His For Five Nights Read online

  His For Five Nights

  Barrington Billionaires Series

  Book Five

  by

  Jeannette Winters

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  Alex Henderson needs to know the truth about his mother, even if it means exposing the family’s darkest secret to the world.

  Ziva Gryzb will do anything to stop the human trafficking ring that is terrorizing her country. She wasn’t able to save her older sister, but she is determined to save other young women from the same fate.

  Alex finds it will take more than money to gain answers. Willing to risk it all, including his reputation, he pretends to follow in his father’s footsteps.

  When Ziva hears yet another Henderson is on the prowl in her country, she sets out to take him down.

  Alex doesn’t expect an adversary to be his only hope. Ziva doesn’t think she can defend, never mind love, a Henderson. Will the key to their hearts also be the key to their freedom or will they pay the price for a crime neither committed?

  Copyright

  Kindle Edition

  An original work of Jeannette Winters, 2017.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my entire support team. You all have laughed and cried with me as this series continued. Know that I appreciate each and every one of you. You rock!

  Karen Lawson, Janet Hitchcock, E.L. King and Marion Arche, my editors you are all amazing!

  To my readers who continue to inspire me with endless messages and kind words. Always make time for romance.

  Hate to say goodbye to your favorite characters? The perfect solution is a Synchronized Series! One world. Three authors. Character cross-over. Triple the amount of books. Binge reading at it’s best.

  Each author’s books are full stories you can enjoy individually! But putting them all together weaves an even more pleasurable reading experience.

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  About the Book

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Synchronized Series

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Other Books By Jeannette Winters

  Chapter One

  ‡

  “You’re a damn fool going there without any backup.”

  Alex Henderson didn’t need or want Bennett Stone’s approval. This trip was his decision to make. “I don’t remember asking your opinion.”

  Bennett snorted. Running his hand through his hair he said, “You’re a grown-ass man, and if you want to go out there and get yourself killed, I won’t try to stop you. But I’m marrying your sister. If you do something this stupid, you won’t be the only one to pay the price. Your brothers and Zoey will too.”

  “You’re not stopping me,” Alex said firmly.

  “I’m not out to stop you. Just want to talk some sense into that thick Henderson skull of yours. Sit down with Brice. Maybe he’ll move the timetable up.”

  Alex shot Bennett a look of doubt. Anyone who knew his oldest brother, Brice, would know he didn’t budge once he set his mind to something. Guess that’s a common trait we share.

  “I don’t want anyone to know what I’m doing.” Not sure how you found out. Alex didn’t have to ask Bennett if he’d shared the knowledge. If he had, it would’ve been a family intervention instead of just the two of them.

  “Lying to your brothers is something I mastered a few years back.”

  Alex knew his brothers weren’t the only ones Bennett had lied to. He’d experienced that firsthand. Deceit wasn’t something he tolerated, which was funny because most of his existence was a lie. But that was business. If Bennett’s lack of truth had been for any reason other than to protect Zoey, the family would’ve cut him down in a heartbeat. I still might if you cross me. “Then we have an understanding.”

  Arching a brow, Bennett said, “Only if that means you agree not to go alone.”

  He was thirty-eight years old, and never had anyone watched his back before. No matter what Bennett might think, Alex wasn’t about to let anyone, even someone highly trained in the art of protection, in on what he was really about to do.

  Bennett was right, he was a damn fool for going in like this, but there was no other way. The answers were in Tabiq, and something held Brice back from making the trip himself. He could ask, yet the answer wasn’t going to change anything. The rest of the family might not be interested in finding their mother, but Alex wasn’t going to stop until he did.

  “Bennett, you work for my brother. I don’t need you there so you can report back to Brice.”

  “It’s not about wanting me along. It’s you needing me to cover your ass. You have no idea what you’re walking into. These people hate the Hendersons.”

  Alex stared at him. “Tell me why you should come, and then I’ll decide if you can accompany me.” He knew it was a slim shot that Bennett would actually open up. If he didn’t, he’d get the answers in Tabiq. It was only a matter of time. He could see how reluctant Bennett was to divulge what he knew. “Talk or get out.”

  Bennett finally opened his mouth. “You better sit down for this.”

  Alex looked at his watch. The jet was fueled and waiting. He didn’t need a lengthy discussion, but if Bennett was going to say anything worthwhile, he wouldn’t miss it. Walking back over to his desk, he pulled out the chair and took a seat.

  “What do you know?” Bennett asked.

  “You’re talking. I’m listening,” Alex growled.

  “You already know where your mother was born. I’m still working on it, but so far, I haven’t had any luck locating your mother or the others. People there are not very forthcoming. It’s going to take time, but we’ll get the answers one way or another.”

