Chapter 110

Nolan studied the other man for a long time, considering his options. Was he really ready to let the guy walk—with the diamonds—just to keep Candace happy?

If he apprehended Andrew and brought him back to Quinley, he’d go to prison for a long time. And Nolan would lose Candace forever.

On the other hand, that was about ten million dollars worth of stones in that bag Andrew was casually hefting over his shoulder. Which was a hell of a lot of money to let just walk away. And it wasn’t just money. It was money belonging to his best friend. It was his company’s reputation on the line. Was he really going to risk all of that for Candace's happiness?

He’d come here this morning telling himself as long as he got the diamonds back, he’d be okay with letting Andrew walk. That was the deal he made with himself. He’d let her brother go, if he handed over the stones.

Now it looked like he’d get neither.

Nolan stood, ramming his hands into his pockets as he watched Andrew blend in with the crowd of tourists waiting to board the plane.

Yes. He was.

She meant more to him than any of that. Money was made and lost every day. Either his friendship with Derek would survive this or it wouldn’t, but Nolan felt pretty sure it would. Candace , on the other hand, was one of a kind. She meant more to him than any other woman he’d ever known. And he wasn’t about to lose her again.

Nolan turned, ready to make his way back out of the airline terminal, only to see Candace dashing through the crowd toward him. She stopped just short of him, panting as if she’d run all the way from the security checkpoint. In her hand she clutched an airline ticket like the one he’d had to purchase to reach the boarding gate.

“Don’t tell me we’re too late!”

“What are you doing here?” Quinn got the question out just as J.D. came Nolan behind her.

“Did we miss him?” he asked.

Candace ignored Nolan's question and stood on her tippy toes, straining to see over the milling people. “Do you see him? Is he here? Has he even been here?”

Instead of waiting for Nolan to answer, she hopped onto the chair Andrew had been sitting in and used the added height to get a better look at the crowd. Then she pointed toward the gate. “J.D., there! They’re taking his ticket right now. In the straw hat and the red print shirt.”

J.D. dashed off toward the gate, several of Carrington Security’s other people following. Before she could dash off after them, Nolan snagged her arm and stopped her. He caught her easily. She looked up at him, indignation ablaze in her eyes as she wiggled out of his grasp.

“I can’t believe—” she swatted at his bicep “—you were willing to just get the diamonds back and let Andrew go. Of all the stupid, brainless—” But then she paused mid-swat and looked around on the ground. “Wait a second. I don’t see a bag. J.D. said it would be big.” She framed out the approximate size of the bag. “And that it would be heavy.” She narrowed her gaze at him. “Why don’t I see a big, heavy bag anywhere?”

Near the gate, a scuffle had broken out. No doubt J.D. and the rest of the guys were taking down Andrew.

Candace went pale. “Dear lord, tell me you didn’t let him leave with the diamonds.”

“He called my bluff,” Nolan admitted. He studied her then, taking in every nuance of her expression. Finally he nodded toward the gateway and commotion there. “You know what you’ve done, don’t you? J.D.’s going to get the diamonds back, but your brother…”

“My brother’s finally going to have to live up to his responsibilities. He got himself into this mess.”

Before he could stop her, she marched off after her brother. Nolan followed a few steps behind her. By the time she reached the gate, J.D. had the duffel bag in hand. One of the other guys had Andrew's arms pinned behind his back. The other guys who’d come with them were speaking with airport security.

Nolan didn’t want her to have to face her brother. Personally, he wanted to rip Andrew limb from limb just so she’d never have to deal with the guy again. But she kept telling him she didn’t need him protecting her. So he backed off and let her confront Andrew on her own.

She stopped mere inches from her brother. Her whole body seemed to tremble with emotion. Nolan held his breath, waiting to see what she’d do.

Part of him wanted her to haul off and punch Andrew. Another part hoped she’d burst into tears. Andrew's betrayal had damn near broken her and he should have to deal with that firsthand.

But Candace, being Candace, did neither. She just got right in Andrew's face and asked, “Andrew, how could you?”

Andrew flashed a raffish grin. “Do you want like a step-by-step description? ’Cause that would take a while and I’m not sure these fine gentlemen are willing to wait.”

She blinked, obviously surprised by his cavalier attitude, though it didn’t surprise Nolan. “Then you admit you did it?”

“Come on, sis. You got to admit you’re a little impressed.” Then she slapped him so hard across the cheek a speck of blood pooled at the corner of his mouth. “I guess that’s a ‘no’ then.” he said.

“I worried myself sick over you. I begged for you. Can you even imagine how hard that was for me?”

For an instant, doubt crossed Andrew's face and Nolan wondered if Andrew wasn’t sorrier for what he’d done than Nolan gave him credit for. But Candace was so lost in her diatribe, she didn’t seem to see it.

“And after all I did for you, you were just leaving.” She gestured toward the plane still waiting on the tarmac. “You were just going to leave me alone. You were going to leave Michelle and mom. Our grandparents who sacrificed so much for us… Without a word of explanation. You were just going to leave us all alone.”

Her voice cracked on the word alone. Nolan stepped forward then, placing a hand on her shoulder. At his touch, some of her tension seeped away and she shifted her weight to lean against him infinitesimally.