Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

Nick stared,stunned. Darcy appeared brave and na?ve at the same time. All he wanted to do was stay by her side, hold her hand, and protect her, but he couldn't. No way.

Why hadn't she revealed anything about her ex? Embarrassed or hiding something? Trattori's money had financed her children's homes. Everyone knew that. Was her innocent appeal a ploy? It was dragging him in fast. He feared he couldn't see clearly because of how enthralled he was with her.

He tried to think through the possible angles. Mercedes had shared with everyone that he was Aiden's top security op. What if Johnny had been tipped off that Aiden was investigating him? Could Darcy be playing the part of a benevolent angel to lure Nick in?

That made no sense. She was a benevolent angel, and how would Johnny know Nick would be on this show? Also, a wealthy lady didn't live in dangerous and poverty-like circumstances and care for babies round the clock without being a charitable icon. If only he dared talk to her about her ex and trust what she revealed to him.

She excused herself and hurried from the room. He wanted to follow her. Would he push her away if he chased her now?

"Dude," Hays whispered to Jagger as soon as she cleared the doorway. "You insensitive jerk."

Jagger lifted his hands. "Somebody needs to tell her. Do you think she even has security? Beautiful, classy, and obviously wealthy, but as na?ve as a boot who doesn't realize what he signed up for and is going to get his butt handed to him. How has she not been kidnapped, raped, or trafficked already?"

Hays shook his head, obviously having no answers. He studied the door. "What if she has been hurt? Do you think that's why she took off?"

Nick was sick to his stomach. Jagger was right that she needed to consider her own safety. Somehow, Darcy had survived in very dangerous foreign cities, especially for a beautiful, wealthy, and single American woman.

Was she as alone as he was? He had his family and buddies, but a special lady to love and protect … never. She'd been hurt by Trattori. He imagined it had been devastating when Johnny's affair was exposed and Johnny chose his mistress over his wife. Could he trust that Darcy knew nothing about Johnny's true business?

Who knew? He could at least comfort her.

He jumped to his feet. Hays looked up at him. Nick could tell the guy was interested and wanted to go after her, but Nick would get there first.

He didn't even say anything, just took off at a run.

He caught her as she reached the lower hallway where the suites were located. Before he could put his arms around her, she whirled and planted her back into the wall, staring up at him with a sassy glare and tears in her blue eyes.

"Did you come to tell me how stupid and unsafe I am too?" she threw at him.

She was innocent, feisty, and mesmerizing.

"Darcy …" Her name was all he could manage to get out. He had no words. Without even giving himself permission, he stepped in and wrapped his arms around her.

She stood stiff for half a beat. He should release her. He had no business hugging Trattori's ex, and she didn't want him to comfort her.

Then she leaned into him and let out a sob. Nick's stomach dropped. She had been kidnapped, raped, or trafficked in the past four years, just as they'd all feared. He'd seen all of that and much worse. It was one of the top reasons he fought and trained and protected.

That was the only reason he could imagine she'd cry like this. Unless Trattori had abused her in their marriage, traumatized and terrified her into never revealing how underhanded he was. He could easily believe that.

He wanted to hunt Trattori down more than ever. At the moment, he had no idea what to do but hold her. Thankfully, she let him do that much.

Footsteps approached from down the hall, and he almost groaned. He wanted to comfort and love her. Alone. It wasn't really his place as he hardly knew her.

She pulled away and backed into the wall again, wiping at her tears as Jagger and Hays approached.

"Forgive me," Jagger muttered. "I don't really know … decorum."

Darcy offered a wobbly smile. "That was obvious."

Jagger had made his apology. That was good. Now could Nick wave these two off and step in and hold her again? He could also listen if she was ready to talk through whatever had made her sob. He felt conflicted about that, though. What if it was Trattori and she gave him information that helped his case? He desperately wanted that information, but he didn't want to betray Darcy's trust in sharing with him.

"For sure," Hays agreed. He looked her over. "Who hurt you?"

Darcy studied him for a second, then glanced at Nick. She wrapped her arms around herself and murmured, "Who didn't?"

A groan rose from Nick's throat. He stepped in again, but he didn't know if she wanted him to wrap her up. "Darcy," he managed. "No."

"Where? Who?" Jagger ground out. "We'll find them, and we'll kill them."

Nick and Hays nodded their agreement. Forget waiting to get proof on Trattori or taking down his entire ring. Vigilante justice was in order now.

Nick hadn't been a big fan of these two SEALs on first impression, but they were rising in his estimation quick. Aiden had mentioned trying to hire them when they were ready to retire from active duty. Nick would agree that they'd be assets.

Darcy's eyes widened. She looked around at all of their faces and then put her hand over her mouth. "You all are so protective … thank you."

