Not Without Risk (Wolff Securities Book 2)

by Jennifer Lowery

  God help her. What had she done?

  Guilt, fear, anger and a mix of so many other emotions threatened to overflow from inside her. Dani jumped to her feet, knocking over the kitchen chair. Panic clawed at her chest, making it hard to breathe. She wasn’t ready to be a mother. She’d never wanted to be a single parent. She couldn’t do this. Not without Ryan.

  Her breath trapped in her throat, making her gasp for air. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move.

  “Dani? Oh my God.”

  Vaguely aware of someone grabbing her shoulders, giving her a shake, Dani fought the urge to pass out. Someone pushed her down into a chair and shoved something over her mouth and nose. She slapped at it. Why would they try and suffocate her more?

  But, the hands holding what she realized was a paper bag over her face were unrelenting and Dani had no choice but to give in. After a few breaths, the buzzing in her ears subsided and the fire in her chest began to ease.

  Slowly, her breathing returned to normal and she pushed the bag away. Bailey stood over her, a look of concern on her flawless face. Dani had always felt inferior to Ryan’s sister. Bailey was a knockout. Strong, athletic, blonde and beautiful. She never made Dani feel plain and average, but it didn’t take a rocket scientist to see the glaring differences between them.

  “Are you all right?” Bailey asked, taking the bag and setting it aside.

  Dani nodded, feeling like a fool.

  Bailey sat down in front of her. “You were having a panic attack. Want to tell me what it was about?”

  She shook her head. In no way was she ready to share her news with the Wolff family. Bad enough Kell knew, but he would keep her secret. That, she trusted.

  “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

  Dani rose to her feet and paced to the sink for a glass of water. “Of course. I just…had a moment. I’m fine now.” She filled a glass with tap water and took a sip. “What brought you over?”

  “I thought maybe we’d go out for lunch. My treat.”

  Her appetite had yet to return. The thought of food made her want to vomit. Pregnancy? Or nerves? Up to this point she’d blamed her sickness on the valium and stress. Could be morning sickness.

  Not wanting to think about that, she set the glass in the sink. If she said no Bailey would insist, as all the Wolff clan did. Her life really hadn’t been her own since she met Ryan. Even less so now that she lived on Bleu Lake which should probably be called Wolff Lake since it was privately owned by the Wolff family and no one else lived on it.

  The last thing she wanted to do was get dressed and go out. But, she had no other choice, so she said, “Sure. Give me ten minutes to get changed.”

  ****

  Nate woke to the sound of someone knocking on the door. Sun shone through the windows. What time was it?

  He glanced at the bedside clock and shot up in bed. Jesus, he’d slept all night. Beside him, Macy let out a moan and stretched. “Is someone knocking?”

  “Wait here.” He threw the covers back and strode to the door. Without preamble, he pulled it open to reveal Salim standing there.

  “Time to go.” He said.

  “We’ll meet you in the foyer in a couple minutes.”

  Salim nodded and Nate closed the door. He turned around to find Macy sitting up in bed, the sheet pulled over her breasts. Her dark hair fell over her shoulders in soft, tousled waves. Sexy as hell.

  He pushed those thoughts away and picked up his pack to carry to the bed. “We have to go. Put these on.”

  She accepted the clothes he handed her and immediately started to dress. Nate had to turn around and put his boots on in order to stay focused. The woman had no modesty. He liked that she was so open, but damn. After last night, he couldn’t seem to keep his mind off how much he hungered for her.

  “I’m ready.” She said.

  He turned to find her fully dressed, hair pulled back into a messy twist with a few tendrils hanging loose. Before his thoughts got away from him, he gathered up their stuff and shouldered the pack.

  “Want to share where we’re going?” She asked, following him to the door with a pronounced limp.

  “Train station. Then we’re stowing away on a ship bound for the states.”

  “Stowaways? Do people even do that anymore?”

  “We are.”

  They stepped out into the hallway.

