Chapter 36 Mila At around four in the afternoon, I showered the night from my skin, ignoring the flares of pleasure when I passed my fingers over sensitive areas, and replaced the bandages on my cuts. Then I dried my hair and returned to the bedroom to dress. With his head resting on his biceps, Convict watched me, his arm outstretched where I'd chained it to the bedframe. I had a gangster tied to my bed. I didn't know myself anymore. He took in my brisk movements around the bedroom, his relaxation dialling back to concern. "What are you doing?" I straightened my dusky lilac blouse, the sleeves long enough to cover my injuries but loose enough to reveal my whole arm if needed. "I'm going to the doctors to talk contraceptives." Any vestige of sleep fled his face. "Without me?" "Obviously. Considering it's your fault I need to go at all." "Don't. I'm begging you." I gave an easy shrug and left the room. "And have you intimidate the doctor into giving me sugar pills? Or to try to persuade me not to go at all? Hell, no. I'm not ready to be a mother. Don't let me coming at your stabby action suggest otherwise." His voice chased me down the hall. "Shit. I didn't. I don't want to be a father either. It was heat of the moment. Mila, come back." I slipped my feet into the kitten heels I'd usually wear to the office. Donning my workwear was purposeful. I needed to get back into my professional mindset and not the lunatic version I'd fallen into. "Damn it, Emilia. Don't make me break your bed after we spent all night wrecking your sheets. You were attacked last night. You need protection." "I'll look after myself. No one else is coming after me." "Yes, they could be. Fuck. I forgot to tell you about the explosion at the docks." I stilled my hand on the door lock and reversed my steps to the entrance to my room. "The what?" "Last night, Arran and I were at the harbour in Leith. I saw one of your boats moored up. It had the name Eden on the side. Right as I got the notification that you were out of the warehouse, the fucking thing blew up." My jaw dropped. In my haste to get ready, I'd ignored the messages pinging into my phone, assuming they were more of the usual from relatives. I snatched the device from my handbag and scrolled. Multiple people had sent me the same news headlines. He was right. The Eden had been destroyed. The lead photo showed a fireboat in the harbour, tackling the blaze. Orange flames scaled the black night. I knew the deck they devoured. I could picture my grandfather standing there, his smile broad over white bristles, his arms out ready for a hug. Shock and pain pierced me. "I don't believe it. I mean, I do, but... Shit." "Sweetheart, come here." I kicked off my shoes and padded over to the bed, sinking down next to Convict. He banded his arms around me, and I sank into the hug. "Eden was the pride of my grandfather's fleet. One of the biggest we owned." "What does the news say?" "An explosion of unknown origins tore through her then fire broke out. At two a.m., she sank." I set down my phone and stared into space. "You probably think it's ridiculous me being upset about a ship." "I don't." "It's just that my grandfather loved that vessel. Of all the inventory and routing work he gave me, he always reserved any task on the Eden for himself. It's like the sea has stolen one more piece of him." I earned a squeeze for my explanation. "It reminded you of how much you miss him. I get it." For a long moment, he just held me, lending me his strength until I regained my own. "Will you need to talk to the cops?" "No, though I'll try. There's a temporary management of all business assets in place by a caretaker function. They'll handle it. The relatives will still come to me, though. I'll have to draft a statement." I checked the time. "Later, though. I've got fifteen minutes until my appointment. It's only around the corner, but I hate being late." He lifted his arm. Rattled the handcuffs. With a sigh, I grabbed the key and unlocked him. "You're lucky I didn't tattoo that warning label on your dick while you slept." He leapt up and kissed me. "Like you need the reminder." Convict took a one-minute shower and was dressed more quickly than was reasonable. Men had it so easy. At the door, he linked his fingers in mine. "Swear to God I won't interfere with your appointment. I'll sit in the waiting room like a good boy." I twisted my lips but didn't have it in me to glower at him. Even if he deserved it. "You really think I'm in danger?" "A woman tried to stab you last night, someone used explosives to make a point, your grandmother is being manipulated by criminals, and there's a huge amount of money at stake. Yes, I do." I didn't argue when he put me in his car for the two-street trip. After my appointment, during which I informed the medic my implant had been removed and I wanted a new one immediately, and convincing them I wasn't crazy, I exited the office to find Convict waiting in the hall, one booted foot up against the wall. "They've got worse magazines than prison," he grouched then raised his phone. "Esther's mother is awake. Tyler said she was drunk out of her mind last night but is now ready to talk. Want to head to the warehouse?" In no way was I surprised that they'd captured the poor woman, though I hadn't been aware of it last night. I nodded, and we made tracks for the skeleton crew's headquarters. Once we were inside the warehouse, the crew member at the entrance opening the door with a nod of respect, I paused Convict. "Just so you know, I'm investigating Esther's death with help from the women in your crew." He stroked his thumb over my knuckles. "Anything I can do, let me know." "You're not going to tell me to stop?" His lips twisted in a patient expression. "I love you. I won't stop you doing anything. I'll just make sure you're protected while you do it." There was that