Page 24 of Hunted Hearts (Black Heart Security #6)

When Theo spoke again, his voice was like flint. “If we’re doing this, we need to start pulling strings now. Security. Intel. Logistics. And Juliette doesn’t hear a word until we’re ready. No need to put more weight on her shoulders yet.”

He saw a few nods, though the thought of keeping her in the dark made something twist in his gut. He wanted to tell her, to pull her close and let her know they had a plan. But the truth was, until they locked every detail down, she was safer not knowing.

Oaks tapped the map, his finger landing on Romania. “This is where we start flipping over rocks—in the orphanage. It’s the hub. We cut the head off there, the rest unravels fast.”

Theo straightened to his full height. The worry that had been coiling tighter and tighter in his chest until it finally solidified into something cold and sharp.

“Then let’s get to work.” Every syllable carried the weight of what was coming.

As his brothers started dividing tasks—Denver barking out instructions, Colt already pulling up secure lines for contacts overseas—Theo moved to the window, staring out at the snowflakes drifting down across the ranch.

The yard was quiet now. No more glow of the bonfire. The only movement was the sway of the pine boughs in the wind.

He’d seen a lot of storms in his life, some worse than others. But the one bearing down on them now? This wasn’t weather. This would be a goddamn reckoning.

In the center of it all, Juliette, the woman he would stop at nothing to keep safe. If he had his way, she’d be encased in bulletproof glass.

And Theo had no intention of showing mercy.

* * * * *

Juliette drew her bow across the strings, coaxing a soft, longing note from her violin. The sound echoed through the library’s high ceilings and off the warm wood-paneled walls, wrapping her like a blanket she hadn’t known she needed.

She’d missed this. Missed the feel of the strings under her fingertips, the whisper of the bow that resonated through her fingers into her own soul. Music had always been her refuge—until everything changed.

Until danger chased her into hiding.

Now she found herself reconnecting with her roots, standing in a pool of sunlight streaming in through the tall windows. She closed her eyes and let herself melt into the music.

Note after note sang from her heart, not her hands. She didn’t play for an audience. She played for herself. For the girl who learned to speak through music. For the woman now caught between who she used to be…and who she was becoming.

Juliette knew she was changing—or maybe this was always who she was meant to be and she was never forced out of her comfort zone so she was able to grow.

She finished on a drawn-out, aching note and let it hang in the silence. Then she lowered the violin and turned—

And nearly dropped it.

Five Malones stood frozen in the hallway, the men broad-shouldered and muscular, and the women tucked between their big bodies, all staring at her like they’d stumbled across a ghost or a miracle.

Theo stepped forward first, a soft smile playing around his hard lips. The tenderness lingering in his eyes sent a shiver of pleasure through Juliette.

“You sounded incredible.”

His brothers Colt and Gray stood behind him, hands in pockets, sheepish expressions on their rugged faces like they’d been caught stealing cookies instead of eavesdropping on her private concert.

But Aspen and Layne beamed at her with twin looks of awe. She’d seen people look at her that way plenty of times, but seeing it from these women meant so much to her.

“We didn’t mean to interrupt,” Theo added, clearly trying not to smile.

Juliette laughed softly, clutching her violin close. “You didn’t. Honestly, I’m glad you were here to enjoy it. I’ve missed this so much.”

“You have amazing talent,” Colt said gruffly. “Wouldn’t mind hearing you again sometime.”

“Name the day,” she said with a bright smile.

And in that moment, standing in jeans and a simple sweater instead of a ballgown, with her hair in a messy twist, she felt something she hadn’t in a long time—pride. Not just in her skill, but in her ability to move people.

To make something beautiful in the middle of the chaos.

Theo crossed to her, brushing a knuckle down her arm. “Come on. We’ve got a plan to talk about. But don’t be surprised if you’re asked for an encore later.”

He gently took her hand, curling his fingers around hers. “Come with me.”

“Where?”

“The war room.”

The words sounded terrifying. It made her think of her great-grandmother playing to orphans during an air raid.

Juliette laced her fingers with his. The warmth of his palm steadied her.

As they moved through the wide hallway toward the part of the ranch house where the security office was located, she stole a glance at her lover’s profile. Tension rode along the angles of his jaw, and his shoulders looked heavier than they had earlier.

