Deep laughter warmed the living room with his vibrancy. “No. I’m not going to kill him. I’m just issuing a warning about not going near you. He needs to know that you’re under my protection. We’ll deal with what he’s done with the money as soon as you and Nico find it.”
I launched myself into his embrace. It felt good to have someone looking out of me for a change. As his strong arms held me close, my heart pounded against my chest, and I realized just how much Trey was coming to mean to me. He was no longer a crush but someone I could see myself falling for, and that thought terrified me.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
TREY
Iroared through the streets in my Maserati, intent on surprising Allen at the hospital. I’d left Hailey at the house, parked in front of her new laptop and chatting with Nico as they worked their computer magic. She had been confident that she would have a solid lead on the money by the time I got back. I didn’t doubt her for a second.
But that wasn’t the only thing that needed to be accomplished. My fingers tightened on the wheel as I pulled into the hospital’s parking garage, sliding into one of the spots reserved for doctors.
My head of security, Sam, had staked out Justin’s house. He’d returned with a picture taken through a kitchen window of Justin rinsing dishes at the sink. Once Hailey saw that, I felt confident that she would stay home while I went in search of Allen.
The ransom deadline had come and gone without so much as a cent from him. That didn’t concern me. Hailey and Nico would figure out where the money was, but I had to ensure he didn’t mess with Hailey. Allen was petty and vindictive. I didn’t trust that he wouldn’t make trouble for her.
Dressed in pants, a white shirt and tie, and a black wool overcoat that hid my shoulder holster and gun, I breezed through the ER. The pungent odor of disinfectant heavy in the air, the bustle of nurses as they went about their duties, and the chime when a patient pressed the call button provoked an urge to work. But it wasn’t strong enough to deter me from my preordained course.
Sandy, the head nurse, came out of her office as I took the hallway that led to the elevators. She read my expression and offered a subdued hello as we passed each other. The metal door swooshed open, and I rode to Allen’s floor then went straight to his office.
The door was shut. I didn’t bother knocking. I slammed it against the back wall, and it closed with a loud thwack behind me.
Allen jumped to his feet, dropping the papers he’d been looking over. Alarm pulled his aristocratic features taut. “What are you doing here? You’re not scheduled to work.”
He’d been checking up on me. I stalked him around the desk, my emotions barely in check. My fingers curled tight on his neatly pressed light-pink button-down shirt, yanking him close so that our faces were inches apart. “Hailey is under my protection. You’re not to reach out to her or even say her name without first consulting me. That applies to all areas of her life, professional and personal. Is that clear?”
Allen’s eyes widened, fear flashing in the muted blue depths. “Crystal.” He snapped his mouth shut, his throat working. I could tell he had more to say, but wisely—for once—he held his tongue.
“Don’t make me have to come after you. You won’t like what will happen.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he jerked a nod.
I released my hold on his shirt, smoothed out the wrinkles, then patted his cheek with a resounding smack that was almost a slap rather than a friendly tap. He dropped to his chair as I backed up, not a word leaving his lips. I held his gaze for a few seconds, taking his measure. I hoped for his sake that I’d gotten through to him.
Done with that little chore, I left his office, making my way swiftly through the halls of the hospital and back to my car before anyone could approach me. The time it took to get my point across had been short, but I would still have to keep an eye on him where Hailey was concerned.
The drive home was uneventful, but as soon as I walked into the living room, Hailey’s expression said that she’d discovered something.
Hailey
“We found the shell corporation,” I blurted to Trey before he was barely off the elevator. I got to my feet, grabbed his hand, and pulled him to where I’d been sitting. “See?” I pointed at the screen. “This is the account where Nico and I traced the check.”
“That’s less than you demanded Allen hand over.”
“Right.” I pushed a mass of dark curls from my face. “Look here. There were two withdrawals on the account, all for large amounts and all in cash.” It made sense because I’d asked for cash in the ransom. “That’s where the trail ends. Since the bank is in the Caribbean, Allen could have flown there and back.”
“I have something to show you.” He took my hand, drew me into the study with him, then logged on to his laptop, opened his email, and clicked on one from the children’s foundation, a confirmation of a large donation.
I sucked in a breath, tears misting my eyes at his generosity. I turned and flung my arms around his neck. “I can’t believe you did that.” It was unreal.
“I told you I would.” Trey brushed a strand of hair from my cheek and tucked it behind my ear. “It was important to you, and if I hadn’t intervened, you would have gotten the money from Allen.”
Raised on my toes, I lifted my face to his, my gaze focused on his lips. He didn’t disappoint, bending and slanting his mouth over mine. The shell company, the money… everything fled my mind at the brush of his lips. Hands at my hips, he tugged me flush against his hard body. Dizzy with want, I moaned, lost in how he made me feel so very wanted. I clung to his broad shoulders, my fingers exploring as his muscles shifted beneath my touch.
My entire body buzzed. The tempo of the kiss changed. I didn’t want it to end. He slowed the insatiable way he devoured my mouth until he broke the kiss. My fingers went to my swollen lower lip where I could still feel his touch, his desire. It hit me then. I would have slept with him. I wanted to.
So why are we stopping?
Then the sound of his phone registered.