Hailey's Truth (39 page)

“Give me a couple minutes.” Ethan tapped away at his computer. “Damn firewall,” he muttered.

As he heard Ethan’s fingers flying over the keys, Austin heart pounded, his fist clenched. Answers were moments away; the wait was utter agony.

“Okay, I’m in. Let’s see. Flight 5525, non-stop to L.A. There’s record Sarah bought Hailey her ticket.”

“Sarah? Why did Sarah buy Hailey’s ticket?”

“Jeremy cleaned her out—maxed out her credit card, overdrew her checking, wiped out her savings. Took every damn dime. She called here a couple hours ago. Sarah said Hailey was as upset as she’d ever heard her.”

“Goddamn.” Austin struggled to keep his fist from connecting with the concrete wall as another layer of helpless anger piled on top of the rest.

“I’m into the next screen. Shit. Shit, man. Hailey never boarded the flight.”

Austin pressed trembling fingers to his temple. “Donte has her on the yacht. I want to get her now, storm right out there and get her, but I know I can’t. I need your help. Hunter’s too.”

“Let me charter a jet. Hopefully Collin’s friend will let us use his plane. We’ll be in the air in forty-five, tops.” He tapped computer keys again. “I’m sending out an all call to Hunter, Collin, and Tucker Campbell too.”

“I don’t care who you bring. Just get here.” He pressed the side of his fist to the wall, rested his weary head against it. “I love her, Ethan. I won’t be able to stand it if we’re too late.”

“We won’t be. Go keep an eye on the yacht. We’ll be there in seven hours, and we’ll arrive with a plan. I’ll call you before we land.”

“Okay.” Austin tried to hold on to hope. “Hailey texted Jackson. Donte has the girls too. Looks like we’re doing a five-person extraction. We have to end this.”

“I know. I’ll take care of everything. Let me go so I can get there.”

“Hurry.” Austin hung up and walked to the sliding doors.

“Casey, wait up,” Jackson called, jogging to him.

Austin stopped. “What are you doing? You need to take the group back to L.A.”

“They board in an hour. They’re grown adults scared enough by the violence they’ve seen to stay where I told them and get their asses on the plane. Jen said she’d call me when everyone’s on board. I’m not leaving you here to deal with this yourself.”

How could he express his gratitude? “Thank you.” Austin held out his hand.

Jackson took it and shook. “You’re welcome. Now, let’s get out of here and go get your girl back.”

Austin nodded as they stepped outside. It was time to start their surveillance. This was what he’d spent years doing as a SEAL. He was about to use his training to save the most important person in his life.

Chapter 24

D
ESI PULLED BACK ON THE throttle and cut the engine. Hailey’s stomach lurched with the up and down motion of the boat as it drifted to the yacht’s launch again. Desi glanced over his shoulder, eyes narrowed, as he picked up his radio and spoke into it. The head of Donte’s security team descended the stairs as the speedboat was tied off.

“Ms. Roberts, you’re back so soon.”

“I didn’t have much of a choice,” she said cooly as she eyed the Sleek One. “Clearly, there’s been a misunderstanding.”

Desi fired off in heated Spanish as the head of security nodded, staring at Hailey. She tried not to shrink under his impenetrable gaze. Instead, she lifted her chin, determined to play this out despite the way her heart thundered in her chest. It would be a miracle if she survived the day. She would do her damndest to increase the odds.

“You should come with me,” the Sleek One said.

Hailey stayed where she was, swallowing her terror. “I have to get back to the island. I missed my flight. I need to make arrangements for a new one.”

“Now, Ms. Roberts.”

Sighing, she stood up, trying to hide the trembling in her legs. “I don’t think Donte will be pleased.”

“I imagine you’re right.” His eyes glittered as his voice cooled.

Her knees buckled with her first step. Hailey grasped the plush seat as she made her way to the front of the boat. “Donte has always treated me with such kindness, such respect. I don’t understand what’s going on.”

“Respect is earned through loyalty. Right now, I question yours.” The Sleek One nodded at Desi.

Desi grabbed hold of Hailey’s tender arm, squeezing the bruises Jeremy had left not long ago. She gasped from the pain as Desi lifted her from the boat and shoved her, hard.

She lost her footing, skidded on the black tread, and went down with a thud on hands and knees. The burn of hot pumice scorched her skin.

“Get up,” Desi said between his teeth as he yanked her up by the elbow.

Hailey stared at her hands, down at her knees, wincing, as the gouges throbbed with each heartbeat. Blood oozed down her legs, dripped from her palms.

