“We may have a problem.”

Blaise’s call to Nick early the next morning did not portend good things. “What’s up?”

“The governor just called Jack to tell him that there is a high terrorist alert for a meeting that’s going on in the capitol and he needs the Saints to provide added security and intelligence. Normally that’s not a problem, but it’s going to pull some of us away from assisting you and covering my sister—”

“It’s no problem,” Nick assured in haste. “I’ve got Bayley covered.”

If Blaise wondered about Nick’s words and the possible double meaning, he did not let on. “I know you do and I appreciate it. Her apartment and shop are all wired in and we’ll be monitoring it round the clock. I’m beating myself up that I had not upgraded her places before a problem happened—”

“This is not your fault, man,” Nick said. “But I know how you feel…just like I do about taking her phone and leaving her with nothing to call with when she needed it.”

“Well, I’m on my game again,” Blaise assured. “But Jack just wanted me to let you know that our resources will be strained for a few days.”

“No problem. I’ve got this,” Nick replied. “I’ll protect her with my life.” The unplanned words rolled off his tongue easily, surprising himself, but he immediately recognized they were true.

“I owe you, man,” Blaise said.

“No debt,” Nick promised. “She’ll want to hear from you so make sure to keep in touch. I’ll get her settled back into her place and won’t leave until she’s comfortable with the security set-up. I’ll also make sure she’s escorted to and from work until we have a better handle on Johan and where the threat is coming from.”

Disconnecting, he heard a noise from the bathroom and, with a quick glance at his clock, he knew Bayley was up early. The sound of off-key singing hit his ears and he thought of how quiet the apartment would feel with her gone. That thought did not settle well.

Stepping out of his room after getting dressed, he moved toward the kitchen, but his attention was captured by the hall bathroom. Flipping on the light, he stared at the pristinely clean room. No wet towels. No makeup, bottles, hair items. It was as though she had never been there and he rubbed his chest, right over his heart, absentmindedly easing an ache. He told himself, this should be good. My space back to being my own again. But it was harder to convince his heart of the thoughts he was forcing into his mind.

Nick and Bayley first went to her house to drop off Mr. Lickers and Nick went through the added security system. Once at Bayley’s Books, he acquainted her with the upgraded security, not leaving until he was certain she knew the codes and was comfortable with the system.

“I’ll pick you up again this afternoon,” he promised, hating that there would not be a Saint in her store today.

“You don’t have to, you know,” she replied, pleased that he offered.

“You don’t have your car here and I want to assure myself of you getting home all right…at least until you’re more familiar with the security.”

“I accept your gallant offer,” she smiled. Leaning up on her toes, she kissed his cheek, immediately noting the warm tingle that traveled through her lips, causing a faint gasp to slip out.

His breath caught in his throat as her lips touched his skin. Reaching out, he pulled her in, carefully observing to see if she objected. His unspoken question was answered by her wrapping her arms around his neck. Standing in the middle of her shop, they held each other. No words. Only the feel of bodies pressed tightly. Pulling away slightly, he kissed her forehead as he slowly stepped back.

“See you later,” he whispered against her ear.

Smiling, she squeezed his arms before letting him walk out of her store. “Whoaaa,” she breathed, her heart pounding. With a squeal, she twirled around several times before settling in to work.

Stepping into the room, she swept her hard gaze around, unsmiling as she quickly took in the state of the girls sitting on their beds. The six women, wide-eyes nervously staring at Chessa, all stood quickly. A stale odor permeated the space and more than one of them wavered as though close to fainting.

Chessa moved forward, nodding at their acquiescence, and walked closer. Approaching the first girl, a tall blonde, she eyed her up and down. “Are you eating?” she asked, her words clipped.

Swallowing deeply, the girl said, “Yes. Uh…yes, ma’am.”

“Good,” Chessa acknowledged. “You were too thin. Men want women with some meat on their bones.”

Moving to the next girl, a petite brunette, she narrowed her eyes. “That is unless they want more of a child…and you, my dear, will do nicely for them.”

The girl blinked back her tears, her hands shaking as they clutched her shirt.