  “Do I even want to know how we’re going to hide on a ship?”

  “No.”

  He led her down the hallway, arm around her to help keep some of the weight off her leg. She moved easier than before. A good thing. Maybe she was healing after all. The infection was gone from her wound, he’d noticed that last night. Whatever that village woman did had done the trick.

  Salim, Joe and another man waited for them in the foyer. The third man looked like a sheikh. He had that air of authority around him that set Nate’s teeth on edge.

  Macy held back when she saw them, her shoulder digging into his ribs as she tried to retreat.

  “Nate, what is this?” She asked, panic tingeing her voice.

  Nate blocked her with his body. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

  Wide-eyed, she stared at the sheikh. She began to tremble.

  Nate motioned for the three to hold a second and turned so that he blocked them from Macy’s view. He put his hands on her shoulders. “These men are CIA. They aren’t here to harm you.”

  Her fists clenched at her sides. “That man is a sheikh. He…they buy girls on the black market.” Her voice was merely a whisper by time she finished.

  Damn. He pulled her into his arms. Absorbing her trembles. “I promise you this man is CIA. Trust me?”

  “I trust you.”

  “Then come with me. Let me do my job.”

  She drew in a deep breath, stepped back and straightened her shoulders. “Let’s do this.”

  Pride filled his chest. She was one hell of a woman.

  “Everything good here?” Joe asked as they approached, his gaze meeting Nate’s.

  “We’re good. What’s the plan from here?”

  “Not a fun one.” Joe said. “This is Osman. He’s going to be your cover on the train. Once you’re on the ship Salim will be your cover.”

  Nate nodded, shaking Osman’s hand.

  “I’m a horse trader.” Osman explained. “Raising a rare breed of Akhal-Teke or ‘Heaven’s Racers.’ I won’t bore you with details of how expensive and valuable this breed is. Just know that they are your cover because of their value and will get you home. Salim is my groom and his job is to care for the horses during their travels. He will take care of the horses and be your protector until you are in the United States.”

  Joe spoke up. “Are you ready for this?”

  Before Macy could question what ‘this’ was he said, “We’re ready.”

  “Then follow us.”

  They followed the three men out a back entrance to an enormous stable. Inside, a shiny new half-ton truck was set up with an expensive trailer. Inside the trailer two horses shifted restlessly.

  Osman opened the back of the trailer. “Come with me.” He said and walked inside.

  Macy sent Nate a doubtful look but went along anyway. The scent of horses, hay and leather greeted them. The trailer was, at least, clean and air conditioned.

  Osman opened up an ornate wooden trunk similar to the other three alongside the horse stalls. “These are for equipment and tack. No one will check these without Salim’s permission as these horses are considered worthy of gold and only the wealthy sell and buy them. It would be an insult to the seller for anyone to go through them.” Osman explained. “Besides, the trunks will be cleared at the train yard.”

  “Cleared how?” Nate asked, eyeing the wooden crate. It was going to be a tight squeeze. He hoped Macy wasn’t claustrophobic.

  “Inventoried. Mostly by checklist with Salim. I’ve used this transportation system enough to have gained certain…liberties. If you keep l
ow, stay quiet, do as Salim says, you’ll be in the states in nineteen days.”

  Damn. Long time to be stuffed in a box.

  “Now, the cargo area of the ship isn’t monitored except for occasional rounds to see if Salim needs anything and to check on the horses. I’ve arranged it that way,” Osman finished with a pointed look.

  In other words, he’d paid off the ship’s captain to keep the area unmonitored.

  “Someone will walk through on occasion so be prepared.”

  “Roger that.” Nate said. At least they wouldn’t be stuck in that trunk the entire nineteen days.

  “It’s time.” Joe said.

  Osman motioned toward the trunk. “Ladies first.”

  Macy sent Nate a questioning look but didn’t say anything as she tried to step into the box. When she winced trying to get her wounded leg inside, he picked her up and put them both inside. He handed his pack to Salim since it wouldn’t fit. “Where will that be?”