“She bleeds well.” Rio, the guard with mean brown eyes, stepped forward, grinning with madness. “I spotted a fin. Perhaps we will feed her to the sharks.”

Rio pulled Hailey to the edge of the boat and jerked her arm over the water, squeezing the wound on her hand until bones popped. Whimpering from the radiating pain, she watched drops of blood disappear into dark waves. Rio held her tight as he knelt down, splashed his fingers in the water. “I think this is how you shall die today, little bitch,” he laughed.

Few things terrified Hailey more than sharks. She fought to keep quiet against her need to cry out and beg.

Moments later, the fin Rio must’ve seen glided their way. Rio all but fell off the boat with his mirth as he splashed harder. “I will enjoy this. I really will.”

He stood as the shark swam closer, until Hailey stared at beady black eyes. She tried to scurry back in her panic, but Rio held her firm, yanking her arm out again, squeezing. Pain no longer registered over the bright hot terror coursing through her veins. Her breath came in gasps until she grew dizzy with hyperventilation.

Rio lifted her then, holding her over the water as another fin joined the first, swimming close. Hailey screamed, clasping his wrists, struggling to hang on to the burly man. “Please! Please stop!”

Rio stooped, dipping Hailey low, sending her legs knee deep. The shark charged forward. She slammed her eyes shut, waiting for the unspeakable pain of being ripped to pieces. Her stomach twisted when Rio pulled her up quickly, laughing hysterically as the massive fish crashed headfirst into the yacht.

“That’s enough, Rio,” the Sleek One said. “You’ve had your fun. Take her to Donte’s office.” He turned and climbed the stairs.

Pride forgotten, Hailey dropped to her knees on a keening sob. She trembled, from pain, from fear, until she was sure her bones would break.

Rio chuckled as he grabbed her arm again, wrenching her to her feet. Gasping, she collapsed to the deck, her legs too weak to hold her.

“Get up, little bitch.” He yanked her up, bringing her elbow back with such force that she yelped. Hailey staggered forward as Rio pushed her to a flight of stairs leading below deck.

She tried to stop. “Please, I need a moment to catch my breath.”

Rio clutched her tighter. She whimpered as her arm began to tingle.

A slow smile spread across his face. “Stop again and I’ll break it in half.” He twisted his wrist, wrenching her elbow until she cried out.

Blinking back tears, Hailey refused to cry anymore. She averted her gaze from Rio’s cruel eyes and stared ahead, waiting to be brought to Donte.

Rio dragged her down the steps and through an elegant hallway. The wood paneled walls gleamed with polish; her sandals sank deep in plush carpet. She glanced behind her and closed her eyes, wincing as she stared at her bloody footprints staining the creamy white. Would they punish her for that?

Rio stopped at a door, opened it, and sent her flying with another harsh shove before he shut her in. She heard a lock click into place.

Hailey took in the masculine space—the maroon leather couches and office chair, a glossy solid oak desk, state of the art office equipment. Her gaze paused on the telephone.

She flicked a glance over her shoulder, moistened her dry lips with a swipe of tongue, and moved forward. She needed to try Jackson again. Her hand shook as she grabbed the receiver and she pressed in his number. The line connected and rang. Her breath streamed in and rushed out.

“Hello.”

“Austin?” Her voice broke at the sound of his.

“Hailey, thank God.”

“I—I need help,” she struggled to talk through the tears strangling her throat.

“I know. Where are—“

The lock on the door turned. Hailey dropped the handset back with a clatter as she hurried away from the desk, leaving a trail of blood as she went. It was too late to do anything about—Donte had stepped inside.

She wiped her cheeks, drying her tears, and took a deep breath, trying to keep herself from sobbing. Hearing Austin’s voice undid what little grip she had on her composure.

“Hailey. You’re back, I see.” He gave her a guarded smile.

“Yes.” She closed her eyes, trying desperately to push Austin from her mind. He knew she was in trouble. She needed to do her part and survive long enough for him to come get her. “Yes, I’m back. I’m not sure why.”

“Desi said you used your phone after he asked you not to.”

She nodded. It was better to give him the truth or most of it. “I was checking my flight information.”

He moved further into the room. “But he asked you to put your phone away. You could have waited until you reached shore.”

She nodded again. “I know, but I’m so eager to go home.” She shuddered out a breath on the verge of tears. God, she wanted to go home.

Donte walked forward, stopped in front of her. “You are very upset.”

Give him the truth
, she reminded herself. “I am.” A tear escaped. Before she could wipe it away, Donte caught it on his thumb.

“You are too beautiful to be upset.”

