Page 148 of Wicked and Claimed

He strode down the hallway toward Kane and Ethan, who waited by the elevator, both in formal wear that did little to disguise the warriors beneath.

“Good to see you, man.” Nash clapped Ethan’s shoulder.

He flashed his cocky signature grin. “Good to be back. Tonight should be exciting.”

“Should be. Get bored with the pussy at home?” Nash asked for the cameras.

Ethan’s expression sobered. “Too many tears. I decided to fix that shit.”

So Kaylee Wright was still struggling, and Ethan seemed determined to put a stop to this island of horrors. In fact, he seemed really committed. Did the eternal manwhore have feelings for the virgin he’d saved? It would be goddamn hysterical if it wasn’t so sad.

Whatever the reason, mad respect to Ethan for coming back and putting his life on the line. He wasn’t being paid for this op. Neither was Kane. In fact the whole EM Security team was helping out and risking their lives so he could save Haisley. Nash was grateful as hell.

He fist-bumped Ethan. “Absolutely, brother.”

Face grim, Kane activated one of the Santiago brothers’ signal scramblers disguised as a phone. The light turned green. “Two minutes of privacy. You ready?”

Nash nodded. “Teams in position?”

“Everyone is a go,” Ethan assured. “The feds have the island surrounded and staged themselves on boats beyond radar range. They also have a dozen undercover agents scattered through the crowd, who will rescue women backstage and start making arrests.”

“Speaking of rescue…” Nash frowned. “What about evidence? Files? Records? We need to track down past victims, too.”

“Tech team is standing by,” Ethan replied. “The moment we breach their server room, they’ll start downloading everything. Names, dates, buyer information—anything that could help us find those victims.”

“And current victims? The ones still here?”

“Karliah is coordinating that effort. She estimates that there are at least thirty women on the property right now. Once things kick off, she’ll guide a hostage team to the cells and private suites. They’ve got blueprints showing every room where women are likely being held. Another team will handle the arrests on the compound outside of Midnight Sanctuary.”

“Good. And our distraction?”

“Charges are set. East side of the island, at the supply dock. On my signal.” Kane gripped the detonator in his pocket. “Should give us the time we need to move.”

“Anything else?” Nash asked.

Kane grimaced. “While I walked around, acting like a lost and lonely loser, I overheard staff whispering. There’s a rumor that Black Velvet is here. No confirmation, but…”

Tension torqued Nash’s stomach. That was a complication they didn’t need. He prayed it was merely a rumor, but they’d deal with that possibility if it materialized.

“You two should know…” Nash dragged in a breath. “Haisley is pregnant. We got the confirmation this morning. In case the worst happens, take care of her and the baby for me.”

“You’re going to be fine,” Kane insisted. “The plan is solid, and we’ll watch your six.”

“Totally,” Ethan put in.

“Promise me. If something happens…”

To Nash’s relief, they both nodded.

The scrambler beeped a warning. Kane checked his watch. “Thirty seconds.”

Nash turned to Ethan. “Any other news from back home?”

“Nothing you haven’t heard from the bosses, but we need to be prepared for the downdraft of this op. I’ve visited Kaylee Wright a few times since getting her home. She’s…struggling. Broke up with her boyfriend. Can barely leave the house. She’s afraid of life. She flinches every time she sees me.” Ethan ran a hand down his face. “These women and the trauma they’ve endured... How the hell do we help them rebuild their lives?”

It was a terrible truth and a sadly valid question.

“We start by getting them out,” Nash growled. “Then we make these bastards pay.”

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