Chapter 1 #3
Her chin bobbed. “I’m fine.” She took the advice she often gave to clients, breathing slow and easy. “Just angry. And tired. They’re escalating, Brayden.” She explained the situation with the current—former—guests. “They’re pulling these stunts to drive us out of business.”
His thumbs brushed lightly against her collarbone, a subconscious gesture of comfort that sent a sizzling jolt straight down her spine. “We won’t let them succeed, Roni. This house, this beach is your place. That’s not changing.”
Veronica looked down, suddenly aware of how close they were standing, the scent of his skin—salt, cedar, and sunshine—wrapped around her. “We’re lucky Betty Jo had room for the Devaneys. Celeste knows the numbers, but if this keeps up…” She didn’t have the heart to finish the sentence.
Brayden’s expression softened. He was the one person she allowed to see her when she slipped out of her typical neutral, peacekeeping mode. “We’ll figure this out, Roni. I promise.”
She believed him. Believed in his desire to help. His friendship had never let her down. But this was different. She turned away, walking toward the ripple of waves coming ashore, grateful to have him by her side.
“How do we fix this?” she asked, hearing the despair creeping into her voice. “I’m having nightmares that one morning those trees and scrub will just be gone.”
“They can’t. The state would shut down the development and assess enough fines to drive them into bankruptcy.”
“If you say so.” She’d tried—and failed—to convince herself of the same outcome. No penalties would restore what the developers happened to destroy in the process. “I called Jess. We need more cameras. Maybe a team on standby. And I’m not leaving the Hideaway unattended.”
“Hey! Want to catch me up?” a new voice called out. Female this time.
Veronica and Brayden both turned to see Jess Billings walking across the beach. Jess had been raised on Brookwell Island, though she’d left for college and then became a cop in Key West. Now that she called this island home again, she was dedicated to protecting the community.
“Jess?” Roni had expected a text, not a personal visit. “Hi.” Between Brayden and Jess, she felt a glimmer of confidence.
“Got here as soon as I could,” Jess said. The breeze caught in her long blonde hair and she quickly twisted it up with a clip. “Your guests are settled elsewhere?”
“Yes. And Brayden showed up in the nick of time.”
Jess scowled. “Meaning?”
“Trespassing.” Roni had to pause, deliberately reeling in the string of fiery curses she wanted to hurl at the developers. “This time they were using survey equipment, claiming the maritime forest is their legal property, right of ways to the beach, and other crap.”
“Other crap means he threatened her,” Brayden said. “Construction accidents happen, that kind of thing.”
Everything about Jess went still, reminding Roni of Brayden’s earlier reaction. For a woman who left the force and was supposedly working a desk job, she still knew how to switch gears into battle mode.
Veronica was more than a little envious. She was fit and capable, but seeing the two of them, she realized the differences between general physical fitness and true capability to deal with high-consequence risks.
“All right. That makes what I’m about to propose even more appropriate.”
Roni’s gaze slid from Jess to Brayden. This proposal was not a surprise to him. He knew what was coming. Somehow, that didn’t put her at ease. She blamed all this unsettledness on the adrenaline rush after the conflict.
“The Guardian Agency has agreed to book the Hideaway until this issue with construction and trespassing is over.”
Roni felt her jaw drop. Shock didn’t begin to cover it. This changed everything.
“Celeste and I will work out the best solutions for any upcoming reservations,” Jess continued.
“Then we’ll close the calendar until this is over.
” She held up a hand as Roni began to protest. “And before you complain about handouts or charity or whatever, the agency is treating this as a regional training opportunity. We can test surveillance methods and equipment without disturbing anyone. We will station our protectors right here in the house as needed. Trust me, our team won’t complain about the noise.
This means someone will be present at all times to deter any further encroachment from the construction site.
“We can start this new initiative with Brayden, since he’s familiar with the island and recent events.”
Recent events. That was one way to label the situation with her younger sister, Natalie, who’d been targeted by a killer who had hidden at the construction site to evade capture. To cover their bases, the Guardian Agency had assigned teams to watch over Roni and Celeste too. Teams led by Brayden.
Hope bloomed, tender and fragile. She hadn’t known to hope for such a great outcome. Jess’s offer meant Roni wouldn’t need to double up on clients for the next few weeks.
“You’ve already spoken with Celeste?”
Jess nodded. “It’s a perfect solution,” she insisted.
“The protectors assigned here will document any instances of trespassing, including illegal survey measurements, and deliberate noise violations. Armed with photos, videos, and reports, Gamble and Swann will coordinate with local attorneys with the goal of an injunction to halt construction. Indigo Reef will not encroach on Hargrave land again.”
Veronica looked at Brayden, wanting his take. He was quiet, his jaw set, as he studied her intently.
“This is where you say yes,” Brayden prompted. “Or thank you.” He winked at her.
Brayden, right here at her family’s home? He was her best friend. It should be perfect. Except he was also the one man she was lusting after. Could she keep it together, keep her longing and hands to herself, to safeguard their friendship? “What about your other assignments?” she asked.
“You are the assignment. I mean the Hideaway is,” he corrected quickly. “It’s really the best solution.”
“But...” Veronica lost her train of thought, her heart hammering against her ribs. Something wild and unfamiliar flared in his dark eyes. Something raw and hot that lit a fire deep in her belly. Was he just that furious on her behalf? Or was this something else?
She wasn’t sure she was ready for the answer.
“You can be at home, go about your business, knowing the Hideaway is in good hands,” Jess said.
Which naturally drew Roni’s gaze to Brayden’s hands.
Hands that had only ever touched her in the course of training or a casual game of beach volleyball or football.
Through the years, there had been hugs too, but nothing like the way she was imagining being in his hands now.
“Right. Y’all are self-sufficient,” she managed. “That’s good, I guess we’re set.”
“It is,” Jess agreed. “We’ll make sure no one threatens you or your sisters again.”
“Okay.” Roni looked at him, her pulse racing with a mix of fear and sudden, undeniable excitement. He was going to live at the Hideaway. He was going to protect the property that meant so much to her family.
Would he choose the room she’d once called her own? Ugh. What a high-school thought. She didn’t typically spend much time here anymore outside of her weeks to be the hostess and contact person for guests.
Like now, when Brayden was the official guest.
Dang it, now there were butterflies racing a circuit through her stomach. Ridiculous really. Brayden wouldn’t be calling for restaurant recs or anything else. She didn’t need to obsess over him. It was too weird.
“Okay,” she repeated. “Great.”
“Wonderful.” Jess beamed. “While Brayden gears up, let’s get your statement about this incident on the record.”