Raw Redemption (Crossing the Line #4)(51)

Even though he’d expected an extreme reaction from the captain, seeing the hardening of Derek’s jaw—along with the added interest from his squad mates—made Henrik question his decision to bring Ailish back. Question his decision to trust the captain’s word.

“We had a deal,” Henrik reminded Derek. “It. Stands.”

Derek laughed without humor, scrubbing both hands down his face. “Christ. This squad is going to f*cking kill me.” The captain was quiet for long moments. Too long. Moments that tempted Henrik with scooping up Ailish and making a run for the door. Taking her somewhere and explaining what it would do to him if she were harmed under his watch. Or worse, if he was responsible for her being harmed. She would have to understand if he explained his actions—his reasons for lying—enough, right? Finally, Derek spoke, breaking the silence in the dim basement. “You go home, Henrik. Take Polly and Austin, get ready for tomorrow.” He lifted his head. “My word stands. She’ll be safe, and she’ll walk out of here without a record. But you sure as hell better bring me my man.” A pause dragged out. “Or you’ll be taking her place in the cell. We clear?”

When Ailish turned her attention on Henrik this time, he saw beneath the wall she’d thrown up. Saw her alarm at the idea of him going away on her behalf…and God, he almost laughed. Baby, you have no idea.

“Clear as crystal,” Henrik grated. “I don’t think I have to tell you that if something happens to her, I’ll paint this town with blood. Do I?”

“Yours or ours?” Austin drawled, calculation in his eyes.

Not deigning to answer, Henrik took one final look at Ailish, so beautiful and out of place among the harsh lighting and filthy walls, and strode from the room, painfully aware that he’d left his heart beating in the dank basement.

Good thing where he was going, he wouldn’t need it.





Chapter Fourteen


Ailish refused to break Derek’s stare as he paced back and forth behind the dented metal desk. After Henrik had walked out of the meeting room, Derek sent everyone packing, saying he wanted time to speak with Ailish privately. Well, he could ask repetitious cop questions until his face—which she could grudgingly admit was quite handsome—turned blue, and she wouldn’t budge. She’d been in this position before, but nothing about being the subject of a law enforcement member’s scrutiny felt the same now. In the last few weeks, she’d fended for herself, finagled her way out of two kidnappings, and been betrayed by a man. So Derek could bring it on for all she cared. At the moment, she didn’t have capacity for anger or fear. The numbness kept everything else locked out.

Every time Ailish thought of her rambling speech in the forest about Henrik and her being a team, being on the same side, shame coated her stomach. How could she have been so far off? Henrik knew how badly she wanted independence, how much it meant to make her own decisions, but he’d made the ultimate choice for her. Put her in a chair across from his captain as an asset, a means to an end, instead of an active participant. And she’d been blind enough to let it happen.

Go to your room Ailish, let the men talk business. How was that sentiment from her father any different than Henrik leaving her behind? She had wrongs to make up for, and it wouldn’t happen now. She’d never get the chance to make up for her transgressions, because he’d left her behind to be protected. Guarded. Talk about déjà vu. The princess was right back in her ivory tower where she belonged.

Fine. After being deceived, however, she wouldn’t put her chin up like a good girl and help their cause. If the police failed, she would find another way to atone for her sins. Implode Caine’s operation by herself. If the police indeed let her walk away, as Derek had promised. She had no reason to trust his word, although some stubborn part of Ailish believed. Because Henrik wouldn’t let it be any other way.

Ailish shifted in her chair, irritated at the conviction she still held over Henrik’s trustworthiness. How could she still have faith when he’d blindsided her so thoroughly tonight? Left her behind without so much as a good-bye. Again.

“I had questions prepared, but that was before I knew who you were,” Derek said, breaking the relative silence of the squad room. Water trickled along the asphalt ground outside, which stopped a few feet from ceiling level. “So forgive me for taking my time.”

Right. He doesn’t even think I realize it’s a tactic.

“I just didn’t want you to think I was stalling on purpose.” He stopped pacing and faced Ailish. “Like a tactic.”

Okay, so Derek was a way better cop than the one who’d interrogated her last time. Perfect. She still had nothing to say, but it was hard not to answer the man when he was speaking directly at her. It was rude to ignore people, after all. A reminder of all the times she’d called Henrik rude made Ailish’s throat hurt, so she curled a hand around it and breathed through her nose.

Derek’s sigh just about blew away every piece of official-looking paper he’d stacked on the table, his demeanor changing right before Ailish’s eyes. He pulled out the folding chair tucked under his desk and sat heavily, folding blunt-fingered hands on the scratched surface. “You’re lucky I have a soft spot for women who take off with a boatload of cash trying to find a better life.”

Ailish buried her surprise. “Yeah? I’m stuck in a basement with two choices. Rat out my father or go to jail. I don’t feel so lucky right about now.”