Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
A night breeze blew by, and strands of her hair danced lazily around her shoulders. I could have looked away, contemplated the crescent moon pouring its light over the water or the tiki torches that flickered around the bar on the sugary white sand.
But she made it near impossible to think of anything other than…her.
I had to try though. I drew a deep soldiering breath and called on all my focus, casting nighttime desires out to sea. “Let’s talk about what we know and what we need to know. What we’ve learned.”
“We’ve learned my stepdad has some most excellent chocolate bars from Ecuador. At least, I suspect they’re excellent, given his taste.”
She still seemed to be unwinding, and needing to, so I said, “Want to try some, sweetheart?”
Her eyes twinkled. “You bet I do.”
It was like we were doing something naughty, breaking into the special stash.
“He always did have good treats.” She pointed to the bar. “You get to have some too since you were so studly tonight, scaling that roof.”
I laughed. “Yes, I was a big stud, seizing chocolate.”
“And I’ve noticed you like sweet things.”
I couldn’t resist. “Very, very sweet things.”
Holding out her hand, she beckoned with her fingers. “Chocolate, please.”
I unwrapped a corner and handed a square over. Setting aside the ice pop, Ruby bit into it, and I did the same with mine. Mmm, wow. It melted on my tongue. “This is incredible.”
“It’s decadent,” she said as she finished it.
“No wonder he keeps a secret stash locked up.” We ate a little more, since tonight was apparently for sweet things. When we finished, I said, “So there are no diamonds in the safe.”
She nodded intensely. “Which means we keep looking for them.”
I saw real determination in her eyes, heard it in her voice. I liked how much she wanted to help her mother. And I liked the fiery spark that lit her up when she thought about it.
“Yup. We’ll keep on it. Now, tell me what you learned at the sex-toy party,” I said before I got distracted by Ruby…again.
She switched to work mode quickly, and recapped what she’d uncovered about the gallery expansion plans, as well as her stepfather’s security concerns at the club.
“My original thought was he kept the diamonds at the house and, bit by bit, batch by batch, he had been converting them into money,” I said. “But he must keep them elsewhere or he moves them in small groups. Where’s the most likely place they might be, besides the house?”
She snapped her fingers. “Kalila! She used to do some admin work for my stepdad. She’ll be at the boat party tomorrow. We can quiz her, see if she knows anything,” she said, with fresh excitement in her voice, like she was more determined than before.
“You’re on fire tonight,” I said. “Is it the Cherry Popsicle?”
“I suppose it was seeing that big diamond on Willow’s throat. Made me mad.” She traced a thoughtful pattern in the wood of the picnic table. “I still don’t want him to go to prison though.”
I held up my empty hands. “Not my job to put people behind bars. I work around the law, not for the law.”
“You’re not going to turn him in to the SEC or something?” she asked, seeming concerned.
“I work for clients—not government agencies. When I find the diamonds, I return them to their rightful owners. Andrew and the Eli Fund. Simple as that.”
She quirked up the corner of her lips, as if considering what I’d said, then nodded. “Fair enough.” Picking up her popsicle, she licked it one last time and set the stick on the table. “Okay, let’s play truth or dare.” She waved her hand to erase her words. “Wait. No. Just truth.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re still pissed that I didn’t tell you what I was planning tonight?”
She shook her head. “I’m not. But can we make a deal?”
I didn’t want to make deals before I knew what they were. “Maybe.”
“Next time, can you tell me your plans?” she asked. She was so earnest in her request, and I knew I’d hurt her by not telling her. I’d had my reasons, true. But she wanted me to show her we were on the same team. I’d have to do that for her if we were to keep working together.
“I will.”
“Good. So,” she said, rubbing her palms, her lips curving as if in anticipation. “How was it? Sneaking into his house?”
“Fun,” I said, flashing a grin.
“Did you get a thrill out of it?” She sounded wickedly enchanted by the possibility. Maybe hooked on it.
“Honestly, yes,” I said. “I love what I do. It’s exciting to try to right a wrong.”
Her gaze drifted to my arm, and the scar I’d recently acquired. “Speaking of righting a wrong, and truth or dare—truth again. That’s not from a fishing accident, is it?”