Finally, he reached Joaquin’s. After a two-hour grilling, it was late. But he was free of all his other responsibilities, and he didn’t have to give a fuck about anything but Tessa.

  At nine p.m. he made it to her place and knocked. It took a few minutes, but eventually she turned on the porch light and answered the door. He was shocked the interior was dark except for the light above the stove. Her hair was askew and she was huddled in an oversized bathrobe, with a red nose and swollen eyes. She looked as if she’d been bawling her eyes out for hours. He wanted to hold and reassure her, but she crossed her arms over her chest—a silent keep out.

  Tessa was independent, and Zy knew she was used to working out her own shit, but he was done letting her suffer alone.

  He took her tense hands in his. “Baby, talk to me. I know something’s wrong and—”

  “It’s a migraine.” She swiped the tears from her cheeks and backed away with a sniffle. “I just need a day or two to myself. But thanks for coming.”

  Tessa tried to shut the door in his face. He wasn’t satisfied with her answer and pushed it open again.

  “No. I’m going to take care of you and Hallie.” When she opened her mouth to object, Zy shook his head. “I want to. Have you taken anything for your headache?”

  “I’ve done all I can,” she whimpered. “It’s not enough.”

  Zy frowned at her answer. “Have you eaten? I’ll make you another one of my infamous omelets.”

  “I don’t want food. My stomach is too unsettled.”

  Her answer sounded more like a cry. Zy scowled. “I know your head hurts, but starving yourself isn’t going to help. You should try something. When was the last time you ate?”

  “I had toast for breakfast.”

  And nothing since? No wonder she felt like hell. “That’s it. I’m coming in and taking over—”

  “No. You can’t,” she screeched as she pushed at him desperately. “You can’t turn on the lights or tell me how to feel or reassure me that everything’s okay. You’re used to playing the hero, running in to save everyone when they need you. This is something you can’t fix. Just go.”

  Everything inside Zy told him not to walk out that door. She might not need a hero tonight, but she needed something. Care? Reassurance? Whatever it was, he doubted it had anything to do with a headache. After all, if the pain in her head was excruciating, how was she able to scream without so much as wincing?

  “I’m not walking out when you need me. Did someone upset you? Kathleen? Cash? One-Mile?”

  “I’m not upset.”

  As lies went, that was a whopper. “Baby, you’ve obviously had a rough day. Talk to me. Let me help you.”

  “You can’t. Please…”

  “If you don’t want me to feed you or even talk to you, I won’t. But you look exhausted.” He tried to wrap her in his arms and cradle her against his chest. “At least let me tuck you in, then I’ll climb in bed beside you. Nothing else. I won’t do anything more than hold you and—”

  Tessa burst into tears. “Zy, I can’t. Just…go. Please.”

  She wasn’t merely asking to be alone; she was begging him to leave. That was a kick to his goddamn heart. The last thing he wanted to do was walk out on Tessa when she desperately needed a shoulder, but he couldn’t force her to accept his help. And she didn’t fucking want it anyway.

  Frustrated as hell, he held up his hands and stepped back. “Okay. If you need anything, it doesn’t matter what time it is. Call me.”

  “Thanks.” She wrapped one arm around her middle. With her free hand, she pushed him toward the door. “But I won’t.”

  God, she was cutting him off at the balls and it was killing him. Why?

  This wasn’t about him. At least he didn’t think so. But what the fuck was going on?

  “One more thing before I go?”

  “What?” Her voice sounded impatient, like she wanted him to leave…but deep down she needed him to stay.

  Zy ached to touch her, but she would only push him away. He didn’t understand. Last night, everything had been fine. Hell, great. Tonight, she couldn’t wait to be rid of him.

  “Are we okay? Did I do something to upset you? If I did, we need to talk about it.”

  “I can’t do this now. I need you to go.” Tessa gathered the robe even tighter around her. “And I know you have a key to my door. Please don’t use it.”

  As answers went, it wasn’t one. But everything she said scared the hell out of him.

