Chapter 7 Intrepid #2
“That is a very good question. We have no idea.” Nick admitted. “Without knowing who is behind it, we can’t determine motive. That’s where you may be able to help us.”
A ping of curiosity zipped through her, electric and thrilling. “What do you want me to do?”
“Nothing more than you would anyway—all we need is your perspective,” Nick replied, emerald eyes sparkling.
“As you go about your business, pay attention to staff, to their interactions. You’re more observant than most, and if anyone catches you watching, it’s likely they’ll dismiss it as the natural curiosity of an author.
You might detect what others would miss. ”
A spark of conspiracy ignited in her, warming her from the inside. Wouldn’t this mean she’d see Nick again? She tried to squash the thought down, even as her heart picked up tempo.
Nick continued, eyes steady on hers. “What we’re looking for is twofold. One: who among our staff is still loyal and working hard. Two: who might be questionable and trying to subvert us. That will give us a starting point for Zach to search for evidence.”
He paused for a sip of coffee. “Since this may reduce your enjoyment of the resort, we’ll pick up the charges for your food and beverage.
The spa too. Just sign them to your suite.
Consider it hazard pay for putting up with us.
Plus, I have a selfish motive—if you’re well-fed and relaxed, you’re more likely to have lunch or dinner with me when I need to debrief you. ”
He delivered the last line with a sexy smile that caused her stomach to do a slow, lazy flip. Was he asking her out? Or just being practical?
Kate let the possibilities roll through her mind.
Adding an investigation to her retreat might be inspiring—it appealed to the part of her that created mysteries.
She planned on trying the restaurants and spa regardless, so it shouldn’t affect her writing.
As long as she didn’t go overboard and allow it—or her interest in Nick—to interfere, she should be fine.
Saving money was a great incentive too. This stay would stretch her finances even with her publisher kicking in half of the room bill.
“Alright. I’ll do it. However, don’t you think after Victoria was fired, any other moles will hide? Especially since you’re here?”
“Yes, we do. That’s why we’re leaving this afternoon.”
Her heart raced, a panicked flutter against her ribs that she desperately tried to ignore.
He was leaving?
Zach cleared his throat and stepped in to explain.
“We only need the staff to think we’re leaving.
So, we’re going to have a ‘situation’ come up at one of our other properties.
We’ll make a show of being called away, head to the lobby, get into the hotel limo, and drive to the airport.
The jet will take off empty. We’ll remain there in case anyone’s watching, then come back after dark. ”
Relief flooded through her so suddenly it left her dizzy. She barely knew him—why did the thought of him leaving hurt like losing something precious?
Nick was watching her, she realized, his gaze assessing. Had he seen her relief? The corner of his mouth lifted.
“Though I have to say,” Nick added, his voice dropping lower, “having to hide in my own home is a bit like being grounded as a teenager. At least this time I’ll have more interesting company to look forward to.” His eyes held hers, the green depths warm.
He sobered then, becoming more contemplative. “Lena will need to be included too. We can’t dump the whole reservation mess on her without support. David will have to stay here at the Residence, so he’ll need to work with her remotely.”
He tapped his fingers against the table. “He could put an earpiece on her or mirror her terminal. No one would suspect he was right here. Actually, it might reinforce the belief we’ve left if she’s seen coordinating with him from a distance.”
“Sounds like a plan!” Kate smiled, relief and excitement intermingling. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she felt part of a team.
“Just remember in your next book,” Zach said, unexpected teasing in his tone, “we’re the good guys who get the girl. Make her smart and sexy, okay? We have standards.”
Kate laughed with delight at his teasing. “For you, smart, sexy, and intrepid. Nothing less.”
“Intrepid, I like that,” Nick said, his smile widening. He leaned forward, close enough for her to catch his scent of rain and cedar. “Though I have to say, Kate, you’re setting a high bar for fictional heroines. How are they supposed to compete with the real thing?”
The compliment landed like a physical touch, spreading heat across her skin. She opened her mouth to respond but found herself trapped in his gaze instead.
“I think,” she finally managed, her voice huskier than intended, “you might be a dangerous man to spend time with, Mr. Ivory.”
“Nick,” he corrected gently. “And I hope so. Where’s the fun in being safe?”
Something shifted inside her, like tectonic plates rearranging themselves.
She’d come here to write, to meet a deadline, to enjoy some solitude.
Instead, she’d stumbled into corporate espionage and found herself drawn to a man who made her forget all her carefully constructed reasons for staying single.
Something warm unfurled—part exhilaration and part quiet certainty. For once, she was where she was meant to be, even if she had no idea where this path might lead.
And, strangely, she didn’t want to.
Another look passed between Nick and Zach—longer this time, more complex.
“Okay, seriously,” she said, “that’s at least the fifth time you two have done that thing where you have an entire conversation without words. What’s your secret? Twin telepathy without actually being twins?”
“Something like that,” Zach said, the corner of his mouth lifting.
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
“Not yet,” Nick said softly, and the promise implicit in those two words—that eventually he would, that there would be time for that—made her heart skip a beat.
She should probably be worried about that. About the way this man she’d just met could affect her with a look, a word, a smile. About the mysteries that surrounded him and his brother. About the fact that she was already in too deep.
But sitting there in the warm sunlight, with the taste of strawberries still sweet on her tongue and the promise of something unnamed shimmering in the air between them, Kate couldn’t quite ignore her anticipation.
She was definitely in trouble.
The good kind of trouble, but trouble nonetheless.