The others fell into step behind her.

“What’s going on?” she asked, her voice low.

“We’re ready to bring you in on everything.”

Her pulse kicked hard. She clutched the memory of the music in her bones and held fast to the steady rhythm of his footfalls beside her.

When he opened the double doors to the war room, more of the family was already there—Denver, Carson and Willow. The table was scattered with printouts and scribbled notes.

It looked more like a military ops center than the ranch she had come to adore.

She froze in the doorway.

Theo gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’re safe. We’ve got you.”

That word— safe —was starting to mean something different when he said it.

He pulled out a chair for her. She sat, folding her hands tightly in her lap as the room quieted.

Theo rested his elbows on the table and drew a deep breath as he took the lead. “We need to discuss the charity.”

She gulped and nodded.

“They aren’t on the right side of the law, Juliette.”

“What do you mean?”

“The orphans you saw in that photo, the ones picked up in port, aren’t the only ones involved. The charity isn’t facilitating adoptions. They’re selling the kids to families.”

Her hand fluttered to her chest and rested there, still, as if the music of her heart had stopped.

“I’m sorry to break the news to you,” he said gently.

She shook her head. “No. I’m glad you did. So what happens now?”

“Our plan is to draw out the people behind the trafficking. And that involves you.”

She sucked in a gasp of surprise.

Theo’s hand landed gently on her thigh under the table, grounding her. “Which means we need to handle this very carefully.”

Juliette released a wavering sigh. “I want to help. Tell me what I can do.”

From the end of the table, Willow’s expression resonated with concern. “Are you sure she’s up for this, Theo? There has to be another way.”

He started to answer his sister, but Juliette cut across him. “No. I want to do what I can. The charity is after me. I’m the reason you’re even gathered here making a plan. Whatever I can do to bring them down…I’ll do it.”

The Malones would keep her safe. Again, she felt the meaning of that word to the pit of her stomach.

Theo nodded. “We want to set up a fake charity concert to lure them out. Let them zero in on the event while we gather names, accounts. And proof.”

“So I’m just promoting another charity concert added to the tour,” Juliette said.

“Exactly. Everything by the book.”

Aspen spoke up from beside Willow. “I have experience with large events for notable people. I’ll coordinate the event itself—press releases, invitations, production. Everything high-end and totally believable.”

Juliette nodded slowly, her fingers tightening on Theo’s. “My publicist…”

“Of course Rachel should be involved, but she can handle her part remotely,” Theo said. “All her communication stays digital. No face-to-face. No paper trail.”

“I don’t want her hurt because of this,” she whispered.

All the air was sucked out of the room. Silence throbbed.

Juliette’s gut clenched. She looked at their faces. “What’s wrong?”

“Juliette…” Theo broke off, scrubbing a hand over his face.

Fear took hold of her. Leaning in, she demanded, “What happened?”

“Henrik was attacked near his home.”

“Oh my god!” Her mind spun, and her stomach dropped out. “Is he all right?”

“He’s in the hospital.”

She choked. “This is my fault. This never would have happened if I’d just noticed those warnings sooner!”

He reached out and rested his hand over hers. “It wasn’t your fault. This is the work of bad people. You’re not responsible for their actions. Henrik knows that too.”

Her gaze leaped to Theo’s. “You spoke to him?”

He gave a single nod. “We’ve sent someone to guard him and the others too.”

She melted in her seat. “Thank god.” Her voice wobbled. No one spoke for a long minute, giving her time to process everything.

“No one’s going to get hurt,” Denver said firmly. “Not if we do this right.”

“And we always do.” Colt sat back, arms folded over his broad chest.

Aspen took in her significant other’s pose and glanced around at the other guys, who wore similarly cocky looks on their faces. Including Theo.

Willow groaned. “Okay, this room is starting to feel like a testosterone sauna. The ladies can take the event from here, and we’re moving this to the dining table. We can plan with snacks.”

Aspen and Willow pushed away from the table. Juliette threw Theo a glance, and he nodded.

“Go on. We have things to hammer out here.”

Willow swung toward Juliette. “See? The guys want to pound everything into submission while women just want to sip some hot tea…”

Theo squeezed Juliette’s fingers before he released her. She stood and started out the door.