  Osman handed the pack to Joe. “Sorry, the deal was for two stowaways. Not their items.”

  The thought of being weaponless didn’t set well with Nate. He needed to be prepared for any situation. “Will Salim be carrying?”

  “No. He is a simple groom. There only to care for the horses.”

  Nate cursed.

  The truck roared to life.

  “Time to go.” Joe said, motioning them inside the trunk.

  “We have to get in now?” Macy asked.

  “The train is not far away. Please, get in.” Osman said, reaching for the lid.

  Nate lay on his side, legs pulled up, arm supporting his head. Cramped, but not terrible. He tugged Macy down and she carefully maneuvered so her wounded leg was on top, causing her to spoon with him. He slid an arm around her waist to give them more room.

  “Safe travels.” Osman said and closed the lid.

  The sounds of them leaving the trailer [SB1] was followed by the slam of the trailer door being latched. No going back now.

  “Nate?”

  “Yeah?”

  The trailer gave a little lurch and began to move.

  “It’s very dark in here.”

  “It is.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m not claustrophobic. Although this might push the boundaries.”

  He shifted his arm so she could rest her head on his bicep.

  “Thanks.” She said. “Gonna be a long ride, huh?”

  “Worth every minute if it means getting you home safe.”

  She was silent for a moment. “Nate?”

  “Hmmm?”

  “Thank you.”

  “Just doing my job.”

  Her muscles went rigid then slowly relaxed. He didn’t mean that to sound so callous, but space, figuratively, was what they needed right now. Their dangerous journey had only begun and he needed to be focused, ready for anything. Being distracted by the beautiful, strong woman pressed against him wasn’t an option.

  ****

  Nate put a hand over Macy’s mouth, saying in a low whisper, “Don’t move or make a sound.”

  Their trunk lifted, swung around and shot forward. Meant they were at the train station and the cargo was being loaded into the train car. One hurdle almost passed. As long as they didn’t change routine and look through every trunk they should be in good shape.

  Every muscle in Macy’s body pressed taught against him. Hell, he was a little tense himself. The only weapons he had were his hands. Lethal, but no help in a gun fight.

  The box lurched forward, landing hard on the floor. Sounded hollow. The train car. Good. He’d feel better once they left the station.

  Macy tried to shake off his hand. Slowly, he removed it. Her quick breaths filled the small space.

  “Train?” She whispered.

  “Yes.”

  Around them people moved in and out of the car. The sound of horse hooves shifting uneasily and Salim speaking softly to them were the only things they heard.

  It wasn’t long before the train pitched forward and they were on their way. Another few hours and they would be in Iran, then another six or so to the Strait of Hormuz.

  “We’re moving.” Macy said, relief in her voice.

  He shifted, getting more comfortable. Or, as comfortable as the small space allowed. “Gonna be a few more hours. But, for now, we’re safe.”

  “I wish I could see through the cracks. It’s awfully dark in here.”

  “Close your eyes and try to get some rest.”

  “Not much else to do, right?”

  “Right.”

  A few minutes later her breathing slowed and her body relaxed. Sleep would heal her body faster than anything else. Besides, she was right. Wasn’t anything else to do.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Hold tight. Sounds like we’re about to board the ship.”

  “Thank God.” Macy breathed. The first part of their journey was over. She’d managed to sleep for most of it, but now she itched to stretch her legs and be out of this box. In some morbid sense, it felt like a casket. She tried to keep that thought out of her head, but it kept creeping back in.

  The box jolted, lifted suddenly, and began moving at a fairly swift pace. She heard the sound of a loader, people shouting over the noise. Everything was happening to them, around them, and she could see none of it. With every movement of the trunk she tensed, waiting to see if someone opened the lid and discovered them. That was the worst part. Worse than the ache in her leg from being bent for so long.

  Add to that being stuffed in a tiny space with a man who smelled like sin and made her fantasize about the bath they’d taken together. Only in her fantasies Nate didn’t put her bed afterwards. He took her to bed and made love to her like there was no tomorrow.