  Fuck. She was too tired and overwrought for him to reason with. He hated to leave things between them like this, but she hadn’t given him much choice.

  “All right. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  She nodded tightly. “At the office. Good night.”

  Then Tessa shut the door in his face, and the dead bolt clicked into place. Zy stared at the closed portal. What. The. Fuck. Had. Just. Happened?

  Scowling, he turned and left. It was only a temporary retreat. Tomorrow, he would get to the bottom of Tessa’s issue. She was going to tell him what the hell was wrong…no matter what he had to do.

  Zy entered his apartment and slammed the door behind him. Son of a bitch. Every mile he’d put between him and Tessa just felt wrong. He hoped she was in a better mood tomorrow, but he had a bad feeling.

  If he slept tonight, it wouldn’t be for hours. He was too pissed off and keyed up. Might as well get some shit done.

  Yanking his phone from his pocket, he sent Kane a quick text, who answered instantly. No, he hadn’t gone to sleep yet, but Valeria and the baby had.

  Perfect. Zy set his helmet down, grabbed a protein bar and a beer, and walked two buildings over to Cutter’s old place. Kane opened the door almost before he knocked.

  “What’s up?” He stepped back and let Zy enter. “Hear anything from the bosses?”

  “No.” That’s another thing that worried him, too. The Edgingtons were the best at what they did. He didn’t know Jack Cole or Deke Trenton well, but he knew their reputations. Kimber wouldn’t still be missing unless these kidnappers were fucking professionals. They probably knew that by now—and were devising Plan C.

  “Damn it.”

  “Hell of a first week on the job for you, huh? A kidnapping and a dangerous transport of a highly valuable client and her baby. And I’m not exactly boss material, so I can’t give you much guidance, but I do have a little advice.”

  Kane shrugged and shut the door behind him. “Sure. Valeria and the baby crashed out about thirty minutes ago, so it’s just us. Shoot.”

  Zy sat on the love seat across from the oversized chair Kane plopped into and took a swig of his beer. “You got the client and her son here quickly and in one piece. That was priority number one, so good job. But that wasn’t your only responsibility. This may not have occurred to you, but Valeria shouldn’t know anything about the situation with Kimber, especially if she finds out that the ransom demand was her location. You understand why she might worry whether we’d sacrifice her to the very people she’s running from to have Kimber back?”

  “Yeah,” he said as if that was obvious.

  “I’m glad you get it. Just be careful. You can’t say stuff like that to her—or even around her—anymore.”

  Kane scowled. “I didn’t. Look, I might not have all the fancy experience you and the rest of the team have, but I know better than to run my mouth to someone dependent on our protection. Valeria only needs to know what will keep her safe. And having her doubt us will only make our job harder.”

  “Exactly.” Zy sat back, chewing on his protein bar and washing it down with brew. Together, the flavors were disgusting. “You’re sure you didn’t say anything to her? That she didn’t somehow overhear you?”

  “Positive.”

  “Then I have no idea how she knows, but she does.”

  “I don’t know, either. But it wasn’t me. Any chance Laila found out from Trees? Because if she knows, Valeria knows. Those two are constantly talking and texting. They’re tight.”

  Possible…but unlikely. Trees knew the drill, but he’d circle back with his buddy and find out if his dick being in a knot had somehow affected the blood flow to his brain.

  One thing Zy did know? Valeria was obviously concerned about her sister if she wanted Laila secreted elsewhere.

  Zy nodded and stood. “Thanks for the info.”

  Kane also rose. “Going already?”

  “Yeah. It’s almost ten o’clock, this is dinner”—he held up the remnants of his protein bar and the other half of his beer—“and I’m fucking tired.”

  “If I can do anything to help…”

  Zy shook his head. “Just stay with Valeria and the baby until someone says otherwise. If his condition gets worse and he needs a doctor, let me know. No other trouble?”

  “No. She’s definitely aware that people are after her and her son and she’ll do just about anything not to attract attention. On the road, she had some interesting ways to disguise the fact she’s young and pretty, which makes me think she’s an old pro at people wanting to do her harm.”