Aspen skirted past Colt, but he pulled her in for a kiss as she passed by. She smiled against his lips, and he gave her waist a playful squeeze before turning to leave.

Juliette watched the exchange, her chest pulling tight.

What they shared wasn’t just attraction, it was fierce devotion. The kind that didn’t waver. That grew deep roots and stayed.

She looked up—and found Theo watching her. The same way.

Her breath caught. Her stomach pitched.

He could feel something for me…

The realization hit like a tuning fork striking a high, clear note. And it resonated with sorrow. Because when this was over, she’d have to leave. She would walk away from him…from all of the people she’d come to care about.

The concert wasn’t just a trap for criminals. It was a countdown clock on whatever was growing between them.

I wish I had more time.

Each step she took toward the kitchen felt like a countdown too, not to the concert but to whatever this was between her and Theo.

She and the ladies reconvened around the table with mugs of tea and plates of pastries Willow insisted made for the best creative planning.

The pastries were delicious, and Layne said it was her old family recipe. Except she only took a nibble before pushing her plate away.

Juliette agreed it was fantastic but she didn’t feel much like eating right now, not with the dark shadow of worry growing inside her.

Aspen had her tablet out, scrolling through venue options. “Oh, this is perfect . There’s a resort in Lake Tahoe with everything we need. Ballroom, golf course, built-in donor clientele. I can spin this in a heartbeat.”

Willow nodded. “If you find a setup crew, I’ll manage security and press passes.”

“I want to help,” Layne offered, then immediately clapped a hand to her mouth. She rushed from the room.

The women exchanged a look.

“Morning sickness?” Aspen murmured with a knowing grin.

Willow grinned. “Definitely a bun in the oven. Family recipe.”

Juliette managed a laugh, though it caught in her throat. This entire room was bursting with life. Here she felt so…whole.

As soon as she left the ranch, she probably would never again see these women who had become friends to her. Their lives would go on here, and she would carry on with hers.

Without Theo.

The thought of him bringing home another woman and the family rallying around her, made Juliette want to grab hold of the man and never let go.

Honor breezed in carrying a small box. “Special delivery for Juliette.”

She froze, staring at the object in Honor’s hands. “Does Theo know about it?”

She bobbed her head, a smile spreading on her beautiful face. “Yup. That’s why it’s open. He told me to bring it to you.”

With a flourish, she set the box in front of Juliette. When she pulled open the flaps, she saw glass bottles tucked inside foam packaging. “More supplements.” She extracted a bottle and skimmed the label. The supplement was new to her, but it was for energy support.

The ladies were staring at her, and she issued a small laugh.

“Theo confiscated all my supplements that I use to be as healthy and tuned in as possible. He replaced them, but he mentioned adding a few new ones to my stack.”

Aspen gave her a sideways look with all the innuendo on her face that she had when Layne dashed out of the room.

“It’s nothing.” She placed the bottle in the box. “But he’s already ahead of me in this gift war.”

Now they looked at her like she needed medicated for insanity.

Threading her fingers through her hair, she explained. “Theo gave me an expensive pill dispenser and new high-quality supplements. I gave him earbuds so I can’t hear his loud music when he’s jumping rope.”

Aspen sat back in her seat, head cocked in interest. And Willow and Honor traded a look.

“Then he got me a horse! What can I possibly give him that would mean as much?”

“Theo doesn’t expect grand gifts, Juliette.” Willow’s eyes glinted as if she knew something Juliette didn’t. “Have you considered that he gave you Serenity as a way to get you to come back here after this danger is all over?”

Her spine straightened, and she blinked. “No. I hadn’t thought of that.” Her voice drifted off.

To cover her confusion, she picked up her mug and sipped her tea.

After a few moments, the women reconvened their planning session.

Layne returned to the kitchen looking a lot less pale, and she joined in.

They even got Juliette’s publicist Rachel on speakerphone to discuss the details of the event.

As they wrapped up the meeting, and talk turned to marketing, branding and security, Juliette felt a warm weight on her. Before she turned her head, she knew she would see Theo watching her from the doorway.

Her stare was drawn to him like he was gravity and she was the tide. Impossible to fight.

This time, she didn’t look away.

Because no matter what happened next…she wanted to remember what this moment felt like. Being held in the center of something good, something right.

Something worth fighting for.

Theo.