Nick nodded and saw the other men do the same. They were protective. They'd get through this week, he'd win the money for Darcy to help with her orphanages, then they'd find every person who hurt her and remove them from this earth. Starting with Johnny Trattori. Then he'd install security cameras and hire security personnel for her centers. Then he'd have to retire from working for Aiden and follow her around to keep her safe.

Whoa. His thoughts were extreme. His work had been his life and his passion, and he still didn't know if he could trust her. He looked into her sapphire blue eyes, thought of the way it had felt to hold her. How could he not trust her? He wouldn't reveal what he knew—he couldn't—but he could keep her safe and hold her again.

"It's not like you think," she insisted. "I've been safe as I volunteer and travel. The person who hurt me … he didn't …" She shook her head. "You don't need my sob story."

Nick wanted her sob story. He wanted to hear every story she would tell. Then he would hunt this man down and at the very least maim him. It had to be Trattori. He didn't need Jagger and Hays' help, but he appreciated the offer.

"Thank you." She gave them a watery smile. "I feel like I've got three big brothers who will watch out for me and fight for me."

Nick had so many thoughts. He wanted to watch out for her. He wanted to comfort her and kiss those tears away. He did not want to be a big brother. He wanted to be her protector and maybe more.

He barely knew her, and he was in a huge conflict of interest with who she was. If she was innocent, it changed everything.

This was the worst possible time to be without his phone. He needed Aiden's advice.

"I've never had family," she admitted then, biting at her lip and studying the slate flooring. "Thank you for caring. I … it means a lot …" She sniffled. "Goodnight."

She slipped through the door and closed it gently.

She didn't have family. Never had. Was she an orphan like him? That would make sense why she had created safe havens for little ones without family. It would also make sense how she could marry a slime like Trattori and nobody had protected or warned her. He didn't know nearly enough about her, and the questions and concerns were compiling.

Jagger tilted his head. Nick and Hays nodded in agreement. She needed space, rest, maybe to cry alone. Nick's fists clenched. He didn't want her crying alone, but he couldn't barge into her private space either.

They somberly walked down the hall, up the stairs, and back into the dining room. In silent agreement, they started eating the rest of their unfinished meals. They'd need their strength for tomorrow, but the food didn't taste good any longer, and Nick didn't think it had anything to do with eating a lukewarm steak that probably cost more than his first Sig MI8.

"Man, this sucks," Jagger muttered after about fifteen minutes of quiet chewing and swallowing and listening to water lap against the hull while the yacht's engines purred.

"Knowing she's hurting?" Hays asked.

Jagger and Nick both nodded.

Pushing his plate away, Jagger leaned back in his chair. "I hate that I'm the one who snapped at her about being safe and now I have to take away the million dollars she should earn for her orphanages. Maybe she could buy security with some of that money."

"You're assuming you can beat me," Nick said. "You can't."

Jagger gave him a challenging glare, but there was no heat in it.

"Why are you doing this?" Nick asked, wanting to distract himself from that intriguing woman possibly crying herself to sleep downstairs. "Pride and Shawn and Mercedes?"

"Shawn and Mercedes," Jagger said.

Hays nodded.

"Mercedes I get. She's a sweetheart." Nick took a swallow of water before admitting, "Sorry, but Shawn seems like a standoffish jerk."

Instead of being offended, they both chuckled. "Ah, for sure. I about drowned him when we went through Hell Week together," Jagger admitted.

"Shawn's a SEAL?" Nick asked.

"He never made it through," Hays said. "Never rang the bell. Never gave up, but he couldn't pass the drown-proof testing. I can't even remember how many times he tried and failed … I hated that for him."

"That does suck. But you all are tight?"

"Like brothers," Jagger said, clearly daring Nick to say something about it. "I'd do anything for Shawn."

"Me too." Hays nodded. He looked at Jagger, then told Nick, "We also knew Mercedes's brother Grayson."

Nick searched his memory. Lieutenant Grayson Travier. Half-brother who didn't meet his dad or know his half-sister existed until he was eighteen. Killed in action a few years later. "I see."

"We're with Shawn and willing to do anything for Mercedes. So here we are, fulfilling that benevolent angel's … wishes." Jagger spread his hands.

Nick wondered about the pause. It was rumored she was very sick. She looked like death warmed over and coated with makeup and expensive jewelry and slinky material.

"I see. Plus your pride." Nick smiled.

"Sometimes pride is all a man has," Jagger muttered.

Hays shifted but didn't say anything.

"I get that." Nick had his amazing family, Aiden, and many friends. But he didn't have a woman he loved.

If only Darcy were any other woman. He'd be pursuing her hard.

The men moved to talking about weapons and he happily obliged, enjoying the conversation. Even if his heart was in the suite below, stressing over Darcy.