Page 64 of August

“No one knows anything, Senator,” he said. “Not yet anyway. I meant it when I said that if you hand over Todd, our business is done. You have my word.” August’s business with him might be done, but the authorities would get a little tip on the charitable foundation’s dealings.

“You think I give a shit about your word? I don’t even know you.”

“I guess not.” August shrugged. “But you can be damn sure this’ll be front-page news if you don’t do what I say right fucking now.”

“Fine,” he said, his tone clipped. “Give me instructions.”

“Where is he exactly?”

“At my house on San Juan Island.”

“Good work, Senator. You get points for honesty. Take him to the dock in Anacortes this afternoon at 3:00 p.m.”

“No, that won’t work. You think Todd’s just going to trust me and come into the city? He’s been hiding at my place for over three months. He’ll know something’s up if I suddenly demand he blow his cover. I’ll come to you.”

August turned to face the window and surveyed the harbor in the distance. It could be a trap. He could be trying to draw August out.

Let him fucking try. “We’ll meet you at your San Juan property at 3:00 p.m., and if you try anything to fuck this up, know I’ve got a whole team of people here who can and will leak everything we know about you and Val Alvarez.”

“I don’t want any trouble. Todd’s been freeloading for months. Take him.”

Interesting. Roy could pretend he didn’t give a damn about Todd all he wanted—he was still a senator aiding and abetting a criminal. Which meant he wouldn’t be taking the risk unless he had a lot to gain from keeping Todd alive.

“Good. We’ll see you soon. And Senator? No need to send the address.” He clicked off and tucked his phone in his pocket.

A fiery sense of accomplishment rushed through him. They were getting somewhere. Once August had Todd in his possession, he’d cut a deal with the cartel.

Still, August couldn’t shake a feeling of disquiet. He wasn’t certain this afternoon would go off without a hitch.

Whatever happened, it couldn’t cost them their only bargaining tool.

CHAPTER 20

Gigi scrambled off the bed. “Oh my god, he agreed? He’s going to give up Todd?” Doubt pinched her chest. It couldn’t be that easy.

Then again, the Radcliffes had a lot to lose. Eighty-five million dollars for starters, but more than that, their reputation and freedom if the authorities got involved.

Would the cartel even accept the deal, though? They wanted Todd. That’s what all this was about. But they also seemed to be driven by revenge. Maybe getting Todd was just the beginning. If they stupidly believed Todd still loved her and she him, they might think hurting her would make him suffer more.

She stared at August’s rigid form. He still hadn’t put on a shirt. She had nothing to complain about. The dude was ripped in all the right places. Add in the splashes of ink and scars on his back and chest and the sight of him made her insides liquefy.

“That’s what he said. We’ll see if he follows through—or if they try anything.”

Gigi drew back her head. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I don’t think they’ll bring the cartel to the island to ambush us. They probably just want all this to go away. But we’ll be ready for anything they might pull.”

She glanced at the clock on the nightstand: 10:00 a.m. “I’ll shower.” It’d take an hour and a half to drive to Anacortes and then another hour to get to San Juan Island by boat.

She moved toward the bathroom, but August snaked his hand around her waist. “Everything’s going to be okay.” His expression was hard, promising. He was either trying to convince her or himself.

Forcing a smile, she brushed her fingers over his pec. “I know. I don’t doubt it for a minute.”

He grunted and slid his palm down to cup her ass. “Good. Now go get showered before I get a different idea.”

She laughed and scurried into the bathroom. “As if you don’t always have that idea,” she said, closing the door.

“Only with you.” His voice dropped, low and seductive.

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