by Annie Seaton
“Look, Gracie. I know you’ve led a sheltered life and that’s all fine and dandy when you are out in the outback with your little kindergarten students, but transplant that innocence into the real world here and you are really starting to piss me off.”
“So what’s brought this on all of a sudden?” she asked.
“I got some information today, and it’s confirmed my suspicions.”
“So what now?”
“I don’t intend to take my eyes off you…on a professional level that is,” he said.
Her gaze rose to his lips and the words tumbled out before she could change her mind.
“And what about on a personal level? Was that scene in the swimming pool last night just to teach me a lesson?”
His dark eyes bore into hers and she saw the answer she wanted. Without thinking, she let her feelings overtake rational thought and she reached up and cupped her hands around the back of his neck, pulling his mouth back down to hers. His teeth ground against hers as his mouth crushed her lips. She moaned and closed her eyes, giving in to the desire rocking her body.
He stepped back, suddenly breaking the contact between them, and drew a shaky breath.
“How is it that you can take control of me without even trying, Gracie?”
“I don’t know. It’s not something I’ve ever done before.” She glared at him “And it’s not something I’m trying to do. It’s just a good case of lust, Jake. What else do you expect sitting on that boat every night taking photo after photo of naked women? Of course you’re going to grab the first woman who comes along and gets in your sights.
“I can’t get you out of my mind, Gracie. Ever since you stepped onto my boat in that sexy, red dress you’ve been in my blood. And that’s pissing me off, because you’re the sort of woman who needs commitment. And that’s something I don’t do. You need it. I don’t.”
“So now you know what I want as well?” she said. “God, Jake. You are so clever.”
She turned on her heel and left him standing in the hall as she slammed the door behind her.
But what he couldn’t see was her sliding down the inside of the door with her hands over her face, stifling the sobs that racked her body as anger, fear, and confusion fought to take over.
…
Jake stomped around the kitchen wondering if Gracie was ever going to come out of her room. He’d heard the pipes rumble half an hour before as the shower came on and then all he could think of was her naked under the water.
Christ, man. Get over it.
He poked about in the cupboards and the refrigerator. It was a change to see food in there. He grabbed a bag and threw some fruit and energy bars in. If he didn’t leave soon, it would be too late to sail into the marina and he didn’t want to miss a second night of surveillance. If he was honest with himself, he really would prefer to stay here with Gracie.
He knew he’d been hard on her and she was upset, but it was the only way to convince her of the danger. Ben had let slip with a few bits and pieces on the boat this morning and Jake had put two and two together. The only thing he couldn’t get a handle on yet was where her sister fit into the whole mess.
Ben hadn’t said much but Jake had picked up that there was a big drug drop brewing and his instincts were working overtime. It was too coincidental that an insurance company had hired him to take photos at the same time the police were sniffing around the boat. There was something much bigger afoot.
Ben hadn’t been very forthcoming about Rodrigo Cabal either but Jake had picked up enough information to know he was a player. What worried him most was the situation on the boat when Gracie had turned up today. He’d been watching it for almost three weeks and the cruiser was always busy—day and night. It just didn’t make sense that it had been deserted and locked up today and then Clive had just appeared out of nowhere…and then Cabal, but no sign of her sister.
It smelled bad and Jake wasn’t wrong often. The only time he hadn’t listened to his gut was the night he’d got shot.
Glancing down at his watch he realized he had to leave, he couldn’t hang around any longer. He walked up the hallway and tapped on her door.
“Gracie?” he called. “Are you awake?”
The door opened slowly, and she peered around. His gut clenched. Her eyes were red-rimmed and he felt like an utter bastard.
“I have to leave or I’ll miss the tide,” he said. “Are you going to be okay? I’ll be gone all night.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Just make yourself at home and make sure you lock up.”
“I have to be on the Midas at eight in the morning,” she said softly.
Bloody hell.
He had to give her credit. She was stronger than he thought.
“I’ve thought about everything you said…and yes, I’m frightened,” she said. “But that’s a good thing because I’ll be on my guard.” She stepped out into the hall. “If you stay on your boat, you can watch me all day and I’ll know I’m safe.”
“Follow me.” He led her into his bedroom and over to the bureau next to the bed. He picked up the keys to the four-wheel-drive truck. “I assume you’ve got a driver’s license?”
She nodded.
“These are the keys to the black car. All the remotes for the garage and the gates are in that car. Park it in the car park behind the artificial lagoon and walk around to the marina. I’ll watch out for you. If you have any trouble at all, just come out onto the deck and wave to me…or text me. If you have to, jump overboard and I’ll get you out.”
