“Doyle,” I said.
“Aspen Chandler,” he replied.
Ah, someone had gotten busy in the time since I called him.
Doyle jerked his head toward the box. “Show me.”
I flicked open the lid, and Liam aimed the light.
Doyle’s face changed—filling with eagerness, and a hungry light that made me feel edgier. It was a look that bordered on obsession.
“The diamonds,” he breathed.
“From the Great Mogul Diamond,” Liam said.
Doyle’s head jerked up. “You know?”
Liam nodded. “Yes.”
“Finally, after so many years,” Doyle said.
I cocked my head. “What do you mean?”
“My real name isn’t Kristoff Doyle. I was born Kristoff Flegenheimer.”
I gasped. “The same surname as Dutch Schultz.”
“His father and my great-grandfather were brothers—Israel and Moses. They were diamond dealers in Germany. They made a huge find with the Mogul. Then Israel stole it, killed my great-grandfather, and escaped to the USA.” Anger flashed on Doyle’s face. “And my side of the family was plunged into poverty, while Israel’s son turned to crime, and lived a lavish lifestyle. He also cut up the Mogul.” Doyle spat the words and looked at the diamonds. “Now, I’m reclaiming what’s mine.”
“You’re a thief too,” I said angrily. “You’ve destroyed lives. You’re no better than Dutch.”
“Shut up!” Doyle shoved Jake forward and the man fell to his knees.
“Aspen. Liam.” Boone’s quiet murmur in our ears. “He’s got people with him. They’re around the perimeter. They’re moving, but I can’t see what they’re up to.”
Shit. I bit my tongue.
“Where are the photos?” Liam demanded.
Doyle tossed a large, yellow envelope on the ground. “There’s a USB drive inside, as well.”
Liam stared, his jaw hard. “Are all of them in there?”
“Yes.” Doyle’s smile was sharp. “You’ll have to trust me on that, Mr. Kensington.” He looked back at me. “Now give me the box, Ms. Chandler.”
I held it out. I didn’t want to, but I’d have to trust that Boone would nab Doyle on the way out.
Doyle flipped the lid closed. “I’d say it’s been a pleasure doing business with you, but it hasn’t.” He touched his own ear. “Now.”
My pulse went crazy. What the hell was he doing? “Doyle—”
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
The building vibrated, and dust rained down on us. Then the walls exploded.
Oh, fuck. I ducked. Liam threw himself over me.
We crouched on the floor. I looked up and saw Doyle disappear into the darkness.
“They’ve detonated explosives!” Boone sounded like he was running. “Get out!”
“Doyle’s on the move.” I had to stop him.
Liam rose and snatched up the envelope with the photos.
“Help Jake,” I cried.
With a nod, Liam grabbed the man’s arm. I smelled smoke, and watched as flames licked up the walls.
We all jogged together, the smoke thickening. I coughed.
“Go. Go.” I pushed Jake and Liam ahead of me.
There was a loud crack from above, followed by the groan of wood.
I looked up. No.
I shoved Liam hard. He stumbled forward, Jake falling with him.
Beams crashed down around us, flames crackling along them.
The burning debris had fallen between us. Cutting me off.
I stared across the flames at Liam.
“Aspen!” he roared.
“Get Jake out. I’ll find another way.”
Liam cursed. “Get your ass out, Aspen. Or I’ll come back to find you.”
18
I’m a Catch
Liam
Liam kept his arm clamped around Jake, hauling the man forward. More beams crashed to the concrete floor, and the smoke thickened.
Jake coughed, hacking loudly.
“Hang in there,” Liam said.
God, all he could think about was Aspen. She was trapped back there.
He had to get to her, but first he had to get Jake out.
There was more smoke—thick, oily, and black. Liam coughed. The ceiling crashed down to their left. Shit.
He spun Jake away. Then felt stinging on his arms and chest, and saw the fabric of his clothes burning. He slapped at it.
I…can’t…” Jake wheezed.
“Come on, Jake. Think of Erica.”
The man stiffened, then nodded.
They stumbled onward, and finally Liam saw a door ahead.
He flung it open. Someone rushed at them, and Liam tensed. But he quickly recognized Boone’s rugged form.
“Help me with him,” Liam barked.
The man got on the other side of Jake and together they hauled him out.
Fresh night air smacked Liam in the face.
So good. Boone helped Jake sit on the curb as Liam bent over and coughed. He breathed in more air.
“I’m going back for Aspen. Did you stop Doyle?”
Boone scowled. “I didn’t see him come out.” Boone looked up at the warehouse. “I neutralized the guys outside. They set the charges.”
Fuck, maybe Doyle got trapped inside. Liam stabbed a finger at Jake. “Stay with him.”
“Kensington, it’s a death sentence to go back in there.”
Somewhere on the upper levels, windows shattered. Liam scanned the burning building then met Boone’s dark gaze.
“I’m not fucking losing her.”
“Here.” Boone shoved some fabric at Liam.
It was a black neckerchief.
Liam quickly tied it over his mouth.
“Don’t get killed, Kensington,” Boone growled.
With a nod, Liam raced back into the warehouse.
It was like hell on Earth. Flames and smoke filled the space. He crouched down and ran deeper into the building, back toward where he’d last seen her.
Come on, Aspen.
He couldn’t lose her. He was obsessed. In lust. Falling in love. All of it.
In the blink of an eye, she’d become so damn important to him. She’d woken him up.
No, he wouldn’t lose her.
The heat intensified, but Liam pushed on.
He had to find his woman.
Aspen
Coughs wracked me. My chest hurt so badly.
I dropped to my hands and knees and found the air slightly clearer by the floor. I dragged in a breath and started crawling.
How the hell would I get out of here?
I coughed again. I really needed to find an exit.
I saw movement and turned. There.
Oh, God, it was Doyle. He was backlit by the flames behind him.
I pushed myself to my feet. “You have nowhere to go, Doyle.”
He spun, the lockbox clutched under his arm. His clothes were covered in soot.
“Aspen!” Liam’s voice came through my earpiece. “Where are you?”
I didn’t respond, I just prayed he was outside. Safe.
Doyle smiled at me. “It’s poetic if we die here together, Aspen Chandler.”
I frowned.
“When I looked you up, I recognized your father’s name. He was one of my first jobs. It was so ridiculously easy to lure him into stealing from his clients.”