Raw Redemption (Crossing the Line #4)(50)

“I won’t ask you for a please since you just rocked my world.”

When Austin gave a discreet cough across the room, Ailish’s cheeks turned pink and she quickly dropped into the chair in front of Henrik. “Well,” the con said. “That clears up the mystery of why they were late quite handily, doesn’t it?”

Polly elbowed her boyfriend in the ribs, but the hacker was definitely battling a smile. “I’ll start, since I’m”—she shrugged, glancing around the room—“the best. I mean, let’s not sugarcoat it.”

Austin nodded in agreement.

Bowen’s eye roll could probably be heard two states away.

“I tracked the man who stole Ailish’s money in Wisconsin—Eamon Lindt—and found him in Miami, because that wasn’t an obvious choice.” Henrik watched Ailish’s shoulders stiffen at the information relayed by Polly. When she’d told him about Eamon—or Cubs Cap, as she’d referred to the man—he’d been collecting information to keep her safe, but she would see his sharing it with the squad a breaking of confidence. And there was nothing he could do about it. “Since Connor and Erin are keeping their heads down anyway,” Polly continued, “we sent them down to bring Captain Obvious back. They should be on a plane as we speak.”

Henrik sensed Ailish staring up at him, knew there would be questions in her eyes, so he couldn’t look. “So we should be good to go for tomorrow morning?”

Polly gave him a thumbs-up. “You can thank Austin for taking care of designating a safe house for Ailish to cool her heels while you’re on the inside with Daddy-oh. No one will be able to find her, except me. So be glad I’m not looking.”

Ailish’s spine had gone straight. She started to speak, but Derek’s voice boomed before she got the chance. “Bowen and Sera will be guarding you, Ms. O’Kelly, replaced by Polly and Austin every other day until this is over.” He ran a hand over his day-old beard. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“I don’t?” Henrik couldn’t ignore Ailish this time. She stood and turned, confusion swirling in her beautiful eyes. When he offered no immediate explanation, she paled a little more, facing Derek again. “Why are you bringing Eamon back to Chicago? I don’t understand.”

Derek and Henrik exchanged a glance, the captain correctly interpreting what lay in his expression. He hadn’t told Ailish the actual plan. Derek leaned back on his desk and sighed. “Henrik is going to take Eamon as an offering to your father. He was in possession of the money you stole when Connor and Erin found him in Miami. Henrik hands over the thief, the stolen cash, and he’s in.”

Over her shoulder, Ailish pinned Henrik with a shaken look. “You said you were using me to get in. You”—her voice dropped—“you promised we were in this together.”

Henrik wanted to claw his skin off just witnessing the pain flashing lightning bolts across her face. His heartbeat had dropped to a dull, lifeless beat at the loss of her. He’d lost her, just like that. “I can’t take you in there, Ailish. If something goes bad with me, suspicion will land on you by association. Don’t you know I would do anything to prevent putting you in danger? Anything.”

“Including lying to get me back here.” The remaining color leached from her face. This time when she whispered, it was for Henrik’s ears alone. “Were we…was it real? I—”

“Yes.” Henrik gripped her shoulders and shook, unable to control his own body or the sick feeling permeating his gut. “You can’t actually be doubting that. Look at me. You can’t be.”

She opened her mouth, closed it, before tugging out of his grip and taking in the room, as if through fresh eyes. It didn’t go unnoticed by Henrik that she hadn’t given him an answer. Oh no. It was an uncertainty that made him wish for a quick death. “So what? You leave me with them, while you go to work for my father?” She shook her head. “I don’t want to be protected anymore. You know that.”

“As soon as you tell Henrik what he’s looking for inside the house, he’ll spend the night preparing,” Derek answered quietly, addressing only the first of Ailish’s questions. “Although in this case, there isn’t much for him to prepare for, considering he’s just playing himself.”

“Sometimes that’s the hardest part to play,” Austin interjected, with a nod at Henrik. “We have a longer night ahead than you think. Best get started.”

Sera moved toward Ailish. “We can take you to the safe house, make sure you get cleaned up and have something to eat.” She laid a hand on Ailish’s forearm, her tone comforting. “Tomorrow is soon enough for Derek to speak to you at length, but for now, just give Henrik an idea of the lead he’s looking for. That’s all we need tonight, then you can get some rest.”

Henrik couldn’t see Ailish’s face, but when her shoulders squared, he knew what was coming. Knew it better than anyone in the room. Ailish might have lived her life according to everyone else’s rules and plans, but she sure as shit wasn’t playing the docile daughter now. Even in the midst of the swamping dread, Henrik was proud as hell of her. Wished their connection hadn’t been severed, so he could share the moment with her. Beg her to reconsider afterward.

Ailish dropped into the folding chair and crossed her legs. “I’m not telling Henrik anything. Or you,” she said, nodding at Derek. “I’m not cooperating. And I’m not going to any safe house. So why don’t you go ahead and put me in a cell?” She held out her wrists, an invitation to cuff her. “Congratulations, you have the Bookie Cookie in custody.”