Vann’s phone chimed. When he got it out he saw the four messages from Drew from the night before. And one from Bryce that had just arrived.
Learn anything about SV?
Tension gripped him. It offended him that Bryce was so convinced that Sophie was the spy. As if Bryce had accused Vann himself.
Nothing, he texted back. Not her. One hundred percent sure of that.
He could feel Bryce’s irritation in the quickness of the man’s response.
Didn’t try too hard, did you?
Vann texted back rapidly. Malcolm invited her to the wedding to interpret for the Zhangs. Suspend everything. You’re barking up the wrong tree. Look elsewhere.
Wrong tree, my ass, Bryce texted back. SV at P Point this weekend is perfect. We’ll settle this. I’ll call a meeting with Malcolm, Hendrick, Drew and SV when you get to P Point. Do not tip her off.
Don’t do this, Vann texted. Not at the wedding. Not the place or time.
Bryce did not respond. Shit.
“Vann?”
He looked up at the sound of Sophie’s voice, and thumbed the app closed. “Yes?”
“The others are waiting in the car,” she said. “Time to go.”
“On my way.” He slid his phone into his pocket and followed her.
Sylvia was in the lobby, looking harassed as always. “There you are! I had them go ahead and load your luggage. Malcolm is getting agitated!”
Vann suppressed a rude suggestion about what Malcolm could do with his agitation. “Thanks, Sylvia,” he said. “I appreciate your help.”
“Thank God someone does,” Sylvia snapped.
The one free spot in the limo was right next to Sophie. Her sweet scent was dangerously overstimulating. Drew sat in the front, while Hendrick, the Zhangs and Malcolm were in the other car.
“They don’t need me to interpret over there?” Sophie asked.
“Zhang’s grandson can manage,” Drew said. “At the wedding he’ll probably do most of the interpreting for his grandfather, anyway. You won’t have to work like you did these last couple days. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy yourself.”
Sophie looked doubtful. “Ah. Well, in that case, should I even go at all?”
“Yes, by all means,” Drew urged. “For backup. Just in case. At this point, my uncle would pitch a fit if you pulled out. You can be Vann’s plus-one. He’s always throwing off the seating arrangements by refusing to bring a date.”
Sophie gave Vann a quick, teasing glance and patted his knee. That tiny brush of contact made his heart race and his face flush.
Bryce could not be allowed to mess with her. He’d never met anyone so clear and honest and real, and he was going to make damn sure all the people who counted knew it.
But it made his guts chill to think how Sophie would feel if she knew that doubts had been cast on her character. She’d feel mortified and betrayed.
If he could shield her from that, he would. If he was careful, she might never even know.
* * *
They were picked up at the Sea-Tac Airport by another pair of limos, and they set off straight to Paradise Point. As they drove, Sophie pondered the relative merits of the two cocktail dresses she’d brought, longing for fresh wardrobe options. Neither dress was perfect for the occasion, but that was just too damn bad. She’d probably go with the dusty-pink one with the chiffon wrap.
Her phone beeped, and she checked it. It was a message from Tim Bryce.
Heard you were going to be at Paradise Point. Calling a quick emergency meeting this morning before the rehearsal dinner. See you there. Tim.
She looked at Vann. “No rest for the wicked, I’m afraid. Tim called a meeting. Five o’clock. What could possibly be so urgent, I wonder.”
“Count me out,” Drew said. “I’ve been waiting to see Jenna for days. The minute I get to Paradise Point, I’m officially unavailable until after the honeymoon.”
“Right,” Vann said. “The rest of us grunts can pick up the slack.”
“Don’t even try to guilt me.” Drew grinned widely over his shoulder. “Wasted effort. I’m too buzzed to notice or care.”
The car had turned onto a long driveway through a blaze of spectacular spring wildflowers. Evening sunshine slanted through them, lighting up the blossoms like stained glass, glinting around the edges of the clouds over the ocean.
The entrance to the Paradise Point Resort was a glassed-in reception hall with a wooden roof made of big interlocking geometric triangles. A wall of glass at the end of the building looked out on a terrace, the grounds and the ocean cliffs.
