Harlequin Heartwarming May 2016 Box Set by Rula Sinara Page A

Ivory smuggling? He got up and she leaped after him.
    â€œNot a word to anyone, Mac. Not yet at least.”
    He turned on her, bringing his face within an inch of hers and lowering his voice. He hadn’t noticed any campers, but one never knew and voices carried around here.
    â€œDo you have any idea what you’re saying, Tess? The implication? This better not be about some marital spat or a ploy to justify uprooting Nick.”
    â€œIs that how little you think of me? Why would you assume the worst? I came to you because I want Nick in a safe place if this turns into a legal fiasco and the media comes down on us. Or worse. And because I thought I could trust you with this. Allan used to brag about the work you’ve done with the Kenyan Wildlife Service, helping to catch poachers, and about how you’ve volunteered for animal rescues in the area. I thought maybe you’d know something. Or know who I can trust among the authorities, because don’t believe for a second that Brice can’t pay for silence.”
    Mac pulled back a few inches. His pulse pounded in his temples. His brother had bragged about him? They were close, but Allan had always been so much like their father, critical to a fault. He played the role of big brother, but bragging about Mac was pushing it. The fact that he’d told anyone he was proud of Mac was an unexpected punch in the gut.
    â€œYou can trust me, Tessa. That’s not the point. You’re talking about murder here. Brutal poaching. Tessa, ivory smuggling is an illegal and deadly trade—and deaths aren’t always limited to elephants. I won’t lie. Brice isn’t my favorite person. He’s just not my type, but he’s a smart businessman. Too smart to get involved in shady dealings.”
    Tessa closed her eyes and shook her head.
    â€œI know. It all sounds surreal, and I assure you I didn’t come up with this overnight. I know it’s dangerous. Why do you think I’m here with Nick and not still back at our home?” She pulled her hair back into a ponytail like she meant business. “I stole some drives from his desk before leaving. I have no idea what’s on them, but I couldn’t take a chance. If he’s involved in something like this, I need to know.”
    Yep, she meant business.
    â€œYou took his files?”
    Damn it. Tessa’s suspicions could turn into a full-blown disaster. If she was right.
    â€œHe thinks I’m here visiting with Nick.”
    â€œUntil he discovers what else you brought with you.”
    â€œHe’s out of town for a few days. Which is why I need to find out if there’s anything important on the drives as soon as possible. I can always put them back if they’re clear and he’s not home yet. Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe I misunderstood what I overheard. It’s a lot of maybes, I know. I need to find out the truth. He’s my husband, Mac. I could ruin his life. If I’m wrong, I don’t want him knowing that I doubted him.”
    â€œIf you find proof that backs up what you’re saying, then what’ll your next move be? Have you thought that far? What are you planning? To disappear? Turn him in and ask for official protection?”
    She didn’t answer.
    â€œOkay, then. We’re staying here tonight,” Mac said.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œWe’re staying. I need to hear details, whatever you can tell me, and we’re a lot less likely to be overheard by the wrong ears—and I don’t mean Nick—out here than back at my office. I’ll call Sue and tell her we’re...somewhere else...camping out.” He didn’t want Sue blurting anything to the wrong people. She was too trusting.
    Mac pinched the bridge of his nose. Come to think of it, if things went south, he couldn’t leave Sue at the mercy of anyone searching for them. She’d be safer visiting Anna and Jack at Busara for a while. Spending