Forgiving Paris: A Novel(24)

“Before the first clients Thursday night, you’ll convince the guards to let the girls spend time with you. All of them. Whatever you have to tell your father and his men, just make it happen.”

Eliza had done that before. Thinking about it made her feel sick. The times when she had brought the girls into the boardroom or her own room, and talked them into being good girls for the customers. “I… I can do that.”

“That’ll be at seven thirty. At seven thirty-five we’ll enter through every door on the property and the guards will be… neutralized. I’ll work with another agent to get you and the girls out and onto a bus and then to a bluff half a mile down the beach. Once we’re there, a helicopter will pick us up.”

A helicopter? The plan sounded crazy. How could it ever work? She started to shiver again. “What if… what if it doesn’t show up?”

“It will.” There were no cracks in Luke’s confidence. “There won’t be time to—”

Eliza heard the sound of the doorknob turning. At the same instant, Luke rolled on top of her, his mouth on hers. Their bodies intertwined. Eliza had never done this before, but his kiss was warm and marked by a passion that took her breath. It lasted only a few seconds while Asia watched.

Then—as if he had only just noticed someone else was in the room, Luke jerked his head up. “Hey, man… what’s this?” Luke shot Asia an angry look. “You’re dishonoring my bride.”

The guard stared at the two of them. Jack was still on top of her, moving in a way that would convince the bodyguard. The giant man chuckled. “Your time’s almost up.” He leered at them again, and finally stepped back into the hallway and shut the door.

Instantly Jack was off her, and laying on his side again. “I’m sorry.” His eyes were void of every emotion but one—frustration. “He had to believe us.”

“Yeah. I think he did.” She wondered if he could hear her heartbeat.

If this FBI agent was tempted… if he was feeling anything physical for her, he didn’t show it. Instead, he studied her face. “You’re a victim, here. Do you know that? Just because your father never trafficked you, doesn’t mean you’re not a victim. You are.”

They were both whispering now. Eliza forced herself not to think about his kiss. “You told me I was a criminal. I could serve time.”

“You could. But what you did… grooming those girls… you had to do that.” His eyes saw straight through her. “We know all about your father. The goal is to set you free, get you help so you can have a new life.” He paused. “You and all the girls here.”

“What if…” Angry tears filled Eliza’s eyes. She didn’t know how to feel. In this room she had always been spared interaction with men. But not this one. Not Luke. “What if I don’t want to do this.”

“I don’t blame you. All you’ve known is captivity.” For the first time she heard sympathy in Luke’s voice. “But you will help me. That’s what you said, right?”

Eliza closed her eyes so the tears wouldn’t come. She was going to get killed. She could already feel the bullet ripping through her body. Or maybe… just maybe… She dabbed her fingertips beneath her eyes and looked at Luke. “I hate this. But yes. I’ll help you.”

For the next ten minutes, with the two of them lying beneath the sheets facing each other, Luke told her additional details about the raid. He promised there would be more information tomorrow. “Missions are always evolving.” His body was inches from hers, but he spoke to her like they were sitting in a business meeting. “We have to keep the plan fluid until the final hour.”

Eliza looked away. What was she feeling? For the first time since she was brought here, she’d kissed a man. A man who treated her with respect. A man nothing like the other men who visited the Palace. She had no choice but to go along with his plan. Never mind about the kiss or how it felt to be in his arms. If this plan worked, Eliza was sure of one thing. Once she was free, she would never lie in bed with a man again.

Not ever.





CHAPTER NINE


Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.

—Psalm 41:1



The mission was on. Eliza had agreed to help, which was the only good thing that had happened last night.

Jack brought his coffee out onto the balcony of his hotel room and looked at the afternoon sky. No clouds today. Just a vast endless blue. He took a sip and shook his head. He had expected Eliza’s bodyguard might burst in midhour. Agent’s intuition, he called it. That knowing sense.

There were lines an agent wouldn’t cross when it came to breaking up a trafficking ring. Jack wouldn’t let a woman touch him inappropriately, and he wouldn’t make a physical advance on her. Not unless his or her life was in danger. And even in that case, the instructions were to keep things platonic.

As much and as long as possible.

If Jack hadn’t kissed her, he’d be dead. That much was certain. Jack was tall, but the guard had a few inches on him, easy. Between the man’s size and his assault rifle, Jack wouldn’t have had a chance. Still he hated what he’d had to do.

And tonight would be Round Two. Earlier Jack had stopped by the Palace to speak with Anders. No need to take part in “showtime” as the sick man called it. Jack told him he wanted to see Eliza again. Same time. Basically, Eliza had passed the first test. The big bodyguard stared at him throughout his brief visit, but Anders seemed pleased.