Malcolm turned to them. “I’ve been told that Tim Bryce just called a meeting, God knows why. The resort has kindly made the southwest conference room available to us. The rehearsal dinner begins in less than two hours, so let’s get this dealt with.”
Tim Bryce was waiting in the conference room. He jumped up as they came in.
“Congratulations, sir,” he said to Malcolm. “I heard the negotiations went well.”
“They were fine,” Malcolm snapped. “So what in God’s name is so important that it can’t wait until next week?”
“Ah, well, sir, when I learned that Mr. Zhang was here, it occurred to me that now was the best opportunity to show him the latest eco-engineering that Drew’s team developed for the Johannesburg project,” Tim said. “There’s a lot of overlap. We’ve been keeping them in the vault until the new security technology is in place, but being able to show them to Mr. Zhang was worth the risk.” He indicated the laptop on the table. “So here they are.”
“And this couldn’t have waited until after the rehearsal dinner?”
“I thought it was better to know right away, so that you could schedule—”
“Thanks, Tim.” Malcolm snatched up the laptop. “I’ll take this for safekeeping.” He looked at Sophie. “Our interpreter will make herself available to discuss these plans with Mr. Zhang whenever we can carve out a free hour.”
“Of course, sir,” she assured him.
“Excellent. Sylvia has your number. She’ll let you know when we need you.” He clapped his hands. “So! We’re done, correct? Or is there more?”
“That was the main issue, but I also—”
“Good. Then let’s get ready for this rehearsal dinner.” Malcolm squinted at Sophie. “You come, too. You’re Vann’s plus-one.”
“Me?” she said, alarmed. “Why? Do I need to interpret? Will Mr. Zhang be there?”
“No, he’ll be resting,” Malcolm said. “Come to the dinner, anyway.”
“But I barely know the groom, and I’ve never even met the bride!”
“You’re Vann’s plus-one, and I want you there,” Malcolm said testily. “Don’t be late.” He stomped out, the laptop clutched under his arm.
Sophie turned to Vann. “This is awkward. A rehearsal dinner is an intimate gathering. It’s already strange that I’m at this wedding at all.”
“Don’t bother arguing,” Vann advised. “You’ll only hurt yourself. And don’t worry about the crowd. They’re all nice people, and they understand how Malcolm is. You’ll like them.”
“I’d better go make myself decent,” Sophie said.
“I’ll be waiting for you in the front hall at eight thirty,” he told her.
She gave him a grateful smile and set off, consulting the map of the grounds the reception staff had given her. She was in number 82, the Fireweed Cabin. Wooden walkways led out from the main reception hall like the branches of a tree out from the trunk, each winding branch leading to a cluster of individualized cabins.
It was a beautiful walk. The wooden pathway led around jagged rock formations, ferns sprouting below the walkway, vines and flowers sprawling over the wooden boards. Flowers were everywhere. Much of the walkway was shaded with huge, fragrant pines and firs, and stunted, w
ind-twisted madrone trees. The sinking sun outlined the clouds with shining gold, and the sea’s constant roar in the distance filled her ear.
She found the Fireweed Cabin, unlocked the door—and jerked back with a gasp.
Someone was already inside.
The woman shrieked, dropping something on the floor. “Oh, God! You scared me half to death!”
Sophie looked at the number written on her card. “Excuse me, but my card envelope says 82. Am I in the wrong room? This is 82, right? Fireweed Cabin?”
“Yes, it is, and no, you are not in the wrong room.” The woman was young and rosy-cheeked with a high, bouncing blond ponytail. “I’m resort staff.”
Sophie registered the maroon jacket and black pants, as well as the name tag on the woman’s ample chest. “Oh. I see. I’m sorry I startled you.”
“Not at all,” the woman said. “I gave you a scare, too, I imagine. I was just bringing your bags to your room from the reception hall.”
