Phoebe dropped her sunglasses over her eyes and returned to her magazine. “Now that’s settled, I have a surprise for you later.”
“Surprise?” Chloe’s head jerked up. “What is it?”
“If I told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”
Chloe twisted her lips. “I hate surprises.”
“I know. But this one, you will love.”
Loving surprises was a thing of the past for Chloe. So much had happened in a year. So much had changed. Before, Chloe’s life had been simple, quiet. Being surprised had a whole different meaning for her.
Although this trip was to celebrate Chloe’s birthday, this was her first birthday since her mother’s death. Every birthday, Mom surprised Chloe with an extravagant dinner party or a trip. Now with her mom gone, so were her surprises.
Then Chloe got another surprise, yet again, ripping her heart out with Luke and Reyna. Shortly after that, her assault in the park and the aftermath nightmares that went along with it. And what’s with the sudden flashes? She wanted peace, her head to be clear, and surprises were not something Chloe looked forward to on this trip.
Her mind wandered to the postcards she’d tossed in the junk-mail basket at home, among the coupons, flyers and random items Phoebe and Chloe held onto, just in case. At the end of each month, the women sifted through it and threw out what wasn’t needed.
The day before they left for their trip, an envelope had arrived for Chloe. No return address and enclosed was a photo of her and her mom at their favorite restaurant. She remembered this day because it was Mom’s birthday, the week before she died.
A red marker circled Chloe’s face. Nothing else, no note and no indication who it was from. Chloe probed for the meaning behind the photo. Just thinking about it sent icy shivers of panic down her back.
Were the postcards related to this picture?
She wanted to tell her dad but didn’t want to alarm him. So she told herself she would tell him the moment they got back. Having this bit of information would’ve definitely pushed Dad over the edge and then driven Chloe to drink. To make matters worse, he most likely would have twenty-four-hour protective service.
That was the last thing Chloe wanted. A bodyguard, watching her every move. Creepy. It was careless of her to think this way. Dad only wanted to protect his child.
Why was she thinking about this now? She couldn’t ignore the discomforting feeling irking her and sending shivers along her neck. But sitting poolside gave her some comfort knowing whoever mailed the postcards and the photo was thousands of miles away.
She needed to get a grip.
Chloe knew Phoebe went above and beyond to make this vacation memorable and she refused to be a Debbie Downer. Phoebe set up their itinerary with ziplining, parasailing, sightseeing, rum-tastings and even a spa day, which Chloe was looking forward to.
Her eyes wandered to the dock leading out to the bluest ocean, where a speedboat, two jet skis and her grandfather’s luxury yacht, Serenity, floated on the calm waves. She remembered the day her papa bought the vessel and told her the story of why he named it Serenity.
Chloe had a lot of her nana’s characteristics, at least that’s what her papa told her. Nana was larger than life, beautiful and always thought of others before herself. They were married for fifty-nine years until Nana passed away from a heart attack at eighty-one. Then a year later, her papa passed away to be with his angel in heaven. Their love was epic, a true love story, in life and in death. Not unlike Allie and Noah in The Notebook, loving each other till the end.
Chloe’s thoughts of them and their love chased the niggling fear away, sending a new sensation right through her core. How she longed for some of her nana’s wisdom now, her papa’s strength. How had they done it? How did they know?
Chloe hoped for their kind of love someday. She longed for it, someone to surrender herself completely to. She not only wanted a loyal man, as her papa was to her nana, but also the passion, the desire. Things she read in her books.
Would she ever find a love like theirs?
Chloe shook her head.
Maybe Phoebe was right, the true-love façade, the knight in shining armor was long gone. One thing was for sure, Chloe needed to get her head out of the clouds and come back down to earth.
Julian’s head appeared from below deck of Serenity.
Oh. Holy. Hell!
Chloe’s pulse quickened at the sight of his naked torso. He was irresistible. She took in his tempting and magnificent physique.
