Chapter 8
Ihave a therapist? Why did I say that?
Early morning light filtered through the sheer curtains in her bedroom. She slept well last night. But her well-rested, clear-headed mind was regretting some things her frazzled brain churned out the day before.
Tayla wasn’t uncomfortable about seeing a therapist. She knew it was a healthy decision. But when a man she might possibly admit she finds attractive suggests—with his deep voice full of compassion—that she should talk to someone, why did she have to halt the conversation with ‘I have a therapist?’
Because she wasn’t going to discuss her demons.
Not with someone she’d met just hours before.
She wanted to assure him her fears had nothing to do with him, and she definitely appreciated the tenderness that crept into his tone, but she wasn’t going to relive the most terrifying night of her life.
Or the demoralizing embarrassment that followed.
She checked the time. That can’t be right. She hadn’t slept until nine o’clock in months. Or longer.
She showered and dressed in record time, and walked into the living room just before ten.
Rowan’s head popped up over the collection of laptops on the dining table. “Hi.”
“Good morning,” she said. “Is Leland, or anyone else, up? I can’t believe I slept so late.”
Rowan’s eyes flicked to the kitchen. Where she finally noticed Knox pouring himself some coffee.
“Oh, good morning, Knox.”
He smiled and lifted his mug. “Want some? This place has amazing coffee. It’s fresh ground. I used the grinder in our room across the hall so I wouldn’t wake you.”
“Thank you. Yes, I’d love some. Wait, you have a coffee grinder in your hotel room?”
His smile grew. “Yes, indeed. This hotel has pretty much everything you could want. I met a wonderful waitress downstairs about three o’clock this morning—”
“At three a.m.?”
“Yeah. We took shifts during the night watching the cameras. About three, Rowan said he needed more extension cords.” He set down his mug and added some cream.
“I wanted to get my bearings around here, so I went downstairs instead of calling. The concierge can get you anything. Anyway, this awesome waitress offered me sixteen different kinds of coffee beans. And a grinder for my room. Because I told her I like making my own coffee, first thing in the morning.”
His caffeine-fueled explanation suggested he was on his third or fourth cup already.
“I see.” She accepted a steaming mug of Knox’s freshly made coffee. It smelled divine. “Thank you.”
She glanced into the living room. Rowan sat alone, staring at computer screens. “Where are Leland and Jason?”
“Talking to Drakos. He’ll see things their way. Trust me. Those two have dealt with more obstinate men than Alec Drakos.” His expression softened. “Jason says you had no idea Leland was an agent.”
“That’s right,” she said, pretending that fact didn’t twist her in knots.
She opened the refrigerator. Not because she was hungry. She just didn’t want to face Knox while he asked uncomfortable questions.
“Sorry about that,” he said. “I’m sure it was a shock. But he’s good at what he does. A legend, really. I think he gave you a different story to protect you. He didn’t want you worrying about him, you know?”
Oh, could he please just stop talking? Her frustration with Leland was none of Knox’s business. She was still staring into the refrigerator. “I see you also acquired eight flavors of creamer.”
“Yeah, that waitress is amazing.”
She chose a hazelnut creamer. “I think Jason and I met her yesterday.” When she closed the refrigerator door, Knox was giving her a strange look. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Not a thing.” He took a sip of coffee. “Jason said you were brave yesterday.”
She poured a generous helping of creamer in her mug. “I think he’s misremembering.”
“I don’t think so. He says you’re a personal assistant?”
She gave as much a nod as possible while sipping hot coffee.
“I don’t know exactly what a personal assistant does, but I’ll bet you don’t get shot at much.”
She loved her job. And it undoubtedly consisted of more than he was assuming. But she didn’t feel like explaining the details of her responsibilities to him. “No. I don’t get shot at much.”
“And yet,” he leaned against the kitchen counter and smiled at her over his coffee mug, “you didn’t fall apart. A lot of civilians would go completely catatonic after being attacked once, let alone three times in one day.”
“I’m not sure that’s as impressive as you make it sound.”
“Well, I’m impressed.” He smiled. “And so is Jason.”
If he insisted on talking about Jason, maybe she could learn a little more about the man who saved her life more than once in the past twenty-four hours. “So, how long have you and Jason been doing . . . this kind of thing for WhiteRock?”
“We both came onboard about the same time. Almost ten years ago.”
“And before that?”
“I was military. Jason was in the CIA.”
She froze. Seriously? “CIA? Are you messing with me?”
