Chapter 201

Then she felt Nolan's steady arm under her hand. His voice was a low tremor registering beneath the ringing in her ears. He guided her to a chair as he finished the conversation with J.D. in a few curt words.

She squeezed her eyes shut to clear her mind. Of course he had lied about there not being any diamonds here. That’s what her gut had told her earlier. She’d just hoped she was wrong. Now, she tried to narrow her attention past her shock and confusion to focus on Nolan's gaze.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine.” She shook off his touch, even though it seemed the only thing anchoring her down.

“You looked like you were about to faint there for a minute.”

She stifled a derogatory snort. “I don’t faint.” She felt a ridiculous surge of resentment. “Why aren’t you upset? You should be at least as freaked out about this as I am.”

But as soon as she said it, she realized he was just as agitated. He just kept it buried deeply inside. His e