Butterflies swarmed in her belly when her eyes roamed from his rippled abs to the ever-so-sexy ‘V’ that disappeared in his tan cargo shorts. His bronzed skin glistened. His broad shoulders and muscles bulged, tugging the ropes, wires and the mainsail. Wearing aviator glasses, dark hair and a shadow of his bristled jaw sent an electric current of lust straight to her sex.
Chloe licked her lips and bit her fingernail, imagining herself engulfed in Julian’s arms.
The warmth of his skin against her back. His arm wrapped around her waist as his hand slowly moved downward, slipping beneath her bikini, his fingers making their way down to her folds. With his free hand he untied the string around her neck, letting the bikini top fall free. Julian’s hand cupped her mounds as his fingers pinched her nipple. She was a prisoner to him with no plan for a jailbreak. His mouth, using his tongue sent an aching to her apex. She tilted her head, giving Julian better access to the oh-so-sensitive spot just behind her ear. His delicate touch made her inhale sharply.
He whispered in her hair, “It’s time for your surprise…”
“Wake up, it’s time for your surprise.” Phoebe shook Chloe’s shoulders.
Coming back to reality, Chloe gasped and opened her eyes. “How long have I been sleeping?”
“About an hour.” Phoebe hovered over her, blocking the sun.
Chloe squinted her eyes toward the boat where she last saw Julian. “That was the best nap ever.”
“If I were to guess, you were dreaming of that sexy Latin lollipop over there.” Phoebe hiked her thumb over her shoulder towards Julian. “He’s all kinds of yummy, flaunting his abs in front of us.”
“I would love to wake up to that sight every morning.” Chloe slapped her mouth with her hand. “Did I say that out loud?”
“Ha! I knew you would see it my way.” Phoebe took a sip from a water bottle, turning to gawk at the shirtless man along with Chloe.
A high-pitched voice interrupted the women’s glare. “What up, my ladies.” Ryland rushed through the double doors from the kitchen with arms raised. She always did showcase her entry and Chloe was definitely surprised to see her.
“Aaahh! Ryland!” Chloe screamed and jumped from her chair. She ran to the stunning sandy-blond woman wearing a purple sundress and sunglasses covering half her face. The women hugged like their lives depended on it. Then Chloe let go. “Holy shit! You’re here! You’re really here!”
“Surprise-surprise,” Ryland sang. “I couldn’t pass up celebrating my bestie’s thirtieth birthday.”
“You sneaky little bitch!” Chloe nudged Phoebe’s shoulder. “I love this surprise.”
“I knew you would.” Phoebe affectionately put her arm around Ryland’s shoulders.
Ryland slid her sunglasses down her nose, eyes on the boat. “Who is the deliciousness over there?”
“Calm your wet britches,” Phoebe told Ryland. “That hottie belongs to Chloe.”
“Damn, you’ve only been here for a day and you’ve already claimed him?” Ryland placed her hand on her hip. “No fair.”
“I did not claim him,” Chloe cut in. “Phoebe is trying to set us up.”
“And? What’s the problem?”
“Ry, you’re not supposed to take sides.” Chloe’s lips puckered with annoyance. “I told her last night, I don’t want to start something that isn’t going anywhere.”
“If you hook up with that hottie, you will be going somewhere!”
“For Christ’s sake, no
t you too. Aren’t you supposed to be neutral, like Switzerland? And speaking of, how’s your Swiss hottie?”
Ryland let out a deep breath. “We’re done… Switzerland and I are history,” Ryland brushed off. “I think it’s time I come back home.”
“Seriously?” Phoebe’s eyes brightened, releasing Ryland’s shoulders. “Back home?”
Chloe titled her head. “I thought you loved it there.”
“I did, I do… The director informed me of two offices opening in Rhode Island and Oakland. I asked for a transfer, but since I was up for a promotion, he made me an offer and I accepted.”
“That’s awesome!” Phoebe clapped her hands in celebration. “So, when do you move back home?”
“Before the holidays.”
Chloe had a feeling that Ryland was hiding something. “Why the rush? Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy you’ll be coming back but last I heard, you were so in love with the country and what’s his name—”
“Eli,” Ryland said with sadness in her voice.