  That didn’t surprise Zy. He didn’t know the whole story, but he figured that no woman—especially a pregnant one—walked away from her drug lord husband without understanding the consequences and risks. “I’ll check in tomorrow.”

  Kane nodded. “When will Laila roll into town?”

  Zy was about to call Trees and find out.

  “It’s best if you don’t know.” He nodded toward Valeria’s closed bedroom door. “Just in case. Night.”

  Before Kane could object, he was gone.

  On the walk back, he downed the rest of his dinner, tossed the wrapper in the outside dumpster, then ducked into his place. It was getting late, and he’d love to veg out with some sports news before he drifted off, but the day wasn’t done with him yet.

  After a quick shower, he tossed on some boxer briefs, then slid into bed, propped against a couple of pillows. With a sigh, he reached for his phone.

  “What’s up?” Trees answered almost immediately.

  “Long fucking day. How about you?”

  “Not too bad. But long fucking night.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m driving this recreational tank from campground to campground, trying to take our sweet time returning to Lafayette.”

  “Yeah. Is the plan not working?”

  “Oh, it is. We haven’t been followed. I’m sure of that.”

  “So what’s wrong?”

  “Everything Laila has to wear is meant for Florida weather and seems two sizes too small.” Trees groaned. “When I look at her, it’s impossible not to see tits and ass and that wide fucking mouth. I stare at it all the time—I can’t seem to stop—and my cock is like a divining rod that points only to her.”

  He tried not to laugh, but it was funny. Usually, Trees could resist any woman. Hell, during basic he’d even had one undress for him, spread her legs, and invite him to fuck her at a party. At the time, Zy thought his buddy had been crazy to decline. Now he understood Trees wanted something real, and he respected the hell out of the guy for standing his ground.

  So if his desire for Laila was troublesome, there could only be one reason.

  “You like her.”

  “Fuck yes, I do. She’s…sweet. She’s thoughtful. She’s strong. She’s the kind of woman I want to hold and protect while I’m aching to violate and defile her every way known to man.”

  Zy got it. Despite Tessa’s wide independent streak, he often felt the same about her.

  Trees sighed. “And after one look, she was terrified of me.”

  A six-foot-eight man was understandably intimidating to a woman who’d been bullied and used. “Can she hear you?”

  “No. She’s in the back taking a goddamn shower. She’ll only do that when I’m driving.”

  She refused to be vulnerable while Trees could get to her, and the poor bastard was envisioning her naked. “So what are you going to do?”

  “What the hell can I do? I’ve got to keep driving her around in this hell on wheels for a few more days or until you tell me Valeria is safe enough in her new location and Laila can move in, no problem.”

  “You can head back to Lafayette now.”

  Trees hesitated. “You’re not kidding, are you?”

  “Valeria is convinced that Laila will be in less danger if they don’t share the same roof. And I can’t really argue. Two women and a baby boy are a lot less common, so they’re a lot more noticeable.”

  “You won’t get any arguments from me on that.”

  “Good. We just have to find Laila somewhere safe. Somewhere no one can get to her. Somewhere she’ll be comfortable and have protection. Hey, I’ve got an idea.” But Trees wasn’t going to be happy.

  “Don’t say it…” His pal grumbled.

  They’d been friends so long the guy could damn near read his mind.

  “I have to.”

  “Fuck.”

  “It’s temporary. She doesn’t have to move in with you. Just…keep her safe at your place until the bosses find Kimber and return to the office. Then they can figure out a permanent place for Laila. And hell, maybe that’s not even in Lafayette, so you’d never have to see her again.”

  But if Trees was already this wrapped up in her, Zy figured it wouldn’t be too long before the big guy wouldn’t want to let her out of his sight. And heaven help her if Trees decided she was the post-apocalyptic woman of his dreams and future mother of his post-modern disaster children. She probably wouldn’t be getting out of bed or seeing daylight for months. And when she got pregnant, she would be his for life.

