“I look forward to trying them then.” Elise sighed, and a new heaviness seemed to settle on her as she shifted beside him. “I know I’ve already said this, but I’m sorry for bringing you into this.”
“You didn’t bring me into anything, Elise. In fact, if anything, you were the one I dragged into this whole situation. You didn’t sign up for any of this.”
“I suppose I did when I married Daniel.”
“All he wanted was to keep you safe.”
“I know he did.” Her voice trailed off with grief.
“I am sorry about everything you’ve gone through over the past year.” Colton truly was. Every time he saw her tears, it was enough to break him.
“This isn’t the way I saw my future with Daniel going. But it’s like I tell my patients, there are very few things we’re promised in this life. The best thing that we can do for ourselves is to be grateful for the circumstances we have, to find whatever light we can in what might seem like complete darkness.”
“That sounds like great advice.”
“It’s true advice too. A grateful heart can go a long way. The challenge is because sometimes we want to live in the past, especially when we’ve lost things important to us and they remain in that space.”
They pulled to a stop in front of a cheerful restaurant with yellow painted bricks and pink shutters. The sign on the outside read “The Crazy Chefette” and featured a cartoonish image of a blonde woman in a lab coat holding a beaker in one hand and a spatula in the other. Under the business name were the words “Mad Food Created by a Crazy Woman.”
Colton climbed out and came around to her door. As Elise stepped into the frigid winter air, she glanced around.
Was her attacker here? Was he watching, waiting for the right opportunity to pounce?
Her throat tightened at the thought.
But as Colton’s arm brushed hers, she remembered that her temporary protector was here, sheltering her. She knew without a doubt Colton would give his life to keep her safe. That was an attribute she was more than grateful for.
Elise just hated the fact she’d put him in danger. If something happened to him or his team, she’d never forgive herself.
* * *
Somehow Colton and Elise ended up in a booth by themselves while Dez, Griff, and Ty sat in another booth behind them. The place was full, and there were no tables big enough for all of them. It was just as well. Colton would never complain about having more time to talk to Elise alone.
After they ordered their drinks—sweet tea for both of them—Elise glanced around the restaurant and gave an approving nod. “This is cute. I like it.”
Satisfaction stretched through him, compounded by the alluring scent of Old Bay and sizzling homemade potato chips. “I thought you might. Grilled cheese and peaches are Lisa’s specialty, but anything you order will be good.”
“I have to admit I’m in the mood for some comfort food. Roast beef and mashed potatoes? Check, check.” She leaned toward the menu and squinted. “Actually, that’s roast beef with dried fruit, applesauce, and siracha.”
“You’ll like it.” Colton winked. “I promise. Lisa hasn’t let me down yet.”
“Then I’m going to trust you on that.” Elise closed her menu and glanced around the restaurant again. “It just seems so surreal to be here right now.”
“It seems surreal to me that you’re here.”
“It is like old times, huh?” She tilted her head, a nostalgic look in her gaze. “I thought this chapter of my life was permanently closed.”
Colton wanted to say that it was. That she was safe and free to be happy. But he’d be lying if he told her that.
Still, he had to admit that there was something about being with Elise that felt very familiar. But, in the past, Daniel had always been there. Colton had been the third wheel, the odd man out. But Elise had never made him feel that way.
A piece of their trifecta was missing, and the loss would always remain.
Colton watched as two ladies walked past, their eyes lingering on Dez. Elise followed his gaze and raised her eyebrows.
“He always gets that reaction.” Colton smiled. “We always tell him it’s his eyes.”
Elise grinned. “His eyes, huh?”
“He flirts without ever saying a word. It’s his superpower.”
Elise chuckled. “Dez does have a bit of a playboy vibe.”
“I wouldn’t know about that, but I did hear that his high school class voted him least likely to ever get married.”
Elise shook her head, her chuckles fading. “That’s terrible.”
“I didn’t say it was because nobody wanted to marry him. It’s just that Dez has an aversion to settling down.”
“I see what you’re saying.” Her gaze shifted. “How about Griff? What’s going on with him? I still keep up with Bethany on occasion. She hasn’t seemed the same since Griff left.”
Bethany was Griff’s ex-wife. The two had split a year ago—right after Daniel died. To say the divorce had been hard on Bethany would be an understatement. There were still so many unanswered questions. To make it worse, their daughter, Ada, was only three.
“He doesn’t really talk about it a lot. He still claims the divorce was what he wanted, but I feel like there’s more to his story.”
Elise swirled her ice using a paper straw, the liquid stirring along with her thoughts. “I could tell that he loved his wife and daughter more than anything. I just can’t believe they’re not together anymore. Neither can Bethany.”
“We were all shocked, and Griff hasn’t been the same since. I figure when he’s ready to talk about it, he will.”
Elise nodded somberly. “Let’s hope.”
Colton let out a sigh before shifting the subject again. “And then there’s Benjamin, who’s working an assignment up in Virginia Beach. He has that boyish look about him sometimes, the one that makes everyone feel like he’s their best friend.”
“I can see that.”