He laughed. “No. He was with them for a few years. He’ll kill me for telling you, but I don’t care. He doesn’t talk about it much, but it’s not a secret. And I’m sure Leland Faraday’s niece can be discreet.”
She concentrated on her coffee for a moment, then looked over the brim at Knox, savoring his java. He was nice. He joked more than Jason and Leland put together, but she felt he was sincere. “Explain that to me.”
“Explain what?”
“Why do you trust me just because I share genes with Leland?”
He smiled. “Leland is a legend. I’ve only worked with him three times, but the stories I’ve heard are epic.”
He’d been an ‘epic legend’ in her life as well, but not for fighting bad guys, or whatever it was he did for WhiteRock. It still hurt that he’d kept half his life a secret from her. Were the lies really necessary for her protection? She still had so many questions.
She looked at her watch. “Do you think—”
They heard a knock at the suite door just before it opened. “It’s us,” said Leland.
Knox and Tayla joined Jason, Leland, and Rowan in the living room.
“How did it go?” asked Knox.
Jason’s eyes found hers. “Good morning. You sleep okay?”
“Yes, thanks.” She prayed no one noticed the heat creeping up her cheeks.
Knox leaned his body between them—with unnecessary theatrics—breaking their eye contact. “I slept great, too. Thanks for asking. Now, how did it go with Drakos?”
“Hang on,” Jason said. “Did you get in touch with Morghana police? Will they allow us to visit any of the guys we handed over yesterday?”
Irritation tightened Knox’s normally relaxed features. “Nope.”
“Why not?” Jason asked.
“Turns out, this island paradise has the sort of police department that favors the well-connected. Or well-to-do. All three men, even the one you shot, have been released.”
“What? Why?”
“I was told there wasn’t enough evidence to hold them.”
Tayla sensed Jason’s frustration pulsing from across the room.
“Jason,” Leland said, with calm flowing from his wisdom and experience. “This is a non-extradition country. And a haven for wealthy criminals. You knew going into this that the police might not be helpful.”
Jason drew a deep, slow breath through his nose. “Then let’s focus on the positives from this morning.” He looked back to Knox and held up a folder. “Drakos was very cooperative.”
Leland nodded. “We just needed to explain the situation properly.”
“We have a plan.” Jason said, tapping the folder.
“There’s a big party tonight in the main ballroom.
Lots of guests and locals from other parts of Morghana will be in attendance.
Including Frederick Kost and several other people of questionable character that Drakos believes may want his valuables. ”
Knox’s eyebrows shot up. “So, we have a suspect list?”
Jason nodded and handed the folder to Rowan. “This is the guest list. I highlighted everyone Drakos suspects. Do a full background on everyone highlighted, starting with Frederick Kost.”
Rowan glanced over the list. “Whoa. Van Skyler is here? And KC Novis? And—”
“Concentrate on the highlighted suspects, not the celebrities,” Jason said.
“Sure, yeah,” Rowan answered with a nod. “I just didn’t know this was a big movie star destination.” His wide eyes looked more star-struck than professional.
Jason ran a hand down his face. “Rowan, focus on—”
“The highlighted names. I got it, boss. Anything else?”
“I’ll let you know.” He turned back to Knox. “I know the party sounds thin, but Drakos is certain Frederick will be there, so if nothing else, we chat him up.”
Knox finished his coffee and set the mug on the coffee table. “Meaning we tag him and bug him?”
“Exactly. And if he comes with personal security, we’ll plant something on them as well. I want to keep him covered. He’s likely responsible for some of the attacks. According to Drakos, he’s insanely wealthy, cocky, morally dubious, and furious at Drakos for taking his dad’s stuff.”
“Do I get to wear a tux? How nice is this party?” asked Knox.
“Drakos said one of the his shops near the lobby can outfit us with tuxes before tonight.”
Rowan huffed a humorless laugh. “You two are going together? That’s cute.”
“The three of us will go,” he said, pointing to Leland, Knox, and himself. “You stay here on the cameras. And stay on comms in case we need anything.”
“I should go,” Tayla said.
Jason looked so confused she felt the need to clarify. “To the party. I should go with you to the party.” She heard Leland grunt, and narrowed her eyes at his expression. “Don’t you look at me like that. I want to help. And this is something I can do.”
Jason opened his mouth and shut it again.
Knox grinned. “So, you like parties? Or you just want to get a peek at the celebrities and billionaires that will be there?” He looked at Jason—whose disgruntled look appeared to entertain Knox.
Knox, and his growing smile, faced her again. “I like this idea, but if an A-list actor asks you to dance, are you going to go all fan-girl on him?”