with her mom, doing what I brought her here for, catching up and soaking in what little time I could manage to give her with her family. The second I realized we were following Randolph here, I knew it was the perfect place to meet. I arranged it with Archer. The Donnellys were booked on the first charter to the islands from London.
“Fucking kills me. In my gut, I always thought what happened to her was some demented attempt to get back at me. I’m not blind to the fact I’ve made enemies through the years. Did my job the way it needed to be done and pissed people off along the way. Never thought it would come to this, though, and not to my Bella.”
“Not your fault, Dad,” Devon insists. “We’ll get the cocksuckers. No one messes with a Donnelly.”
Thorne runs a hand through his salted hair. “I’ve got a shitty feeling about this, Dev. Real bad. Doesn’t help my conscience that my baby girl has been on the run and taking risks to clear her own name.”
I’m not surprised he feels this way. I would too if it were Abbott. “Doesn’t matter, Thorne. She snuck into the U.S. and paid the price with a bullet. But we’re back on track. I swear I’ll keep her safe until we can clear her name.”
“You tell me what you need, Carson. I’m still on a case in Greece for the next month but I’m on leave for the next few days. I can nose around on my way back,” Archer offers.
“Wish like hell I could do something,” Thorne muses. “Outside of the walls of this boat, not sure who I can trust. Those I thought I could trust within the walls of Vauxhall are the ones trying to burn her at the stake. I know my Bella. She’s as tough as nails—got that from me—but she has her mum’s heart, pure gold. She’d go to any length to stop an attack like the one they’ve pinned on her. She damn sure wouldn’t help carry it out or keep it a secret.”
“Thorne,” Annie calls for her husband from where she’s parked on the sofa next to her daughter. “Quit talking shop and come sit with Bella.”
Archer and Devon obey and I’m about to follow when Thorne grabs me by the bicep. I turn back and he lowers his voice for only me to hear. “You need anything—call me. Money, resources … anything. I know for a fact our lines are still tapped—both Annie’s and mine. I don’t want to draw attention to ourselves and haven’t let on we know where she is. But Ollie knows how to get hold of Devon so you’ve got a direct line to me.”
“I’m good, Thorne. The people helping me work with Bella. They know she’s innocent and they don’t have to do anything by the book. Unfortunately, I do so it’s good they’re on our side.”
Thorne doesn’t look relieved. But he wouldn’t be since the establishment he used to be part of is the one he can no longer trust. Hell, even in my agency, I’m not sure who I can look in the eye and know they’re not dealing under the table to pull off some shady shit. Exhibit A—wanting Penn Simmons wiped from the face of the earth.
“The boys heard about you.” Thorne studies me. “The American their sister apparently tied herself to before all this went down.”
I give him a shrug. Winning over the Donnellys wasn’t at the top of my to-do list but it sure wouldn’t hurt my case with Bella. “I’m here and that’s not going to change. Bella knows what I want and what I’m willing to wait on, which is everything.”
He looks to his family and back to me. “She mentioned you have a daughter.”
“I do.”
His head bobs once methodically. “Then you know. Whoever your friends are who don’t have to play by the same rules you do, tell them to hurry their shit up. I want my family back. My wife and I want our daughter back. There’s nothing I won’t do for my family, but when I’m being tapped…” He shakes his head. “Feels like my bloody hands are tied. I’m counting on you.”
I look over at Bella and she’s smiling like I haven’t seen in a long time. “Don’t worry. I’m counting on me too.”
“Thorne.” Annie demands her husband’s attention again. “Please. We only have a short time.”
Thorne slaps me on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, love.