“And now you’re going to leave him? Just like that?” Chloe asked.
“I broke Eli’s heart. He deserves better than me. I royally screwed it up.” Ryland took a deep breath. “I ran into an old friend who was in town on business. We had an innocent dinner to catch up. Dinner didn’t turn out so innocent by the end of the night. One too many drinks. One thing led to another… Eli saw him leaving my apartment the next morning, confronted me about it.”
Shocked, Chloe stared at Ryland. Like Chloe, Ryland was just as prim and proper. At least Chloe thought so. Maybe being in another country had changed Ryland, or maybe it was the old friend.
“Well, holy hell,” Phoebe chimed. “Welcome to the dark side, my friend.”
“Who is this old friend?” Chloe asked.
“His name’s Jacob.”
“You never mentioned him before,” Chloe said.
“College. I had feelings for him, but never told him. He dropped out sophomore year. He left without a goodbye and I was so pissed. A month later, I got a letter from him. He had inherited his dad’s ranch in Montana and needed to help his mother. He wanted me to come and see him. But I didn’t want to.” Ryland took a seat on the lounge chair. The women sat on either side of her.
“There I was, grabbing some produce at the supermarket, and we ran into each other, literally. He looked amazing.” Ryland sighed. “I thought I was over him, but all the old feelings rushed back. At dinner, he asked me if I received his letter since I never replied. He said he had feelings for me, and he wanted to tell me in person. He’d waited for me to come out. But I took too long.”
“So, what now?” Phoebe asked. “Is Jacob back in your life?”
“No. It was a one-night stand… An unbelievable one-night stand.”
“At least you have that. I’m still waiting for my unbelievable one night,” Chloe said, her head falling to Ryland’s shoulder.
“I see a man over there who looks like he can give you just that.”
Chloe turned to Julian standing on the dock. He was on the phone, staring at the ocean. His cargo shorts hung low on his hips, hugging his perfect ass, sending electric pleasure to every fiber in Chloe’s body.
Damn, even his backside is to die for.
“Anyway, I don’t want to move back in with my parents,” Ryland said, tearing Chloe from her sudden trance. “Feel like scouring the area for me to find a place to live?”
“We have the third bedroom.” Chloe looked to Phoebe for a confirmation she knew she’d get.
“Abso-fuckin-lutely,” Phoebe declared.
“Say no more.” Chloe grinned. “It’s yours.”
“Who are the screaming hyenas?” Rocky asked on the other end of the line. “Sounds like you’re at a beach party instead of working.”
“One of Chloe’s friends just arrived. Blonde, about five-seven. I heard Chloe scream her name—Ryland?” Booker glanced at the women by the pool.
“Oh, yes…Ryland O’Hare. What’s not to know? She’s the daughter of Gregory O’Hare, founder of O’Hare Financial Enterprises. She didn’t want to be part of the family business. Instead, got her PhD in biochemistry and landed a job as an investigator in clinical trials. She’s been living in Switzerland for the last two years. Both parents still married, living in a massive home in Pacific Heights. Let’s see…youngest of three brothers, Jax, Kason and Telis, who by the way are all single and fine as hell. Should I go on?”
“No need.” Booker stifled a smirk. “Can we get back to Chloe? What else did you find out?”
Booker had suggested she check the women’s apartment for anything that could possibly help with the case. Since nothing in the file revealed who and why this maniac was after Chloe, maybe something there would indicate a possible lead.
“Those women really need a better deadbolt. It took me all of five seconds to pick the lock and be in before anyone noticed.” Booker pictured Rocky with a proud grin plastered on her face. “I did find something. Sending you pictures now.”
A ping sounded on Booker’s phone and he swiped it open to the image.
What the hell…
His eyes narrowed at each new photo that came through. “That idiot mailed those postcards and picture? Do you think she knows who the assclown is?”
