Churning Seas

by Lily Harper Hart

  “It shouldn’t.” Rowan was pragmatic. “You couldn’t have known what would happen. No one could have known that someone would be brazen enough to start shooting at the mall in the middle of the day. It was ludicrous to think they would take things that far.”

  “Someone broke into your room and stole your camera.”

  “That’s theft, not murder. Those are vastly different animals.”

  “I guess.” Quinn wasn’t convinced as he ran his hand over his jaw. “I still blame myself. I’m the one who told you to take the photos.”

  “That was my job. You said the company needed them for insurance purposes. You can’t blame yourself for that.”

  “The first set of photos,” Quinn clarified. “Corporate ordered the first set of photos. The second set of photos was my idea.”

  Rowan stilled, surprised. “Wait ... do you think it was the second set of photos that set things into motion?”

  “I think that makes the most sense. People saw you taking photos and your room was broken into later that night. I mean, think about it.” Quinn propped himself on his elbow so he could stare directly at Rowan. “Even if people were upset about you taking photographs that first night, it was obvious you had more than enough time to back them up. I think that means they had to be worried about the second set of photos.”

  “Yeah.” Rowan tapped her chin, considering. “Where is your laptop?”

  “On the table. Why?”

  “Let’s look at the photos again.”

  “Are you sure you want to do that?” Quinn wasn’t thrilled at the idea of interrupting their lackadaisical morning for actual work. “I thought maybe we could have breakfast in bed and tune out the rest of the world.”

  Rowan snickered at his hangdog expression. “How about we split the difference? We’ll look at the photos while waiting for our room service to be delivered. Then we’ll eat in bed — probably do something else in bed, too, when we’re done — and then we’ll get ready to head back to the ship.”

  Quinn’s fingers were gentle as he slid a strand of hair out of her face. “Are you ready to go back to the ship?”

  “I was never not ready.”

  “You were shaky,” Quinn countered. “You felt violated because someone was in your private space. I don’t blame you. I don’t like the idea of that either. That’s why I wanted to get away from it all and come here.”

  “We did that. We had a good time. We got breakfast in bed ... and a couple’s massage ... and we swam in that tub and had a good time. You’ve more than held up your end of the boyfriend bargain.”

  Quinn snickered. “You have a way with words.”

  “I try.”

  “I just want you to be okay.”

  “I am okay. I was always going to be okay. I had no intention of letting this drag me down. It just felt as if I was dealing with so much at one time, maybe a little too much. I couldn’t quite seem to wrap my head around it.”

  “I know. It was too much for anyone.” Quinn carefully cupped her head and stared into the fathomless depths of her eyes. “Fred is still working on that code, by the way. He hasn’t had as much time as either of us would like to dedicate to it, but he hasn’t forgotten. As soon as this is over, he’ll focus on that and get the answers you need.”

  It was weird, but Rowan hadn’t given a lot of thought to the letter — or her father, really — over the past two days. She didn’t know what to make of it, especially given the fact that she was obsessed about both a mere twenty-four hours before things shifted so drastically.

  “We’ll find answers when we find them,” Rowan said finally, taking him by surprise with her calm demeanor. “If we don’t find answers, then it’s not the end of the world. I want to know why he left. I want to know what would possess him to abandon me.

  “Mostly I want to know those things because part of me — and it’s a very small part, so don’t get worked up — wants to make sure I don’t do anything to make you want to abandon me,” she continued. “I mean ... he’s my father. He’s supposed to want to take care of me no matter what. I must have done something to make him change the way he feels, right?”

  “No.” Quinn immediately started shaking his head. “I don’t think that’s it at all.”

  “You don’t?”

  “I don’t. I think that your father somehow got involved in something that was bigger than him. I’m not going to pretend I know what that something is. I’m not even going to make judgments on his behalf. I have no idea if he could have made a better choice.”

  “How could he not have made a better choice?” Rowan was honestly curious. “I mean ... he obviously made the wrong choice.”

  Quinn didn’t think now was the time to press this issue, but he refused to back down. “Sweetheart, what if he did it because that was the only way to ensure that you were safe?”

  Rowan balked. “He could have taken me with him.”

  “Except that he clearly did his best to fake his death,” Quinn pointed out. “That’s a rather extreme reaction, and faking two deaths is a lot harder than faking one. I’ve looked into him, although only cursorily, since Nick told us he was alive.”

  “You didn’t look into him before that?”

  Quinn shook his head. “I Googled for news stories about his disappearance. That’s it.”

  “How come?”

  “Because I didn’t want to overstep. I wanted you to make the call on this. You need control over something. Your father took that control away from you. I didn’t want to add to the problem.”

  Rowan pressed her lips together and nodded. “You said you ran a cursory search on my father after we found out he was alive. What did you find?”

  “Not much. He seemed like a normal guy. That’s why I think whatever he stumbled into wasn’t planned. I know you don’t want to hear it because you have a right to your anger and you’re not ready to dull it, but I think the obvious truth behind all of this is that your father was trying to protect you.