Sophie realized belatedly that the stuff spread over the bed were her own clothes. “Why are my things out on the bed?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry about that.” The woman gave her an anxious smile. “Your garment bag slid off the luggage cart and fell into one of the swampy bits. It rained last night, see, and there’s some bits that don’t drain very well. Your bag got mud on it, so I was just getting your things out and making sure they were okay before water seeped through and stained them. I know it’s kind of strange, but I figured, if it was me, I’d prefer having my stuff rescued than finding a wardrobe crisis on my hands.”
“I see.” The woman’s name tag read “Julie,” she saw as she came inside. She leaned to touch the garment bag, unzipped on the floor. It was sodden, as Julie had said.
“I took a washrag and sponged off the mud,” Julie explained. “I’m so sorry this happened. I hope you don’t mind me taking the liberty of trying to save your clothes.”
“No, I guess I appreciate the effort,” she said. “Did anything get ruined?”
“No, thank God.” Julie’s toothy smile blazed at full wattage. “Everything seems just fine! Shall I hang your clothes up for you?”
“No, thanks,” Sophie said. “I’ll take it from here. Have a nice evening.”
“You, too!” Julie crouched down and grabbed a smartphone up off the floor, slipping it into her pants pocket. “Sorry. I was so startled I dropped it when you came in.”
Sophie watched the woman leave with mixed feelings. She didn’t care for having her private things handled by a stranger, but in Julie’s position, she might have made the same call, even if it was an invasion of privacy.
Sophie draped the sodden garment bag over the luggage rack to dry and hung her clothes up. She’d thought she was overdoing it when she packed three days ago. Now she wished she’d brought a much wider selection.
She took a quick shower, then let her hair down and shook it loose. The tight twist gave it enough curl and movement so that it looked quasi-styled. She put on the bronze knit top and white flounced silk skirt that she’d worn yesterday. Drew, Malcolm and Vann had already seen it, but if she wanted a fresh dress for the wedding, she had to recycle this one tonight.
After freshening up her makeup, dabbing on perfume and sliding on her heels, she was ready. Malcolm had insisted, so there was no help for it.
Time to crash her long-lost cousin’s wedding.
Twelve
Vann lingered by the entrance to the dining room, keeping his eyes trained on the walkway outside. Sophie was already at a disadvantage tonight. He wasn’t letting her walk into a room full of strangers all alone.
Tim Bryce strolled in, caught sight of Vann and started toward him.
Hmm. This might get interesting.
The other man stopped at a safe distance. “You’re not doing yourself any favors, you know.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Vann asked.
Bryce smiled thinly. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
Vann’s hands had balled into fists. He forced them to relax. “What you’re doing is a pointless waste of time and resources. I’ve already told you it’s not her. This is supposed to be a celebration. Do not mess it up.”
“I won’t ruin Drew’s precious wedding,” Bryce said. “I’ll be discreet. The fallout can wait.” He gave Vann a meaningful look. “Unless you tip her off, that is.”
Rage made the hair prickle on his neck. “What are you implying?”
Bryce shrugged. “It just seems strange. You’ve been her biggest champion, from the very start. You really, really don’t want it to be her. And anyone with half a brain could figure out why. That makes your judgment suspect.”
“She doesn’t need a champion,” Vann said through his teeth.
“Well, be that as it may. You’d better not say anything to her. Because she’s the one, Vann. There’s no doubt in my mind. The truth will come out, and when it does, you’ll be implicated. And it will not go well for you.”
Vann’s jaw ached. “Whatever you’re plotting, she won’t take the bait.”
“Shhh.” Bryce’s gaze fixed over Vann’s shoulder, at someone behind him.
“Good evening, gentlemen.” It was Sophie’s voice, coming up behind him.
Vann turned around. The sight of her was like a punch to the chest. Her gold-kissed skin, her luxurious hair swirling loose, those let-me-fall-into-your-infinitely-deep eyes. She wore the same outfit as yesterday, and he liked it even better tonight. Her smiling lips shone with a shimmery, gold-toned lipstick. She looked like a goddess.