Stepping down the line, Chessa checked each girl before stopping at the last one in line. “Amy,” she said. “Our newest one.”

Amy held Chessa’s gaze, asking, “What are you going to do with us? You can’t keep us here, you know. There are people looking for us, they’ll find—”

A slap resounded in the small room as Chessa’s hand made contact with Amy’s cheek. Leaning close to the tearful woman, she said, “You will learn respect. You will not question me. You are here to do what I tell you, when I tell you.”

Walking backwards, she stopped at the door and said, “You all have been given the okay by our doctor to begin working soon. We have a few girls that will be shipped out and as soon as their rooms are vacated, you will fill those positions.”

As she left, she shut and locked the door. The six women sat back on the mattresses in unison, each shaking as tears slipped down their cheeks.

Amy looked to the others, her voice quaking as she asked, “Are we staying here or will they ship us out too?”

“Who knows,” Bette, the tall blonde, replied. “All of us have only been here a few days.”

Amy’s insides quivered as she said, “I saw something about this on the inside of a bathroom door. I never…never.”

“Saw what?” Selena, the petite brunette asked, as she moved to the sink and wet a cloth. Walking back, she placed it on Amy’s red cheek.

“A warning about human trafficking,” Amy said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I was trying to watch my drink but someone must have messed with it. I was at a club and then? I have no idea until I woke up here.”

The women were silent, each pondering their fate.

“Nicholas Stone? I’m afraid I have bad news.”

“Who is this?” Nick answered curtly, anxiety spearing through him.

“This is Doctor Marsden, from the Sevier County Memorial Hospital. Bernard Stone, who we have listed as your great-uncle, was brought into the emergency room last night after a 9-1-1 call was placed. He collapsed outside his apartment. He had a heart attack and is here now. He is stable, but we’ve had to operate to get him there. You’re listed on his doctor’s records as being the only kin and point of contact.”

Nick sucked in air, choking on the thickness of emotion. “Yes, that’s right. I’m his only relative.” And he’s my only relative. Rubbing his brow, he added, “It’ll take me about an hour to settle things at my job and another hour to get home to pack a bag. I can drive and be there in about another six hours.” Glancing at his watch, he said, “I can be there by seven o’clock tonight.”

“That’s fine. I’ll call this number if there are any changes.”

Disconnecting, Nick leaned heavily in his chair. Great-Uncle Bernard. Bernard Stone. Marine Sergeant Bernie Stone. No matter what name he went by, his great-uncle was a tough man. A heart attack. Never thought that would take the ol’ cuss down. Thinking of what all he needed to do, his first thought rushed to Bayley, knowing the timing sucked.

Frustration poured through his veins as he called her cell phone, wondering how to make sure she was protected with him gone.

“Hey, Nick,” her sweet voice answered. “What’s shaking?”

“Bayley, I’ve got a major situation. Just when the Saints are stretched thin, I got a call about my great-uncle. He’s had a heart attack and I’m his only living relative—”

“Oh, no! I’m so sorry! What can I do?”

Her concern washed over his tangled thoughts and he closed his eyes, relishing in her words. “There’s nothing you need to do, but I’m desperate to know that you’ll be safe while I’m gone to Tennessee for a few days. I need to be at the hospital, make sure everything is being taken care of, and check with his living quarters to make sure they’ll be able to take care of him if…when…he’s discharged.”

Bayley’s heart skipped a beat just as his words stumbled. This man who had offered her all his strength, needed her now. “When do you need to leave?”

Rubbing his head once more, trying to still the headache creeping in, he replied, “I’ll need an hour here and then an hour at home to pack a bag. I should be ready to leave about one p.m.”

“That’s fine. I can be ready by then.”

Nick blinked, uncertain of her meaning. “Ready? You don’t have to see me off, but I was going to drive by your shop to see you before I left. I just need time here to talk to my superiors and get someone else to watch you, as well as call Jack.”

“You don’t need to come by the shop. Just come by my apartment to pick me up since I’m on your way to the highway.”