“Out of everyone here, he’s probably the one I know the least. Griff is quiet, but when he opens up, he won’t hold back on letting you know how he feels. Benjamin, on the other hand . . . he has things going on behind those eyes, things I have trouble getting a read on. He’s friends with everyone, but only at the surface level, you know?”
“He’s protecting himself for some reason,” Elise said.
Was he protecting himself because he had secrets from the rest of them? Colton pushed the thought aside. He hated doubting anyone on his team. But sometimes it was the smart thing to do.
“Are he and Griff still a team?” Elise asked. “I remember Daniel saying that Griff was almost like a mentor to Benjamin.”
“The two have a good relationship. Griff is good for Benjamin.”
“It’s always nice to have someone like that in your life.” Elise shifted. “It’s great that you’re all so different yet you get along together so well.”
Colton said nothing, determined not to give away his doubts. Saying them aloud would do nothing to help the situation.
The waitress took their order, then Colton and Elise settled back to wait for their food. Before they could start up another conversation, Cassidy walked in. She stopped by the other table first before sliding into the empty seat next to Elise.
“I’m not staying for long,” Cassidy started. “I’m just picking up something to eat, and I happened to see you all here.”
“How’s it going today?” Elise asked.
Cassidy nodded at someone across the restaurant. “You see that man over there? His name is Damien Marks. He’s the developer who wants to build the hotel. Apparently, someone went to his rental house last night and spray-painted it and smashed the windshield on his Mercedes.”
“Wow,” Colton said. “You’re right when you say people feel strongly about this hotel.”
“I think it’s made him only more determined to get this deal done.”
Colton looked at the man again. The
fifty-something man had thick dark hair, a small build, and refined movements. He seemed more New York than small-town North Carolina.
“He’s brave to come out in public with all the hatred toward him,” Colton said.
“Brave is one way to describe the man. Arrogant. Cocky. A little too sure of himself. Those are other ways to describe him.” Cassidy rolled her eyes.
Colton’s chuckle quickly faded. “I know what you’re saying. Hopefully the situation will be resolved without too much heartache.”
“Let’s hope so.” Cassidy glanced around. “But if you look at half of the people in here, they’re giving Mr. Marks dirty looks right now.”
Colton’s gaze scanned the people around him and confirmed what Cassidy said was true. That guy might be the most hated person in the room right now. Before he could say anything else, the front door opened again. Someone new walked into the restaurant.
Someone Colton hadn’t seen in a very long time.
The timing of him showing up here couldn’t be a coincidence.
Colton stood and prepared himself to act.
Chapter Fifteen
“Leonardo.” Colton strode across the restaurant.
The man had short blond hair, a cleft chin, and carefully sculpted muscles. Put it all together, and he came across as someone who worked too hard to look tough. Something about Leonardo had never seemed authentic, and Colton had never forgotten that.
As Leonardo spotted Colton, the man’s eyes widened with surprise and then . . . satisfaction.
“Colton . . .” The way he said the word showed the cockiness he was known for.
“What are you doing here?” Colton demanded.
Leonardo stepped back, some arrogance leaving his gaze. “I came to Lantern Beach looking for you.”
Why in the world had he done that? Colton only knew he didn’t want to have this conversation here—there were too many people around. “You and I need to step outside.”
Before the man could argue, Colton took Leonardo’s arm and dragged him out the door to the small deck at the entrance.
“I don’t know what’s going on, man.” Leonardo raised his hands in what looked like false innocence. “I just came here to talk.”
Colton narrowed his gaze and shifted away from the glaring sun. He didn’t want anything to stop him from seeing Leonardo’s eyes and the truth—or lack thereof—there. “How did you find me?”
“I heard you’d started a new organization called Blackout. I wanted to see if I could get in on it.”
Colton’s jaw tightened. It sounded too easy. “Is that your story? And you just happened to show up today and come into the very restaurant where we are?”
Leonardo narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know what’s going on, man. But I’m telling the truth.”
If he’d been trying to hide his presence, then he wouldn’t have come into The Crazy Chefette. Leonardo was smarter than that. “When did you get into town?”
“Last night. Why?” Leonardo’s hands went to his hips as his defenses seemed to go up.
“Did you come to the cottage last night?” Colton carefully watched Leonardo’s expression. He was determined to get to the truth.
“What cottage?”
Colton felt his jaw tighten. “The cottage where Blackout meets.”
“No, I got here just in time to check in at the inn. I didn’t think this was going to be such a big deal. Sorry.” He shrugged and let out a chuckle, making it clear he thought Colton was overreacting.
Colton wasn’t ready to believe him yet, though. “You’re saying you just happen to wander into this restaurant when we were here.”
“It’s like the only one on the island that’s open. I thought it was fortuitous . . . but now I can see that it’s obviously not.” He scowled.
Colton took a step back, trying to get the best read on the situation. If Leonardo was telling the truth, his timing was awful. More than awful. It was horrendous.
“So, how do I get in on this new organization that you started?” All of Leonardo’s defensiveness seemed to disappear, replaced by eagerness. This man had come here with a purpose and overly optimistic determination.