  Nope. Not the time to go there. Nate put a barrier up last night. She’d all but thrown herself at him and he’d turned her down. Politely and like a gentleman because that was who he was, but dammit, she wanted him to put that side away and take her. Show her there was still a woman buried somewhere beneath the tattered surface. She was beginning to wonder if that woman would ever be allowed to surface.

  Or, if she existed anymore.

  She couldn’t sleep without having nightmares. Every sound made her jump. She was consistently looking over her shoulder. How did she get over that? How did she become a whole woman again?

  The loader jerked around a turn and started ascending. The wheels bumped over what sounded like wooden planks. Refusing to let her thoughts stray down a path that involved ships and planks, she started counting in her head. Anything to distract her from the nineteen-day journey ahead.

  It didn’t take long before they were set down and the loader faded into the background. But their bumpy travel wasn’t over. What felt like six men picked up the trunk and began walking with it, jostling them around inside. Macy bit down on her lip to keep from crying out when her wounded leg hit the side of the box.

  They were finally set down, not gently, and the footsteps and voices retreated. Afraid to breathe, Macy listened for signs of their location. Seconds later she heard the shuffle of horse hooves on the floor.

  “We’re on the ship.” Nate said quietly in her ear. “Shouldn’t be long now and we’ll be on our way home.”

  Home. She liked the sound of that. Not that she had any family waiting for her. She’d lost her parents long ago. But, Avery had become her family in college. More like a sister than a boss. They had shared an instant bond. Both passionate about saving the world. And books. And charities. Macy had often wondered if they had been born a couple decades too late. They would have made great hippies. They’d had more than one laugh over that. Neither one able to imagine themselves at Woodstock.

  God, she missed Avery. Her chest ached every time she thought of all they had lost, but life had given her sister back and for that she’d always be grateful.

  “Hey, you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Just getting a little stir crazy being locked in here for so long.”
<
br />   He gave her a reassuring squeeze. It helped. A little.

  Men’s voices grew louder as they approached. Macy couldn’t make out what they were saying but they didn’t sound happy. She thought she heard Salim’s voice, calm and steady, in the fray but couldn’t be sure.

  She felt Nate go rigid behind her. That made her own unease rise. “What’s going on?”

  Nate shifted ever so slightly so that her head no longer rested on his arm and he more or less covered her with his body. His weight felt good, but suffocating in the small space.

  “They want to check the trunks.” He said, low and tense.

  Not good. Not good at all.

  She knew Nate would protect her, but by the sounds of it he would be outnumbered and he had no weapons. Not good odds. If they found her…

  Something thumped on the lid and she jumped. If not for Nate’s hand clamping over her mouth she would have screamed. Her breath came in short pants, making her dizzy.

  For a few terrifying minutes, they waited for the lid to be opened, for them to discover their hiding place. By some small miracle the voices ceased and footsteps faded into the distance. Someone tapped a light beat on the lid that sounded like Morse Code to her. She’d heard it before. Now, she realized it was Salim because this time Nate tapped his fingers on the inside of the lid in response.

  “All clear.” Nate said quietly.

  Macy went limp. “Thank God. When can we get out of this box?”

  “Maybe during the trip. Salim will let us know.”

  He shifted again, getting more comfortable. He had to be miserable given his size. She barely fit and she wanted to break free.

  She did her best to stay still while they waited for the ship to leave the dock. Felt like hours before they finally started to move. Macy’s heart raced. It was happening. She was on her way home.

  Elation flowed through her, making her uncomfortable position more tolerable. All they had to do was make it a couple weeks on this boat and they’d be home free. Well, home anyway. She’d never be truly free until the bounty was lifted. And the hopes of that were zilch. She’d murdered a man in a foreign country. Her life would never be the same again. Looking over her shoulder would become the norm. The thought of that dampened her spirits. Did she really think she could go home and get her life back?