love declaration again. So it wasn't a heat-of-passion thing. I wasn't touching that with a barge pole. I dropped his gaze and found my phone. Last night, Cassie had added Lovelyn and me to a chat group titled 'Skeleton Girls Detective Agency'. I messaged the group. Mila: Esther's mother is awake. Does anyone remember what she shouted at me in her attack last night? Lovelyn: She said you were supposed to be a golden ticket. That has been bugging me all night. Cassie: Me, too! My mind started pinging off with connections between Esther and Salter. Considering we can't find the rat bastard, maybe she can help. Wait, are you here? Mila: About to go into the management office. Cassie: I'll get out of bed and come down! Don't let anyone else talk to her. We'll do it ourselves. We arrived at the office, and I smiled at the image of her still being tucked up under her blankets. Convict's crew were night dwellers. Come to think of it, he'd seemed uncomfortable at being out in the daylight. He nudged me. "What are you grinning at?" "Are you a secret vampire?" He rolled his eyes. "As much as I love your blood, baby, I'd rather feast on your pussy than your throat." The door swung open, Tyler in the frame. His expression told us that he'd heard the last words said, but he did a stand-up job of not reacting. My cheeks flamed when we followed him into the room. "Cassie's on her way down," I told them. Tyler lifted his chin. "Figured she'd have an interest in this. I'm waiting on someone as well." He showed us the live feed on his tablet. Esther's mother sat on the edge of the bed, her mouth open and her fists tangled in the blanket beneath her. "She followed the cars from her flat. I was wrong to disregard her as an unlikely threat," Tyler said. He'd been the one to take her down, arriving out of nowhere only half a second behind her, though not fast enough to stop her from throwing the blade. He tapped the sound icon, and wailing filled the room. He tapped it again to silence her. "She's been like that ever since she woke. Screaming her head off." I traced my gaze over her features, recognising Esther's rounded cheekbones and querulous mouth. "I hate what she did, but being locked up must be horrible for her." "She's calling out for a drink more than freedom." "You didn't give her water? Isn't that a basic right for prisoners?" "Not that kind of drink. She has bottled water and food in the room but trashed both. That alcohol dependency will be useful for getting her to talk." Convict tugged me against him, and I guessed his thoughts. Her attack could've ended so differently. I hugged his arm around me. All the drama of last night had brought us closer. A minute later, and Cassie bounded into the room, her thick curls tied back in a barely contained ponytail and a skeleton crew bandanna around her throat. Then the door opened again and my brother entered. His gaze flicked to me, lingering on Convict's arm around my waist. "Mila." I smiled to see him. It faltered at what I had to say. "Did you hear about the Eden?" "That a boat?" "A ship. Our grandfather's favourite of the fleet." Kane's gaze shuttered in a way it always did when I referenced the family. "What about it?" "It was blown up last night. Convict saw it happen." He switched his focus to the man beside me. "Have a temper tantrum, did ye?" Convict curled his lip. "Still sore that you failed to protect Mila?" Kane's knuckles tightened. "If protecting her is important, try doing it without treating her like property." Convict's laugh was razor-edged. "Better than treating her like she's disposable, hey, brother?" Cassie perched on the huge black desk. "Boys, I swear to God. Whip them out and measure. It'll be faster." Both glowered, and she snickered a laugh. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ƒindNoᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then she picked up the tablet. "Mother Eavis has some explaining to do. Tyler, I assume there's still nothing on Salter?" He regarded Kane who gave a single and frustrated shake of his head. Cassie inclined hers. "Then that's our objective. Mila, are ye ready?" I recoiled. "You want me to help with an interrogation?" "Don't you? We aren't going to beat her up. Only persuade her to give us the information we need. Think of it as a business meeting. You're dressed for it." I swallowed bile. In my preparation for the auction, I'd considered how far I was willing to go to protect what I cared for. I'd spent the year going into new situations with new people, many of them viewing me with hostility as a management plant they didn't trust. I'd grown thick skin, but extracting information from prisoners pushed my limits. Then Convict's touch on my spine grounded me. I flashed a look at him. "Will you come?" "I'll be right there with you." Strangely, that was all I needed. "Let's do this thing." The three of us journeyed to the basement, and to a hall of rooms outside of the main floor where Convict and I had sealed our fate just a couple of weeks ago. In a small, locked room, Tracey Eavis, Esther's mother, rose from her bed. Her hands were cuffed together and linked to a chain on the wall. It rattled when she moved, giving a macabre addition to the stench of vomit and sweat. "It's about time. I've been calling and calling and nobody-" She spotted me, and her complaint shifted to a snarl. "You." I held up the vodka bottle we'd taken from the nightclub's stockroom. "My arm is feeling fine, thanks for asking. We have some questions for you." Her gaze followed the bottle. She lurched for me, the chains holding her back. "Give that to me, you stupid bitch." Cassie tutted and extended a hand. I passed her the bottle, and she stepped over to the corner where a bucket sat next to a drain. Then she unscrewed the lid and upended the bottle so the clear liquid poured out. That wail we'd heard over the