High Stakes Gamble

Chapter Twenty-One

Kai tried once again to chew a mouthful of food so he could take the pain pills he’d done without all day, because he’d foolishly left them behind in his hotel room.

In his case, it became a matter of lay down or fall down. He hated the weakness but there wasn’t a lot he could do about it. The injury on his arm didn’t bug him much but the deeper chest wound ached like a son-of-a-bitch.

He roused and went to his purse-like computer bag, slid his hands into the side pocket and pulled out his cuffs. He knew he’d brought them. Didn’t know why. While packing he’d almost left them out. Then thought what the heck and stuck them in there. Good! He’d be needing them tonight.

Next, he opened a package of his prescription sleeping tablets, crushed one between his fingers and added it to Aurora’s wine. Using his finger, he mixed the powder into the red depths. After that, he made a nice comfy nest for her with pillows and the top quilt.

He called the desk to make sure the car had arrived and then gave the order that the keys were to be given to him only. That his girlfriend had overly imbibed and she wouldn’t be safe behind the wheel. Smiling grimly, he knew that even with cuffs, his lady could make miracles happen.

His lady! God he wished that were true. He knew in his heart that he’d been given a pass right now. Because of the horrible circumstances, she’d use him to help find their daughter. But once they got Lily back to where things were normal again, he didn’t hold out much hope for a future.

Did he even deserve a future with her? After the way he had treated the most wonderful woman he’d ever had the good fortune to meet? Even he didn’t believe he did. In fact, in his heart he understood only one thing clearly. Number one—he’d treated her like shit and number two—he wasn’t good enough for her to wipe her feet on.

Having this opportunity to be in her company, to feel the goodness she radiated, the utter unconscious conviction she held of her power to succeed, and the femininity she ignored that was so ingrained and he’d grovel like a whipped pup if he thought it would help. It wouldn’t. The only help she’d accept from him would be to find their baby. The baby he’d promised only the day before that he’d give his life to keep her safe.

The shakes started deep inside and he looked around wildly. What the f*ck am I doing here when she needs me? Stumbling with emotions, he fell to the side of the bed, landing awkwardly. The burning fury in his chest reminded him instantly why he had agreed to have this rest.

God knew—he needed it. A sick smile formed and he reiterated his last thought. He needed it if he wanted to be able to help with the investigation tomorrow.

Steam escaped as soon as Aurora stepped out from the bathroom. She’d redressed in her clothes and turbaned a towel around her head. The lack of any makeup left her looking childlike and vulnerable—and heartbreakingly beautiful.

His breath caught and he gripped his hands together to stop them from reaching.

“Thanks for leaving the shampoo in the tub. I’d forgotten about it until I’d stepped under the water.” She hadn’t looked directly at him and he knew from the swelling around her eyes why.

Coaxing, he patted the bed opposite his. “Just come and drink the rest of your wine. If you don’t mind, would you tell me more about Lily?” He hoped the chance of talking about the baby would be a sufficient bribe for her to do as he asked.

Aurora whipped the towel off and used it to dry her hair more and then used her fingers until Kai pointed at his brush. She pulled it through her long strands, and flipped them towards her back. Then she stepped over to sit on her bed and took the glass her offered her.

They both sipped until she finally let her glance meet his. The raw agony he recognized—accepted. It was the impatience he feared.

“What does she do that you most love?” He began the questions.

“She tries to talk. I mean, I know all babies goo and giggle, but Lily is different.” A self-conscious smile appeared so he nodded, encouraging her to continue. “Okay, I know it sounds silly, but I swear when I ask her questions, she yatters on in her own language answering me. It’s hilarious and cute as hell.”

“I’ll try it with her myself and see if it only works for you.” Kai hoped his reference to the future let her know he wouldn’t stop until they had Lily back safe and sound.

Nodding, she seemed to understand. “Her worst habit is sucking her thumb. No matter how much I try and stop her, she just grins and pops it back in whenever she wants, especially while she sleeps.”

Remorse grabbed hold, tightening the muscles of his stomach. “Oh boy! Guess in one area she takes after her old man.” He felt the heat in his cheeks before he saw her eyes focus and narrow.

“Figures!”

One word from her and he’d have given anything to be able to retract the comment. Unfortunately, his mother had scads of proof in all the baby pictures she loved to share.

He grinned, couldn’t help himself and then held up his glass and drained it. She did the same. When she reached to put the glass on the bedside table, he moved fast and had the cuff linked around her wrist and the other around the post.

“You bastard!”

“Sorry, Darlin’. I really am. But you need to rest before you pass out and so do I. Cory or Ham will call if there’s any break. Until then, we need to use common sense.”

“Just shut up. How the hell do you expect me to rest when Lily needs me? You’re insane.”

“No. Listen. They aren’t crazy enough to harm a very expensive commodity. Those babies represent a great deal of profit. You know that Ray, your IT guy, inveigled himself onto their website as a potential buyer for a white baby and the price quoted was five hundred thousand for certain characteristics, hair color, eye color, etc.”

“How come I didn’t know?” Obviously, her interest superseded her anger.

“Cory told us. In the car. Guess you didn’t hear the first part of our conversation.” My poor, poor darling.

He leaned back on his hands to stop himself from reaching for her. The love blistering inside made it one of the toughest things he’d ever had to do.

“In other words, you figure the babies are safe because of their worth. What a f*cking sick world!”

“Yeah! They’re safe and still in Vegas. Now all we have to do is find them and with all the departments looking, it’s just a matter of time. Now sleep. We’ll need to be ready.”

He turned the light down and settled himself back against the pillow. The sigh that escaped held a quivering note and he’d have given anything to draw it back.

Instead he listened and heard Aurora lay back. Now he could rest. Sleep hit him fast. He slipped deep at first and then deeper, right into hell.