“Rio’s crazy,” she blurted out. “He was going to feed me to the sharks.”

Donte stared until she struggled not to squirm. “Come sit down. Let’s clean you up.” He held her elbow, leading her to one of the plush leather chairs facing his desk.

She relaxed a fraction when he crouched down and frowned at her raw, bloody knees.

“This looks very painful.”

She gave him a small smile. “It stings.”

“Did Rio also do this?”

“Desi shoved me.”

“He has been too rough. Especially over a simple misunderstanding.” Donte skimmed his finger down her calf, following the dried trail a bloody drop had taken. He opened her palms, pressed his lips above her wounds.

She took his hand and clutched it. “Thank you for your kindness, Donte.”

“It is easy to be kind to an angel.” He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, moved forward, and brushed his mouth against her cheek.

Hailey closed her eyes, fighting the urge to move away. He might let her go if she didn’t resist.

Donte eased back. “Let’s get your wounds bandaged.”

She smiled. “I would like that. Will I be able to go to the airport after?” She held her breath, afraid she’d pushed too far.

He stared at her. “I will take you to shore personally.”

She hugged him in her relief and let out a watery laugh. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. I can’t wait to be back in L.A.”

“I’m sorry you are so happy to leave me here in Mexico.”

It wasn’t hard to play the part of the grateful victim. “Only for a little while.” She hugged him again. “We’re having lunch next week with your father.”

He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. She winced as the movement opened the wound on her palm. Blood pooled, then dripped. Donte turned to the desk. Hailey’s heart thudded as she watched his eyes trail over the drops of blood. She spotted the box of tissue behind a large plant. “I—I was going to help myself to a tissue. I was making a mess on your carpet.”

He stared a moment longer before he turned to face her again. “I think we can do better than a tissue.” He stood as his phone rang. “Let me get this, then we will take you to the kitchen. Maria will clean your scrapes and bandage you up before we go.”

“Okay.” She got to her feet as Donte walked around his desk and answered the phone. He spoke in Spanish while Hailey wandered to the large porthole window. She stared out at the cloudless sky, the blue water, the island she would set her feet on again very soon—hopefully.

Her mind wandered to Austin, to the sound of his voice on the phone just minutes before. She would call him when she was safely at the airport. That would probably be the last time they would speak—except for the awkward conversations they were bound to have at Ethan’s company barbeques or other times when they were forced to interact. They should’ve thought of that before they dived into something that was never meant to last. Thanksgivings and New Years Eve, birthday parties and weekend getaways were forever going to be uncomfortable—and painful—now that they had made such a mess of things.

Hailey realized the room had gone silent. Donte no longer spoke on the phone. She turned, took a step back as he stared, his eyes hard and dangerous.

Something happened; something had changed. She sent him a smile. “I didn’t hear you hang up.” She cleared her throat, attempting to vanish the nerves from her voice. “I was lost in my thoughts.” Her skin crawled with icy fear when he said nothing, his heated gaze trained on her. “Donte—“

“I just received a very interesting report, Hailey.”

“Oh?” She fiddled with her fingers, but stopped when he followed her movements.

Donte stood. “One of my most trusted men just informed me that Austin Casey and Jackson Matthews chose not to board their flight with the Project Mexico group.”

She frowned. “Project Mexico? I thought they were leaving next week.”

He grinned, but his eyes remained cold. “You are very good, Hailey. Very good.”

She shook her head, unable to speak.

Donte took a step closer. “Why do you think Mr. Casey and Mr. Matthews never boarded their flight?”

“I—I don’t know.” But it was clear Donte did. She inched closer to the window.

“Oh, I think you do. I very much believe you do.”

“Donte—“

He rushed forward and slapped her.

Hailey fell back, the pain a shock against her cheek.

“You betrayed me, Hailey. Made a fool of me.” Donte advanced again. She saw stars as he pulled her up by her ponytail, cringed as he held up his hand. “Look! Look at my palm. It is covered with blood.
Your
blood. Do you know why, Hailey?” He yanked back on her hair until she gasped, until she met his angry stare. “Do you know
why
?” he said between clenched teeth.

Terror clogged her brain as she sucked in a rush of air. Was it better to answer or keep quiet? “I—“

“Shut up. I will talk, and you will listen.” He jerked her forward. “Because you used my phone.” He let her go, chuckled without humor as he shook his head. “Reaching for a tissue. You lied to me. Not once, but several times. First, you make a call from the speedboat and tell me you were checking your flight information; then, you call from my yacht and tell me you needed to clean up your wounds.”