  “Before you say what I know you’re going to say, give me a second,” he continued, holding up his hand to quiet her. “He could have taken you with him. I’m sure he could’ve found a way. What good would going on the run have done you, though? How could he take you knowing you would constantly be looking over your shoulder?”

  Rowan was frustrated, but she recognized what he was saying as truth. “I get that. I know I sound whiny, but I wouldn’t want my life to be different because somehow — despite all the pain and anguish — I found you. If something in my past changed, that might not be the case and I don’t want that.”

  “Good.”

  “It’s just ... it still hurts.”

  “I know.” Quinn tugged Rowan so she was on top of him and he could hug her properly. “It’s always going to be a small tear. I do think we’re going to find the answers we need, though. You just have to resign yourself that it’s not going to happen on your preferred timetable.”

  “In other words, I need to stop whining.”

  “In other words, I think you’re absolutely perfect and I want you to do whatever it is that makes you feel better.”

  Rowan barked out a laugh as Quinn’s lips curved. “You’re very good at this.”

  “Surprisingly, I’m better than I ever thought I would be,” Quinn admitted. “I think you bring it out in me.”

  “I think the talent was there all along.”

  “This is not something I’m willing to fight about.”

  “Me either.” Rowan pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Let’s order breakfast, take another swim in the tub, and then go home.”

  “Good plan.”

  “We’ll deal with the rest as it comes.”

  “That’s another good plan.”

  “I thought so.”

  ROWAN WAS DUMBFOUNDED when they returned to The Bounding Storm and Sally was waiting for them. She swooped down on the couple, threw her arms around Rowan’s neck, and started gushing immediately.<
br />
  “I was worried you would never come back,” she announced, swaying back and forth as Rowan tried to extricate herself from her friend’s rather exuberant embrace. “I thought maybe the shooting traumatized you to the point where you were going to quit.”

  Quinn had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing as he watched the show. It was obvious Rowan was out of her element in the face of the nonstop hugging.

  “I was always coming back.” Rowan awkwardly patted Sally’s arm. “We just took a break from everything.”

  “Yes, well, I understand about needing a break.” Sally finally released Rowan and flicked her eyes to Quinn. She was obviously excited, which gave Quinn a boost of energy he wasn’t expecting. “As for the list you left, it’s taken care of. Demarcus helped check everything himself. I did the room stuff.”

  Rowan knit her eyebrows, confused. “What are you guys talking about?”

  “It’s a surprise,” Quinn replied easily.

  “What’s a surprise?”

  “You didn’t tell her?” Sally was incredulous. “How could you not tell her? This involves her as much as it does you.”

  “It was also a surprise,” Quinn reminded her, shifting their bags so he could carry both in one hand while placing the other at the small of Rowan’s back so he could prod her along. “It’s not fun to spoil a surprise.”

  Rowan’s eyes were full of fire when she shifted them to Quinn. “What surprise? I’m not sure I like surprises.”

  “Well, you’ll like this one.” Quinn was almost positive that was true. “This way.” He prodded her toward the hallway that led to her room, sparing a brief glance for the security guard who fell into step with them. He hadn’t even noticed Christopher Donaldson joined the small group. “Report.”

  “Thirty additional cameras have been added to the employee hallways,” Christopher said, his tone clear and professional. “They’re motion activated and hidden in light fixtures like you wanted.”

  “Good.” Quinn bobbed his head. “And the cameras that we’re certain were hacked?”

  “Hacked isn’t exactly the right word,” Christopher hedged. “It’s more that they were blanked. We’re pretty sure an electronic signal was sent from some sort of handheld device and it caused the cameras to reboot.”

  “That makes sense. Did you find a way to insulate the cameras?”

  “We think so but, as you know, something new is always around the corner. We can only do what we can do.”

  “I’ll look over the cameras once I’m settled. I understand what you’re saying about new technology but there has to be a way to better protect those cameras ... and I’m going to find it. There’s no way I’m going to let what happened occur a second time.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “What about visitors?” Quinn asked as they turned down the hallway that led to Rowan’s room. “Has anyone from the Andromeda contingent or home office been back?”

  “No, sir. It’s been quiet.”

  “Good.” Quinn nodded to his security lieutenant before dropping the bags in front of Rowan’s door. He extended his hand and took the new keycard from Christopher before handing it over to Rowan. She looked surprised when she found the high-tech reader affixed to the front of the door.

  “What is this?”

  “It’s new. It requires a keycard and thumbprint.” Quinn indicated a small plastic disc on the side of the scanner. “It’s been programmed for you. If you want, you can add me to the mix, but it’s entirely up to you. You’re the one who has to okay the procedure and only you can authorize additional prints.”

  Rowan widened her eyes, amused. “You thought I would want to keep you out?”

  “I thought you would feel better about letting me in yourself.”

  “Ah.” Rowan nodded her head sagely. “We’re back to that control thing.”

  “Basically.”

  Rowan tried the keycard in the lock and pressed her thumb against the plastic disc. She smiled when it clicked, allowing her to push open the door and gasp at the changes that had been made in her absence. “What the ... ?”