  “I didn’t say I didn’t want to see her. I said I didn’t want to live on top of her.”

  That’s exactly where Trees wanted to be. “I’m calling bullshit.”

  “Back off. I’m trying to be a gentleman, but there’s no fucking privacy here. Even the shower is so small it’s impossible to jack off.”

  Despite all the shit today, Zy had to laugh. “That right? So you’re having a…hard time?”

  “Shut the fuck up. Do I need to remind you that you had a goddamn hard time with Tessa before the bosses finally took pity on you?”

  And just like that, he sobered. “No. Not that it matters right now. She’s barely speaking to me.”

  “What the fuck did you do, not lay her right?”

  That wasn’t the problem. “The job called me out last night before I could even touch her. She seemed okay, though. Tired but not mad. This morning, she came into the office looking like she’d been sobbing. But nothing I’ve said or asked is persuading her to open up. She claims she has a migraine…”

  “Those suck.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t believe her.”

  “Why would she lie?”

  “I don’t know.” It was a question Zy hadn’t been asking himself because he’d been too frustrated about the way the night had gone down. But maybe he should have.

  “Hallie’s not sick?”

  “Tessa would have said so. Whatever upset her, when I stopped by her place, she refused to let me stay. But my gut tells me she didn’t really want me to go. So nothing makes sense.”

  Trees sighed. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but…is there any chance she’s guilty?”

  “Of what?”

  “C’mon, man. The bosses are convinced that either I’m their mole…or she is.”

  “They’re wrong.”

  “Maybe. But you know I’m clean because you searched my shit.”

  “One room.”

  “Then go fucking search the whole place before I get home. You won’t find anything, and you know it.”

  “Yeah. What’s your point?”

  “You haven’t searched Tessa at all. Hell, you’ve flatly refused to even consider her a suspect.”

  Trees was right, but everything inside Zy rebelled. “It just doesn’t make sense. Tessa is no sort of spy. She doesn’t have the abilities or the connections or—”

  “That you know of. But be logical. It’s not Hunter, Logan, or Joaquin.”

  “I know. I don’t want to go through this—”

  “Shut up. It’s not you. It’s not me. And it’s not One-Mile.”

  Since the sniper had been in rough shape when they’d rescued him last September, no. If he’d been in cahoots with the cartel, they wouldn’t have nearly killed him. “I know.”

  “And it’s not Cutter or Josiah. They’re gone.”

  “They are, but it’s not impossible that they were involved when they were here.”

  “C’mon. The Boy Scout? The antiseptically clean former CIA agent? Do you really believe either of them would stoop to this level of shit?”

  No, and as much as Zy hated to admit it, they’d been on other missions when danger had hit the fan. But he hated to acknowledge that out loud.

  It didn’t matter; Trees inferred it for him. “That leaves Tessa, buddy.”

  “It can’t be,” he said without even thinking.

  “Why not?”

  Zy groped for a reply, thrilled as fuck when he stumbled on to one. “Because this shit started when she was on maternity leave. She wasn’t even around.”

  Trees hesitated. “True, and I’m not convinced she is the guilty one. I’m just not sure who else it could be. Let me ask you this: what happens if you don’t figure out who EM’s mole is?”

  “She’s fired.” So are both of us. Zy didn’t say that, mostly because the bosses were still down an operator. Replacing two more at once would be a bitch and that could buy them a little more time, but Tessa… In their eyes, she was both expendable and easily replaceable.

  “Look, when I get back, I’ll sit down and perform a thorough, top-to-bottom scan of all the internal systems. I’ll even come in on a weekend and scan every single person’s computer so I’m not in anyone’s way. But until then, you need to prove you can rule her out completely.”

  “How the fuck am I supposed to do that?” But Zy knew. He’d run a double-cross disinformation mission before.

  “Stop playing games with yourself, man. I know you love her—”

  “I fucking bought her an engagement ring today.”

  “Wouldn’t you rather know now if you should give it to her?”