He caught the expression on Bryce’s face as the man looked away. That knowing smirk, like Bryce had something over him. Bastard.
“Hey, Tim,” Sophie said. “Are you coming to the rehearsal dinner, too?”
“No, not me,” Bryce replied. “I’m just out here waiting for my son Richard. He drove up from LA, and should be arriving soon. He and I are having dinner later on.”
“Oh. So your son knows Drew?” she asked.
“They went to high school together,” Bryce told her. “Now Richard works on CGI for a movie studio down in Hollywood.”
“That’s wonderful,” Sophie said. “I look forward to meeting him tomorrow.”
Bryce turned a meaningful gaze on Vann. “Have a good time at the rehearsal dinner. Remember what I said. Not one word.” He nodded at Sophie, and walked away.
Sophie gazed after him, puzzled. “What was that about?”
Vann shook his head. “Nothing,” he muttered. “Just some accounting stuff. Shall we go on in?” He offered her his arm.
She took it, smiling. “Thanks for waiting for me.”
Vann introduced her to people as they circled the table. Bev, Hendrick’s wife. Jenna, the bride. Then Ava, Drew’s sister, and Cherise, one of Jenna’s bridesmaids.
Sophie was seated between Vann and Cherise. Today Cherise was sporting a bright purple and crimson forelock that dangled playfully between her eyes. She had a mechanical arm decorated with flashing accent lights, and it seemed to do anything she wanted it to do. Cherise had gotten her bionic arm from Jenna’s foundation, Arm’s Reach. She’d since become one of Jenna’s closest friends. Several other people Vann had met from Jenna’s foundation were also at the table.
“Nice work, Vann,” Cherise said, eyeing Sophie with approval. “She’s a hottie. Let me load you guys up with some of this fabulous bubbly.” She poured everyone champagne, demonstrating total mastery of her state-of-the-art prosthetic. Sophie couldn’t help but be in awe.
His friends toasted Cherise’s progress while giving him and Sophie that considering look. Drew must have said something to Jenna about them and God only knew what Jenna had said, and to whom.
Fortunately, Cherise kept Sophie too busy to notice the speculative glances.
By the end of th
e meal, after numerous touching speeches, toasts and roasts, everyone in the room was buzzed on excellent food and fine wine, and Sophie was talking and laughing with his friends as if she’d known them for years. He’d never seen her this way before. He’d only ever seen her in work mode, cool and focused, or else alone with him.
He could just stare for hours, but people would notice. Hell, they already had.
Sophie looked as if she belonged in the wedding party. He wished he could enjoy himself as much as she seemed to, but Bryce’s scheming made him tense.
He felt cheated. He was in a beautiful place, surrounded by the people he loved most in the world, in the company of the most sexy, fascinating woman he’d ever encountered.
It would have been perfect, if someone hadn’t been trying to prove that his new lover was a liar, a thief and a spy. And warning her about it would only make it worse.
No matter how he sliced it, it felt like betrayal.
* * *
Sophie was surprised at how much fun she was having. This was her first real opportunity to observe Ava and Drew Maddox at close range, and she liked them. Ava and Jenna made a big effort to draw her out, and she let them do it.
Everyone was so warm and welcoming. They really seemed to care about each other. And she had more in common with her cousins than she’d thought. They were all orphans, since Drew and Ava had lost their parents in a plane crash when they were in their teens. But Malcolm had looked after them, in his gruff, clumsy way, and they had turned out fine. It seemed like a wonderful family to belong to.
She wondered if that would change if she came forward with her claim. If they would close ranks against her. It was a painful thought and hard to imagine now, with everyone so relaxed and happy because of the wedding.
Except for Vann, for some reason. Vann was unusually quiet, and his expression was grim. As the dinner began to wind down, and people started pushing their chairs back to leave, Drew stood up.
“Public service announcement, everyone,” he said. “Jenna and I arranged for perfect weather for you all. The moon’s almost full, there’s no rain and not much wind. Perfect night for a walk on the beach. That’s where we’ll be. You’re welcome.”
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