CHAPTER 84: NICK’S PLAN (2)

Nick’s POV

"Well..." I began, my voice lower than usual—partly because I was trying hard not to look down.

Because right there—inches from my mouth—were her breasts, sumptuous and perfect, teasing me like they knew what they were doing. My hands were itching to touch them.

Fuck.

I tried to keep my eyes locked on her face, but even that wasn’t safe. Her lips were parted, her skin flushed, her eyes glowing with interest... curiosity... seduction.

Nope. Bad idea.

So, I focused on her hair. Just her damn hair. Yeah... that’s better. Neutral. Safe. Sort of.

"Oliver said that just paying off your debt and the penalty from breaching the contract wouldn’t be enough," I said slowly, grounding myself in strategy, in facts—anything but her. "Marrying me wouldn’t be enough to keep Raymond away, either. That bastard would always find a reason to haunt you, to meddle."

I took a breath, my pulse pounding.

"So, we thought—we have to end his leverage. And since they were using power, money, and fear to control you... I decided to fight fire with fire. If they want to play dirty... I can go darker."

Her eyes lit up, intrigued.

"I needed proof. Real, solid, undeniable evidence of what he’s capable of. Something to burn them with. But I couldn’t get it myself without raising suspicion."

I smirked, leaning in just a little closer.

"So I did the next best thing... I gave someone else the matchstick, just right back in my ship."

"Sarah," Georgia said flatly.

I froze. "Wait... how did you—?"

"She’s obsessed with you," she said casually, like it was common knowledge. "Women like that don’t need convincing to do something reckless. I’ve had my suspicions since the port authorities learned about me. That kind of tip-off? Only someone inside would do such a thing."

She tilted her head as if studying me. "So... how’d you feed her the bait?"

Before I could answer, she started playing with my hair—gentle strokes, fingers curling at my nape, tugging lightly.

God. Damn.

She was killing me—teasing me with affection while I was trying to confess a calculated trap that could end everything... or save us both.

Her legs were still wrapped around me, her heat pressed against mine, and I could barely think straight.

"I... left breadcrumbs," I muttered, struggling to concentrate with her hands threading through me. "Just enough to make her curious. I knew she couldn’t resist. I wanted her to take the bait. And she did. Exactly when I needed her to."

I looked up, meeting her gaze, my voice thick with emotion. "Everything I did, Georgia... it was to protect you."

Even if it meant using someone else’s obsession to destroy a threat.

Even if it meant putting myself at risk.

Even if it meant... losing her.

"I used the satellite phone," I admitted, my voice low, brushing against her skin as she leaned in closer, still straddling me. "Texted her. Told her I didn’t have anyone else’s number memorized but hers... played desperate. Like I needed her."

I could feel Georgia’s breath on my neck, her fingers tracing lazy, seductive circles on my shoulder, but I pushed through, trying to stay focused.

"I said the battery was dying fast... that she needed to pass on everything I said to Steven. Then I fed her the coordinates—ones Vicky gave me. It was perfect because Sarah didn’t know my sat phone was an old model... didn’t have GPS capabilities. But I made it sound urgent, believable."

I looked at Georgia, searching her face. "And then I told her you were with me."

Her eyes flickered.

"I knew that’d trigger her," I continued. "The idea of us stranded together? That you were sleeping beside me? Touching me? It’d push her over the edge. No way she’d sit still after that. I was counting on her jealousy to drive her straight to the port authorities."

Georgia’s lips parted, either impressed or shocked—I couldn’t tell. But I kept going.

"Vicky said Raymond was still actively searching. So once Sarah passed that info to the right people, I was sure it’d find its way back to him. And if he thought you needed rescuing, he’d move. Fast."

"But I didn’t stop there," I added, gripping her hips, grounding myself with the feel of her against me. "I needed him rattled, reactive. So I made sure he heard about the wedding. Vicky and Liam spread the word in our circles—they told everyone they were attending a ceremony here on the island. Your name. My name. Made sure it reached the right ears."

Her eyes widened slightly, but I wasn’t done.

"Then, as if fate was on our side... Raymond’s stepbrother invited Liam to a business event. Liam turned it down, told him why. Our wedding. Our names. And just like we planned, that little bomb dropped right into Raymond’s lap."

I exhaled, slowly. "And it worked. He came—guns, men, and fury in tow."

Georgia blinked, stunned. Her fingers stilled in my hair.

I wasn’t sure if she was about to slap me... or kiss me.

But either way, I’d take it. Because she was still here. Still with me.

And that gave me just a little more time to win her heart... before the storm I created finally caught up to us both.

"Wow... that was very sneaky, Captain." Georgia grinned, her voice filled with amusement, but also admiration. "That whole setup felt like something out of an action movie. You sure you’re not moonlighting as a screenwriter?"

I stared at her, a bit thrown off. "That’s it? You’re... not mad or anything?"

She tilted her head, her smile softening. "Why would I be angry? Like you said, you did all of it to protect me. I’m not about to bite the hand that shielded me from the fire."

Then she cupped my face, gently, like I was someone important to her and fragile. Breakable. And for a moment... I actually felt like I was.

"Listen to me, Captain Nicholas Knight," she whispered, her eyes locking on mine with that fierce tenderness only she could pull off. "Just because you didn’t tell me everything doesn’t mean I’ll go flying into a rage. You did what you thought was right. And guess what? You were right."

Her thumb brushed across my cheekbone, slow and sure. "You outsmarted them all—for me. And I wouldn’t have even thought of a tenth of what you pulled off. That’s not something I’m mad about. That’s something I’m grateful for."

I swear—my breath hitched. My entire chest tightened like I’d been sucker punched with affection. It felt so real.

Because in that second, she didn’t just trust me—she chose me.

Damn.

I felt like my heart skipped a beat. And then just... stopped altogether.

Georgia wasn’t just beside me. She believed in me.

And I knew then—I would burn down the whole damn world if it meant keeping her safe in my arms.