Colton shook his head, hating to burst his bubble. But he was going to have to.
Leonardo had been a SEAL, but he’d been kicked out because of insubordination. He was the last person Colton could see himself bringing on the team. When your life was on the line, you had to have people you could trust and depend on. Leonardo did not fit the bill.
“We’re not hiring yet,” Colton finally said.
“Can’t you make an exception? I would be great for this job.” His voice sounded unwavering with self-assurance.
“I’m not as confident of that fact as you are.”
Leonardo’s smile disappeared, and a dark cloud seemed to fill his gaze. “Look, just because I made one bad decision, that doesn’t mean it should dictate the rest of my life.”
“Unfortunately, in this line of work, that’s sometimes what it does mean.”
“You’re saying you’ve never made a mistake?” Leonardo bristled, his stare burning into Colton’s.
The night that Daniel died slammed into his mind. “No, I’m not saying that at all. But I always look out for my teammates.”
Leonardo narrowed his gaze. “That’s not what I heard.”
Colton felt himself drawing his fist back. Before he did something he’d regret, someone grabbed his arm.
Ty appeared. His friend shook his head, a silent reminder that Colton needed to remain in control. He did. He couldn’t let Leonardo get under his skin.
“If it isn’t Ty Chambers,” Leonardo continued with an almost bitter chuckle. “It’s like a big party here, and I wasn’t invited.”
“Blackout is just getting off the ground,” Ty said, his expression not softening. “I’m sorry you wasted your time by coming here.”
Leonardo nodded, a cool look coming to his eyes. “I see how you are. Exclusive, just like always. I should’ve known better. Known that people don’t change.”
“You should have called first,” Colton said, not buying into Leonardo’s guilt trip.
“I wouldn’t say it was for nothing. This place is beautiful.” He glanced at the sand dunes in the distance. “In fact, maybe I’ll stick around for a while.”
Another surge of anger rushed through Colton. The last thing he wanted was for Leonardo to stay in Lantern Beach.
With one more dismissive shrug, Leonardo stepped back into The Crazy Chefette. Colton watched him through the glass door as he took a seat across the restaurant, a good distance away from Elise. He was thankful for that, at least.
“Do you think he was the guy outside the cottage last night?” Ty looked as tense as Colton felt as he turned toward him.
Colton remembered the figure. Remembered the man’s stealth as he’d gotten away. “I find Leonardo’s timing is suspicious.”
“So do I. I’ve never trusted that guy, and his attempt to make us feel bad isn’t going to change that.”
“Same here. It looks like we have someone else to keep our eyes on.”
“I agree. We do.” This was just what he needed—something else to potentially distract him when Elise’s life was in danger.
But the question remained in Colton’s mind as to whether or not Leonardo had anything to do with the attack on Elise at her home.
Could he be the one who was working for the other side?
* * *
Elise’s food came while Colton was outside. She picked at her roast beef while watching the scene through the window beside her.
A few minutes later, the man Colton had confronted stomped back into the restaurant and slumped into a seat across the room. Where had Elise seen the man before? She felt certain that they’d met. Why had his conversation with Colton looked so heated?
“Do you think that guy’s trouble?” Cassidy studied Elise’s expression.
“At this point, I feel like anyone
can be trouble.” She set her fork down, her appetite waning.
Cassidy glanced back at the mystery man before turning to Elise. “It looks like Colton and Ty took care of him.”
Her words were true, but it didn’t change the uneasy feeling in Elise’s stomach.
A moment later, Colton and Ty strode back into the restaurant. Ty grabbed his drink before sliding into the booth next to Cassidy.
Colton remained quiet beside Elise. Instead of talking, he picked up a homemade potato chip and took a bite, a stormy look in his eyes.
Elise waited for the men to broach the subject. Thankfully, she wasn’t disappointed.
“That was Leonardo,” Colton started, his gaze still dark. “He heard we were here and he was hoping we would hire him.”
“Leonardo Appleton?” Elise kept her voice low so as to not draw any attention.
“You remember him?” Colton asked.
“He looked familiar, but now that you said his name, I do. He really wanted a job?”
“That’s right,” Ty said.
“That takes a lot of guts.” Cassidy raised her eyebrows. She’d stuck around to hear what was going on.
“Leonardo is gutsy, to say the least.” Colton’s gaze narrowed as he picked up another chip.
“Daniel said that he was kicked off the SEAL team,” Elise said. “Is that correct?”
“He’s one of the only guys I’ve ever known to actually be kicked off,” Ty said. “I’ve seen other guys get demoted. But this man was just plain booted.”
“I’m surprised to hear that,” Cassidy said. “I figured that the vetting process for becoming a SEAL was so rigorous that all the bases were covered by the time they actually made it there.”
“He started off as a great SEAL,” Colton continued. “But, on one of his missions, a colleague died. He was shot and died in Leonardo’s arms. Leonardo was never the same afterward and began acting erratically. At least, at first.”
“Sounds like PTSD.” Elise frowned.
Dark Water: Lantern Beach Blackout, Book 1 Page 8