Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Where was she now? If she’d been abducted by the same assholes as Haisley, surely they’d brought her to the Velvet Cove…
His questions—and their implications—were like a broadside blow. His head reeled. This development suggested George Benedict hadn’t been the mastermind behind all these disappearances, but merely another piece of the puzzle.
“You don’t say. Anyone following up? If not, heads should roll,” he drawled, doing his best to make it sound like a business issue.
“FBI is getting involved,” Hunter assured. “They’ll probably take point soon. Have you encountered Mila on the island at all?”
“No.”
“She wasn’t up for sale during the auction. Where could she be?”
“Not sure. Maybe the next one?”
“Maybe. Any chance Haisley has seen her?”
“I haven’t heard that, but I’ll ask around and let you know.”
“Do that—ASAP. I’m itchy. This thing is bigger than anyone realized. I mean, that footage Kane sent after last night’s party… That shit is mind-blowing. And explosive as hell.”
“Yep.” Nash kept his tone businesslike. “I was a bit surprised myself. Probably shouldn’t have been, but…”
“We’re running facial recognition, but yeah. The implications…” Hunter blew out a breath. “Half those faces could destabilize governments if what Kane captured got out. Think one of them could be Black Velvet, trying to blend in?”
“That’s not the way I read this situation.” In Nash’s estimation, anyone who’d created a place like the Velvet Cove enjoyed their power too much to fly under the radar.
“You’re probably right. Everyone captured on that footage behaved more like a customer than a coconspirator.”
“Exactly. And I’ve also heard rumors suggesting otherwise. I’d look for something soon.”
“Keep me posted. I expect the FBI will start piecing things together soon. I’ll be interested to hear their theories.”
“Same.”
“Oh, I heard you connected with Karliah?” Hunter asked.
“I did. Good meeting.”
“We’re close to something here, Nash. I can feel it. Mila’s disappearance, the trafficking ring, and this island… It’s all connected. We just need that one thread we can follow to unravel it.”
“Agreed.” Nash’s frustration bled through despite his attempt at nonchalance. “Anything else?”
“You two okay?”
Nash pulled at the back of his neck, studying Haisley’s profile. Though last night’s party hadn’t gone exactly as planned, she was holding herself together. Still, he saw the cracks beneath her brave face. Pride and worry warred in his chest. She was so damn strong. He wanted to carry more of this burden for her, but Haisley had always been independent. She wasn’t the sort of woman to sit back and let him solve her problems for her. She certainly wasn’t going to let him solve this one alone.
“Mostly. Nothing’s perfect, right?”
“Keep your eyes open. And be careful. When this thing blows, it’s going to be huge.”
“I feel that. Thanks for the call.”
After disconnecting, Nash watched Haisley turn another page she hadn’t actually read. The stoic front she’d put on twisted his heart. She had trusted him enough to be vulnerable, to let him protect her through that drug-hazed nightmare. They’d been a team.
But secrets still stood between them. Why the hell did she keep refusing to talk about her mysterious pregnancy? Her reasons for leaving him? Granted, they couldn’t talk freely here, but she’d had a chance or two. Even now, after everything they’d been through, she seemed no closer to divulging the truth.
He wanted to go to her, ask her to confide in him, swear that she could trust him, and vow they’d survive this hell with their souls intact if they just stuck together. But how could he make that promise when he wasn’t sure himself?
If Mila was here somewhere on the island, possibly being held in some hidden section of the compound, what did that mean? How could they ensure she was freed, too? Nash didn’t want to leave behind another victim, especially not another one who, like Haisley, had probably been sucked into this whole mess by George Benedict.
But it begged the question, if Benedict had been the mastermind and he’d gotten both Haisley and Mila out of his way…why had he killed his mistress and offed himself?
The answer: likely because he’d been a cog in the giant wheel of this rotten ring. Maybe Benedict had been messy. Maybe he’d fucked up, and the real mastermind had seen no option but to put him down. And maybe…Nash was way off base.
Either way, when they blew this case wide open, he’d find all the answers. For now, he had to believe they were closing in. Somewhere on this island was the key to ending this fucking mess. They just had to find it before time ran out.
Or before life on this island shattered Haisley.
The following afternoon, Haisley approached the spa with trepidation, mirroring the dark storm clouds gathering outside. A distant rumble of thunder made her shiver as she approached the elegant facade, which somehow felt less threatening than during her first terrifying visit. Maybe because Nash had sent her here with a purpose. With all internet and outside communications mysteriously down across the island for the past twenty-four hours, they desperately needed to connect.