh, Kurt wiggled the mouse on his desktop and then typed on his keyboard. “What are the dates? I’ll check the calendar and see who’s availableto go with you.”