“Bayley, I don’t understand. Are you leaving the store to go home early today?” A soft laugh met his ears, gentling his spirit.

“Nick, I’m coming with you. I’m not going to let you go through this alone.”

For a second, he was not sure he had heard her correctly, but she kept talking.

“I can get Daphne and my other employees to run the shop while we’re gone. I’ll leave now and that’ll give me time to get Mr. Lickers to Blaise’s house. He loves animals and Grace’ll take care of him while Blaise is working. Then I can run back and you can pick me up at my apartment.”

The phone line was silent as Nick’s heart pounded, her words finally sinking in. “Bayley, you don’t have to do this—”

“Nick,” she interrupted. “ ‘Never do anything yourself that others can do for you.’ ”

“Another Agatha Christie quote?” he asked, his headache easing slightly.

Laughing, she admitted, “Of course. Let me come with you, Nick. If I stay, I’ll just be here being worried. I promise I won’t get in your way. You won’t even notice me.”

Now it was his turn to laugh, knowing there was no way he would not notice her. He debated for a moment—taking her would keep her safe and away from anyone here trying to get to her. But Richard will not be in favor of this decision. Sighing heavily, he realized how much he wanted her with him. I won’t have to worry about her. I can be with her. She’ll make whatever I find out a little easier to face. All selfish reasons. “Okay, Bayley…you’re going with me—”

“Yay!” she gushed. “Thank God you’re letting me go. I’d be worried sick about you if I wasn’t there. I know it won’t be a fun road trip by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ll feel better being with you.”

Once more, her words soothed over him. “Listen, I’ve got to go take care of things on my end. Do what you have to do, but when you talk to Daphne, tell her under no circumstances is she to discuss with anyone—and I mean anyone—about where you are.”

“Got it, bossman,” she agreed.

Feeling lighter, he disconnected. Knowing he had to face the inevitable, he called Harlan to let him know what was happening.

Questions danced in her head, but Bayley refused to give them a voice.

She wanted to ask why he was the only relative for his great-uncle. She wanted to ask why his family pictures ended at age eight. She wanted to know everything, but shooting a glance sideways, the tension radiating off him was almost tangible. Turning her attention to the vista out the window, she let her mind slide to the past.

“I love the mountains, don’t you? I grew up here and we used to go hiking all the time. Dad was big on camping and hiking. He used to quiz us as we went along about the various trees and plants. Not in a bad way, of course, but he’d teach us and then wanted to make sure we appreciated the various aspects of the nature around us.” Snickering, she added, “Blaise was always more interested in the animals we came across. And by the time I was a teenager, I just wanted to check out any boys that happened to be hiking at the same time. Poor Dad…I think I frustrated him terribly.”

They had just crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains on their way toward Highway 81, which would take them all the way to Tennessee.

Silence.

Bayley shifted her gaze toward Nick driving his SUV, his eyes forward on the road, but she could tell his mind was a million miles away. Unsure if she should question his thoughts, she quieted.

Nick looked over a few minutes later, a crease appearing on his forehead. “Why’d you stop talking?”

“I didn’t think you were listening.” Shrugging, she added, “It’s okay. I know you have a lot on your mind.”

“No, no,” he protested. “I like hearing you talk.”

A laugh snorted from her as she said, “Now you’re just being nice.”

He reached over and placed his right hand over hers, giving a little squeeze. “No, really. I like it. You’re full of…I don’t know…interesting things to say.”

“I just don’t want life to pass me by. Agatha Christie’s character, Miss Marple, once said ‘Life will not pass her by. Strange and exciting events will surround her.’ I always thought she was describing me.”

Chuckling, Nick nodded. “I agree…it sounds like you.” An easy silence filled the vehicle as the wheels churned down the road. When he spoke again, it was whisper soft, “And so different from me.”

Bayley looked over, seeing the faraway expression in his eyes as they stared straight ahead once more and she turned to look out her window, the Virginia farmland passing by. And it was her turn to whisper into the silence. “Miss Marple also says, ‘Everybody is very much alike, really. But, fortunately, perhaps, they don’t realize it.’”