  Alex raised a brow. “Others?”

  Bennett nodded. “This is why Brice is hesitant about going to Tabiq.”

  “Nothing will stop me from finding our mother.”

  “Mothers.”

  “I know how this works. One mother. One father.”

  “One father, six mothers.”

  Alex wasn’t prepared for that news. It made sense to him as they all had a slight resemblance, but no two of them looked alike. “Are you positive?”

  “Yes. I have the DNA proof. Each of your mothers was born and raised in Tabiq.”

&nb
sp; That didn’t make any sense. Why would his father choose six different women? Was it just to avoid getting married? He could understand that because no woman would’ve been able to tolerate his ass. That didn’t explain why they never came looking for their children. For me.

  “I know we’re miserable fucks, but you’re telling me that out of six women, not one of them wanted us? Why?”

  “It wasn’t about wanting you or not. These women weren’t given a choice.”

  So many things ran through his head. He didn’t want to jump to conclusions because so many of them were ugly as hell. When it came to his father and business, nothing was off limits. Was he that sick and controlling in women’s personal lives as well? God knows he was when it came to us kids. Why not with girlfriends? Unless they weren’t girlfriends. Money could buy a lot of things. Even silence.

  “Either tell me, or I’ll find out when I get there.” Alex had decided long ago that, no matter what the truth was, he wanted to know. He hoped that wasn’t about to change. The look in Bennett’s eyes said this was difficult for even him to say.

  “Tabiq is corrupt. Young woman are seen as business deals.”

  “Are you saying they—?”

  “Their young virgins are offered for a price. One your father was willing to pay. Six times.”

  Alex considered himself a strong man, but this was a sick, painful blow he wasn’t expecting. He felt physically ill. Dad, you . . . bought our mothers? He’d come across a human trafficking ring before when doing research. It had disgusted him as it should any normal human being. Knowing he was conceived through such an act was abhorrent. Why would a man so damn disgusting like my father even have one child, never mind six? “Brice know?”

  Bennett nodded.

  Alex rose from his chair; it tipped backward and crashed to the floor. “And he’s done nothing to stop it? What the fuck is he waiting for? We need to go and find them. Get them the hell out of there. Fucking kill whoever sold them to my . . . father.”

  The last word almost choked him to say. He never hated being the son of James Henderson more than he did at this moment.

  “Alex, it’s not that simple. Think about it. You’re the third child, and you’re thirty-eight. Your mother could be fifty-six now. It’s been going on for over forty years. And it’s an ongoing issue.”

  “Then we go there, and if they won’t stop, we fucking crush them.”

  Bennett raised his hand. “No one is going to listen to you. None of you. The people fear the Henderson name to this day. I never met your father, but he was one sick bastard. If he wasn’t already dead—”

  “You’d need to get in line.”

  Alex never thought he could hate his father more than he already did. Right now, hate wasn’t strong enough to reflect his inner turmoil. He’d never felt out of control, but right now, he needed to stay away from the family. Seeing them, especially Brice, was going to open the floodgates to a conversation no one wanted to have.

  He wasn’t about to wait on Brice’s approval to act. The wheels were already turning on what he needed to do. Bennett wasn’t going to like it, but if they wanted answers, then they would have to use what they had in their favor.

  “Bennett, if you’re coming, we’re doing this my way. Understood?”

  “I don’t like the look on your face, Alex. What the hell do you have planned?”

  “You said they wouldn’t welcome us because of who I am, and they’re afraid of repercussions. Let’s use that to our benefit and go for the jugular. Let them think I’m just like my father, and in the market for . . .” He couldn’t say it.

  “A virgin? You think you can pull that off when you can’t even say the word?” Bennett asked, his voice filled with doubt.

  “You’d be amazed at what I can pretend to be.” Bennett didn’t need to know how he’d come to be so talented. It had taken years of practice. First as a child hiding what he didn’t want James to know and then as he became a successful published author of espionage novels. He’d managed to hide his true identity as an author from not only the readers but his own family.

  “I guess you’re coming,” Alex said in a displeased tone.

  “My team and I. When this goes dangerously critical, and it will, we’re going to need backup.”

  “I’m trying not to bring attention to myself. The last thing I need is someone going in with guns blazing. My father never traveled with security guards, so I’m not about to either.” God knows my father should’ve. He was the most hated man I knew. Can’t believe he lived long enough to die of natural causes. “I want them to trust me. Not question my motives.”

  It was funny because no one had trusted James, especially not his children. Alex usually looked forward to the challenge of pretending to be someone he wasn’t. This time, it scared the hell out of him. Was it because of how evil James was, or the fear that he might find he plays the role too fucking well? I’d rather be dead than be anything like my father.