  Quinn gathered the bags and carried them over the threshold before dropping them a second time. Sally and Christopher remained on the other side of the door, but Quinn was in no mood to share this experience with a bunch of looky-loos. Instead he smiled at them both and then shut the door despite the indignant look on Sally’s face. He would pay for that later, but he was desperate to keep this interaction private.

  “What do you think?”

  Rowan steadily circled her room. She couldn’t wrap her head around what Quinn had managed to do in such a short amount of time. “You had the walls painted ... and carpet replaced ... and new bedding delivered.”

  “I did,” Quinn confirmed, bobbing his head. “I thought that would make you feel more comfortable.”

  “Than what?”

  “Ro, I know that you were bothered beyond belief that someone made it inside your inner sanctum. That’s a violation. I was upset, too. I thought, if the room felt new, you could put that behind you.”

  “Were you honestly that worried I would spend all my time dwelling on it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, that just proves you know me.” Rowan heaved out a sigh as she glanced around. “I can’t believe you arranged for all of this.”

  “I want you to be happy.” That was the truth. Quinn felt it in his bones. “That’s what I want more than anything. That’s also why I got you this.” He reached inside the bag he’d dropped and drew out the new camera. “I know it’s not the same. I’m sorry for that. Still, you can start new memories with this one. It’s yours.”

  “That you bought for me.”

  “I’m not going to apologize for that.”

  Rowan turned a watery smile in his direction as she accepted the camera. “Thank you for all of this. I don’t know what to say.”

  “I don’t want you to say anything. I simply want you to be happy.”

  “You make me happy.”

  “Good.” Quinn opened his arms so she could step inside them. “I was worried you would think it was invasive for me to do this, but I really wanted to make sure you were comfortable. More than anything, I want you to feel safe.”

  “I feel safe whenever I’m with you.”

  “Good.” Quinn gave her a soft kiss, taking a moment to stare into her eyes before grinning. “Now, you have all new sheets. The bed is the same, but I still think the sheets are begging to be broken in.”

  Rowan’s laugh was so warm, so gregarious, that Quinn couldn’t help but join in. “I see you’ve thought this out.”

  “You have no idea.”

  “So ... let’s break in the sheets.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “Then, after that, we’ll go over those photographs we forgot to check earlier.”

  “You’re the boss.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  17

  Seventeen

  However reticent she was in the beginning, Rowan couldn’t avoid the lure of the new camera. After thanking Quinn rather profusely for all the work he did — and spending an hour where it was just the two of them, no words necessary — Rowan insisted on showering and taking the camera to the deck.

  “I need to practice.”

  Quinn, who had other ideas how he wanted to spend his afternoon and evening, merely shook his head. “Aren’t you a professional photographer? Haven’t you already practiced?”

  Rowan shot him a withering look. “You’re so funny.”

  “I like to think so.”

  “It’s a new camera.”

  “I know. I was there to make the purchase.”

  “It’s a new camera,” Rowan persisted. “Each camera has its own personality ... and little quirks. I need to learn the quirks before I start taking professional photographs tomorrow. I have to be as good with this camera as I was before with the other camera ... and I had that other camera
for more than a decade.”

  Quinn stared at her for a long beat, momentarily wondering if this was some elaborate hoax to keep him from taking a nap. Finally, he shrugged and climbed out of bed. “Fine. We’ll take photos. I need to check with my people anyway. I guess it’s time to return to the real world.”

  Rowan took pity on him, his hangdog expression stirring her heart. “We can take a second vacation tonight,” she offered, grinning when his eyes gleamed with interest. “It can be a totally separate vacation and one that involves all manner of dirty things. I just ... well ... I can’t help it. I want to take some photos.”

  “We could take photos here.”

  Rowan made an exaggerated face. “I don’t want the first photos I take with my new camera to be capable of convicting us on pornography charges.”

  Quinn laughed so hard at her earnest expression he had trouble catching his breath. “Fine, Ro. I honestly do have to check in with my guys. If you’re so desperate to take new photos, I’m going to take that as a win because I know how upset you were about losing the other camera.”

  “I’m still upset about that. This camera is beautiful, however, and I’ll think of you whenever I use it.”

  “That was the plan.” Quinn offered an exaggerated wink. “I want you thinking about me as much as possible.”

  Rowan didn’t want to smile — it would only encourage him, after all — but she couldn’t stop herself. “You would be intolerable if you weren’t so stinking cute. You know that, right?”

  “I’m well aware.”

  “I love the camera.” Rowan was sincere. “It’s just ... I’m going to miss the other camera. I can’t help it. I have very little left from my childhood. That seems like another life to me. The camera was the most tangible tie I had. Without it ... .” She broke off, unsure how to proceed.

  “You feel adrift,” Quinn finished for her.

  “It’s not that.” Rowan vehemently shook her head. “You anchor me now. I could never feel adrift while I have you at my side. It does feel like a sign, though. My whole life has become about signs because of what I can see in the photos. The fact that the last gift my father gave me before he disappeared went missing right around the time my last hope of seeing him disappeared feels somehow pointed.”