CCTV filled our ears. "What did Jan Salter promise Esther for selling me out?" I shouted over the noise. Tracey spluttered. "Don't do it. Don't do it!" Cassie righted the bottle, and I repeated the question, gaining Tracey's attention this time. She blinked with reddened eyes. "Why the fuck should I tell you anything? You're the reason she's dead." Cassie tipped the bottle again, the alcohol glugging away down the pipes. "Stop. I'm begging you. Just give it over." "Then answer me." "He offered her a job," she spluttered. "A good one. Decent, honest work in managing the girls at the auction." That's what she meant by me being a golden ticket. "Girls they were selling?" She gave a shaky nod. "Why did he want Rhys Jacobs?" "Who?" Damn. I tried another approach. "Did Salter come to your flat?" She kept her gaze glued to the vodka. "Esther always went to his place." "And where is that?" She extended a hand. Her fingers shook. "The drink first." Cassie laughed and flicked the bottle to spill a couple of shots' worth. "You have to be kidding." "Fuck you, you stupid slut. You're a nasty bitch. Okay, okay. He does business from his office in Stanholm Yard. You'll never get him, though. Esther said there were so many escape routes. It's a rabbit warren. She never liked to stay long." I swapped a glance with Cassie and Convict, and both nodded. We were done. But Cassie gave one last parting word. "We've gone easy on ye today. I am not above ending the life of an old drunk because you've pissed me off. Say a word about being here or what we asked, and I'll drown ye in a fucking vat of the alcohol ye find so precious. Understand me?" Tracey nodded frantically and snatched for the bottle. She sucked down the vodka like she'd die without it. "Thanks for the information. I'm sorry about Esther," I murmured, my instinct to close out the meeting in the way I would at work, but she wasn't listening anymore. Outside, I breathed in a lungful of clean air. To Cassie, I said, "You're scary. I'm glad we're on the same team." The woman preened. "I aim to please." "In a way, you're right. That was like a board meeting. Just with more honest emotions. We got what we needed, right? Or as much as we could." Convict pressed a kiss to my hair. "You did good, little gangster." I had no excuse for the burst of pride his words gave me. Back at the office, Tyler and Kane had clearly listened in and had been joined by Arran, Shade, and Riordan. Someone had pulled up a map on a screen. They scrutinised it, phones in hands. "Can't find it on any of the industrial estates." My brother's usual scowl deepened. Arran swore. "I know this city like the back of my hand. But that name rings no bells." Cassie cleared her throat, plucked out her phone, and dialled a number, putting the call on loudspeaker. Lovelyn answered. "Hey!" "I'm calling in an official capacity of the Skeleton Girls Detective Agency." Lovelyn laughed. "Are you assigning us roles? Can I be the sassy hacker type? I make a mean spreadsheet." "Deal! Love that for us. How about starting by locating Stanholm Yard in Deadwater?" Cassie asked. Lovelyn made a sound of interest. "I've heard that name somewhere. Hold, please, caller." All gazes fell on Cassie's phone, then Lovelyn spoke again. "It came up in an informant interview about six months ago. I knew it was familiar. The location is the Scotsdale Trading Estate, the last plot. It used to be a pet food warehouse. Is that helpful?" Kane stared at the phone, Shade slapped Arran's chest, then they commenced a frantic discussion, all the men leaning in. Weapons appeared then vanished under clothes. Cassie tipped an imaginary hat. "You're literally the best researcher I ever met. Want to come by for breakfast?" Still on the line, Lovelyn laughed. "It's closer to dinnertime, but yes, why not." Cassie hung up and linked her arm through mine. "While the boys play, want to come up to mine? I can catch ye and Lovelyn up on Richard Yelland." I'd put the disgusting pervert who'd bought Becky in the auction to the back of my mind having passed all I'd learned over to the skeleton girls. "I'd love that. I have some work to do, though. Is that okay? The exploding ship needs to be handled." Cassie cocked her head. "Are you thinking it's somehow linked?" "I wasn't until this very second. Surely not." Yet Convict's words about all the threats around me circled back. I frowned and went to him. Convict took in his crew mobilising, his expression tortured. A dark light shone in his eyes. I touched his arm. "Are you going with them?" A muscle ticked in his jaw. "I won't leave you alone. Not after last night." I took his hand and led him down the corridor so we had privacy. Then I made him look at me. "My plan for the next few hours is to hang out with the girls and try to unpick some mysteries. I won't leave the warehouse, not because you've commanded it as I won't be treated like property, but because I choose to give you peace of mind while you work." His lips quirked. "You like it when I treat you as belonging to me." "Or maybe I need time away from you," I countered. "You want to join your crew and be useful. I can see it in how tightly you've clenched your jaw. Go. Trust that I'm good for my word." He studied me for a long minute, maybe reaching the same realisation I had. Without trust, we had nothing. And if we kept repeating the pinnacle we'd reached last night, we wouldn't survive it. Whether 'it' was fake or not. "How about a compromise? I'll work on the remote camera feeds and be the eyes in the sky for my crew. That'll take all my attention but I'll stay in the building, in the ops room down the hall." I was still annoyed, though much of it was an act. "So long as it gets you out of my hair, it's perfect." He reached for me. Palmed my cheek and kissed me hard. Then he joined the mission planning while Cassie and I got to work.