  “You’re going to want those guns. Doug Atwood and I didn’t receive a warm welcome when we went. Tabiq looks peaceful from afar, but I’m telling you, if they find out this is a hunting mission, we’re dead, and your money won’t buy a way out for us.”

  Alex arched a brow. Bennett didn’t appear to be bluffing. “You might want to stay behind. My sister won’t forgive me if anything happens to you.”

  “If something happens to me, trust me, you won’t be around to feel her wrath either. If we do this, we do it together. No man left behind.”

  Bennett never left the honor instilled in him as a Marine. Although Alex never walked in those boots, he’d heard the saying, Once a Marine always a Marine. After meeting Bennett, that saying became clear. Right now, it was the loyalty Alex needed, and a code he respected. “Let’s do this.”

  Bennett didn’t move. “This isn’t about me or you or your mother. There are women, families, who will be affected if we fuck this up. It’s more than just our lives on the line here. I will organize men to be on standby.”

  Alex had been so focused on his mother he’d missed the big picture. It was good to have Bennett around to bring that to light. That didn’t mean he wanted more of the same, tough bastards hovering with guns. One was bad enough.

  “I don’t want anyone knowing what’s going on. Or why my family is involved.” Alex wasn’t sure if he could stop it from leaking out to the rest of the world, never mind his family, but he’d try.

  Bennett said, “The Turchetta family would be the perfect people for this and could get in and out in days. You don’t need to be there. Let me make some calls.”

  There was no doubt that Bennett and the people he knew were able to pull off shit that most couldn’t. His family had witnessed it a few times over the past two years. If he said the Turchettas were who they needed, it made sense to use them. But this wasn’t about who was best for the job. This was personal. Something he needed to do himself. I want my mother to know I found her, that I looked for her. Not someone on my payroll.

  “If that’s the case, why hasn’t it happened already? What are you waiting for?”

  Bennett shot him a look, and he knew exactly the issue. Brice hadn’t given his go-ahead. As far as Alex knew, Bennett hadn’t shared what he’d learned with anyone other than Brice, but then again, Alex had been kept out of the loop. Not sure if it was on purpose or not. Alex knew if they were waiting on Brice, they could be waiting a long time. He never acted until he had every fact. That was the problem with being the scientific one. It had to have a logical order or it didn’t happen. Won’t take action till he knows her name and location. It could be too late by then. It’s not a cushy life in Tabiq. Who knows what kind of life my mother has had? If she’s happy or sad, or hell, if she’s healthy. I’m not going to wait until she’s six feet underground before I make my move.

  He didn’t knock his brother for the way he liked to handle things, but Brice had a hard time accepting that others functioned differently. He’s just going
to have to deal with it, ’cause it’s not all about him this time.

  Alex was a risk-taker. Every plan he’d ever tried to carve in stone went to hell. He was the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type. No one would change that about him. He liked his lifestyle and anyone who didn’t could just shut the fuck up. He didn’t want to hear other opinions, because he was set in his ways and didn’t care what they thought.

  “I want to go. This is my mother we’re talking about. I don’t need someone doing what I can do myself.”

  Bennett sighed heavily. “You’re as stubborn as your brothers.”

  “Better believe it,” Alex said firmly.

  “It’s not a compliment. It’s going to get one of you killed one of these days.”

  “It’s going to get me answers I need. That’s all I care about right now,” Alex growled.

  “I must be just as fucking stupid, ’cause I’m going with you.”

  “No. Zoey is pregnant and needs you here.” Alex wasn’t just saying that because he wanted to do this alone. Zoey was expecting their first child. Although Alex wasn’t a doctor, he could see she didn’t look well. When he asked her about it, she said it was just morning sickness. The way Bennett hovered over her all the time said it was something more. There was no way he could risk Bennett being thousands of miles away if Zoey needed him. That didn’t mean he was going to allow the Turchettas, or anyone else he didn’t know, to get involved. I was planning on doing this solo anyway. Why change that now?

  “I’ll have Tessa, Lena, and Morgan watch out for her. We’re not going to be gone that long. In and out, remember?”

  He’d wanted to be gone already. It was becoming evident that Bennett wasn’t going to let up. “Remember, no one can know where we’re going.” Alex shot Bennett a warning look.

  “That’s the way I roll. My bag’s in the limo out front.”

  Cocky bastard.

  Alex bent down, grabbed his suitcase, and headed for the door. His head remained filled with more shit than he could process. At first, he hadn’t been looking forward to the long flight ahead of him. Now he knew he needed it. It was going to take all the self-control he could muster to pull this off. Pretend to be like my father. A lowlife scum-sucking bastard.