Chapter 100

The quiet decisiveness with which she accepted his pronouncement took him completely by surprise. She merely nodded, her expression set in lines of grim determination. “I’ll go get my passport, but I don’t think he’ll be there.”

Nolan tucked his hands into his pockets, his shoulders drooped, weighted down by her disbelief. “You don’t have to come. I didn’t ask you to.”

She frowned, her conviction seeming to waver. “It’s not that I don’t trust you.”

His lips curved in a wry smile. “Obviously.”

“But Andrew is my brother and someone has to believe in him. I haven't even had the chance to fill Michelle in on all of this.”

She might as well have kicked him in the gut. She didn't believe or have any trust in him this way, and his attitude since she returned hadn't made it better. If she didn’t want him touching her, that was his fault. Things could have been different. But now the only solace he could offer was the comfort of knowing that he’d find her brother before the Feds did.

When he nodded his understanding, she propelled herself across the room and into his arms. He held her close, wanting to be the strength and comfort that no one else in her life was.

His hand was at the back of her head, stroking her hair in slow even motions. “You should stay. Rest for a few days. Take it easy. I’ll let you know if I find anything.”

If I find anything, he’d said. But, of course, what he meant was when I find Andrew. He could tell she was tempted. She could stay here. Let her life just go on. Pretend her brother wasn’t in serious trouble. Pretend he hadn’t involved her—however unwillingly—in something illegal.

Nolan prayed that she’d agree. He wanted to take on this burden for her. He could find her brother. Bring him safely home, even if it was to face the consequences of his actions. Nolan knew she may never forgive him for the part he would have to play in this, but at the very least, she didn’t have to be on hand to see her brother come to justice.

But of course, Nolan knew she wouldn’t let him handle everything for her. She wasn’t the type to back down from things, no matter how unpleasant they might be. She’d always prided herself in being as tough as they came. Whatever happened with her brother, she’d face it head-on.

She pulled herself away from the shelter of his arms.

“Okay, I’ll go pack.”

“I’ll be back in an hour to pick you up, if you’re sure,” he said as he headed for the door.

“Yes, I’m sure. I can’t let you do this for me.”

He hesitated, his hand already on the doorknob. “I need you to understand, I’m not doing this only for you. I owe Messina Diamonds a lot.”

“I know.” She nodded, a sad little smile playing about her lips. “And your business is everything to you. I understand. I don’t expect—” She blew out a breath. “Well, no matter what happens, I know where your priorities lie.”

Unable to stand the sheer vulnerability in her gaze any longer, he simply left. Maybe the time apart would do them both good.

Nolan figured there was a decent chance that he’d strangle Andrew if he ever got close enough to wrap his hands around the other man’s throat. And chances were pretty good he’d be able to convince a court the idiot had it coming. Even if Nolan wasn’t able to defend his actions, it’d still be worth it.

Sitting beside Candace in the back of the limo he’d hired to pick them up, he couldn’t help noticing how the issue had worn on her. Her face was drawn and pale. She had dark circles under her eyes that she’d been either unwilling or unable to hide with makeup. She’d pulled her hair back into a simple barrette, but several strands hung loose, not in an artfully enticing way. In fact, it rather looked as if she’d clipped her hair back while doing something else—packing, probably—just to get it out of her eyes, and had then forgotten she’d done it.

The difference between how she looked today and how she’d looked on Wednesday was marked. That day she’d obviously made an effort to look her best. Today she’d made no such effort. Not that he minded. To him, she was lovely no matter how she dressed. No matter how exhausted she was.

No, he minded because she deserved better than this. She didn't deserve a brother who used her for his own gain.

“You don’t have to come,” he said again.

“Yes, I do. I want to,” she insisted. She said it without turning her attention from her purse, which she’d been nervously thumbing through ever since she’d gotten into the car. “I panicked and told Michelle everything. I couldn't help it and she deserves to know because Andrew is her brother too, although I couldn't wait for her to come home before I left. I know she must be losing her mind right now,” she muttered. “I hope I didn't forget anything. Anything I’ve forgotten I can buy when we get there, right?”

Still babbling nervously, she didn’t wait for him to answer before pulling out her wallet and fingering the edges of two credit cards where they sat nestled in slots. “I should have more than enough room on this card. It’s my emergency card, but I’ve never bought a ticket last minute like this. How expensive do you think it’ll be? I’ve got a five-thousand-dollar limit. Will that cover it?”

“You’re not paying.”

“Of course I’m paying. I always pay my own way.”

“Not this time.” It was the least he could freakin’ do. He was not letting her pay her own way when she tagged along to help him arrest her brother.

Not that he had the jurisdiction to actually arrest Andrew when they found him. Even the FBI would have had to work with local authorities and have him extradited. No, right now Nolan was focusing on finding him, getting the diamonds back and encouraging him to return to Quinley. The thought of Candace having to witness any or all of that made his gut clench in knots.

“I’m certainly not letting you pay.”

She said it with such fierce defensiveness that he instantly felt like a cad.