“Not sure. They were thrown in a basket full of junk mail. My guess? She doesn’t have a clue or she’s hiding it,” Rocky answered with serious calmness. “I also found some documents in Chloe’s room from the charity events. The figures are fuckin’ nuts. Millions donated to the Concrete Angels Foundation. Their projects receive a ton of support from politicians and people in high places, impressive list of names. I didn’t realize the Channings were well connected—”
“The charity event a couple of years ago.”
“Huh?”
Booker sighed. Shit. He couldn’t have kept that tidbit to himself?
“That’s where I first met Chloe,” he said, knowing Rocky would find out anyway.
“Is that why you wanted this case?”
“I didn’t say—”
“Jesus, Booker. Does she remember you?”
“I don’t think so. When I picked her up at the airport, she didn’t give me any indication she did. I’m guessing amnesia knocked that memory from her. I don’t expect her to remember me. Not like we had some mind-blowing conversation.” That’s a lie. He wouldn’t mention he still remembered every fantastic detail. “And if she did, the backup plan was to tell her the charity event was a onetime gig for me.”
“Sucks some of her memory was wiped. You think she may get it back? Something tucked in that brain of hers could potentially break this case wide open.”
“Not sure she’ll get anything back.”
Booker peered toward Chloe, sitting on the lounge chair talking to her friends. Her hair fluttered from the gentle wind as she pushed a strand behind her ear. He wanted nothing more than to take away any fear she harbored.
His brows furrowed, questioning her as if she could answer.
Do you know you’re in danger? If so, why haven’t you said anything? Should I tell you who I am? Booker shook his head. No, that’s absurd. She’ll freak, and I will for sure lose her. Stick. To. The. Plan.
“Earth to Booker… Are you still there?”
“Sorry, Roc, I’m here…what’d you say?”
“Since Sarah Channing is dead, Chloe is the sole executor of the funds to be distributed to the various projects across the nation.”
“What does this have to do with the case?”
“It’s a hunch, hear me out…what if the unsub is after the money? First Sarah was the executor and now Chloe…it’s the common denominator.”
“Since you found the financials, have Tyco start working on the guests, then their colleagues from the hospital, volunteers and paid staff on this project.”
The fact that the unsub was still incognito, and they were still at square one troubled Booker. Rocky stumbling over the fi
nancial documents was a good lead, the best lead they’d gotten. Booker’s operative assignment was security detail the night he met Chloe. Aside from their brief encounter, the evening was fuzzy. It was futile trying to recollect the people she came in contact with.
“One more thing, I also found a letter from most likely an ex-boyfriend…a Luke Jensen. Coincidently, the letter was dated two days before her attack. Sounded like a gnarly break-up.”
“She had a boyfriend?” He rubbed his outgrowing beard. “I wasn’t aware. There’s nothing noted in her file. Why would Tyco leave that out?”
“Yup. The two dated for several months and broke up after the new year. Apparently, Chloe dumped him after she caught him screwing one of the nurses. I looked into his background and I don’t think he’s the unsub. But Tyco’ll keep an eye on him regardless. My guess is, it’s someone connected to the foundation. Who else could it be?”
“I think you’re onto something,” Booker commended as he watched a seagull fly over him.
“Hey, Book…I gotta ask. Since when did we become detectives? Our role was only to shadow her.”
“We’re still doing our job. But there’s something about this case. If we figure out who the unsub is, I can protect her better.” Booker set the toolbox on the dock then stared out to the ocean. “By the way, how’d your assignment go with Lincoln?”
“Mission successful. We recovered at least thirty women in a container at the Long Beach ports. The women were held captive for a good month. I have never been so pissed and sad at the same time. When we opened the metal box, it reeked of urine, shit and god knows what else.”
“Bastards.”
“To top it off, Knox is being questioned by Agent Maggio from the FBI, wondering how the leader and his two pansy-ass sidekicks got bullets lodged in their brains.”
“Sounds like a clean shot from a damn good sniper.”
“I don’t mean to brag, but those dickwods deserved it. I wish they’d suffered a slow death rather than my one-and-done clean shot between their eyes. The poor bastards didn’t know what hit ’em.”
“How was working with Lincoln for the first time?”
Till I Found You: The Broken Hero Series—Book One Page 7