The glare reflecting on the window silhouetted her body and outlined her curves. She was wearing a T-shirt that barely covered her thighs. Jake groaned and pulled her into his arms and leaned his head against hers. “I just wish you’d listen to me.”
“Just give me some time on there,” she whispered softly. “If Regan’s not there, I’ll find out as much as I can and then we’ll see about going to the police.” Looking up at him, she brushed her fingers against his chin. “You could be a pirate, Jake. All dark and dangerous.”
With a rueful smile, he rubbed a hand over the stubble on his chin, pleased to see her smile. “You’ve kept me busy, Gracie.” He caught her fingers in his—even the touch of her fingers on his chin got his blood surging. “I’ve got my phone with me. If you have any trouble tonight, give me a call and I’ll get Ben to drive me back here. I’m only twenty minutes away. As soon as you find out enough in the morning, just get the hell off the boat and call me and I’ll meet you at the car. Okay?”
Before he stepped through the gate, he turned. Gracie was standing on the deck. She’d put the white dress back on after her shower and with the light behind her, her shape was silhouetted against the setting sun. For a moment, he thought of staying, but shook himself, knowing he couldn’t miss two nights in a row. Especially after what Ben had told him today.
“Don’t forget to take your phone with you,” he called out. She waved to him before disappearing through the door. There was no way he’d have to wait for her to call in the morning, he would have his eyes fixed on the Midas the instant she stepped onto it.
Chapter Twelve
On the second morning she woke in Jake’s house, Gracie eyes flew open. Her heart was thudding, and the sheets were wrapped around her legs. She sat up quickly and looked around, listening for the sound that had woken her. All was quiet and she stepped out of bed and crossed to the window, standing to the side looking out across the lawn. Fingers of sea mist hovered above the horizon and the golden sky promised a spectacular sunrise. All was still in the predawn silence.
She shook her head to clear the fragments of her dream. A man’s body covered in barnacles, his face hidden from her. But his leg had floated up in her dream, floated up from beneath a boat and the pink, oval-shaped scar had shimmered beneath the dark water. Rubbing her eyes with her fingers to dispel the image, she headed for the shower.
It was a dream. Just a dream.
In th
e luxurious bathroom, she switched on the shower and smiled. It was big enough for two people with a huge jet on each side of the tiled space. Turing the water to hot, Gracie stood for a long time under the soothing heat, letting the water wash away the tension in her shoulders.
She dressed in the uniform provided by the crewing company, with the Midas insignia sewn in gold thread on the royal blue of the singlet. The white shorts were a tight fit, and she stretched around to look at them in the full-length mirror on the wardrobe door. They just covered her butt and showed more bare skin than the red dress had the other night. Pulling her damp hair into a high ponytail, she walked back into the bedroom and dug in her bag for a pair of white sneakers and socks.
Her stomach was in knots and the thought of food didn’t tempt her at all.
Maybe just a coffee.
She glanced at her watch as she set off down the hall. It wasn’t even six and she had two hours to fill before she had to report to the boat. Pausing in the doorway of Jake’s study, her attention was caught by the faint light of the screensaver on one of his computers. Guilt ran through her as she stepped into the room and stood in front of it. She ignored it, telling herself she wouldn’t look at any of his files. Checking her e-mail and browsing the web for a while would pass the time quickly and keep her occupied.
Sitting in the chair he’d occupied the other night, she moved the mouse and the screensaver disappeared and showed the desktop. She leaned back in the chair and looked with interest at the photograph on the screen.
A much younger, thinner Jake looked back at her. His face was wreathed in a smile and his arm was draped loosely over the shoulder of a pretty, young woman. Gracie wondered who she was and whether she was still around, although Jake looked about ten years younger in the photograph. His expression was carefree, and he didn’t have the dangerous edge he showed to the world now. But he was still as sexy as hell, even without the muscle he carried now. Her stomach flipped and a shiver ran down her spine.
If only I was totally sure I can trust him.
He must still have police connections. He knew Clive from the Midas and his criminal background.
But why was he taking these photographs night after night and skulking around the marina?
He had connections, all right, and she was terrified it was a connection to the criminal element more than to the police force.
An hour later, she parked the car in the car park behind the lagoon as Jake had directed. It was a glorious summer day and even though it was early, the heat was building and the tropical storm clouds were already rising over the ocean. The grassy area around the artificial lagoon between the shops and the sea was busy even though it was only seven thirty in the morning. Hundreds of boats bobbed on their moorings out in the bay and the brilliant blue water stretched to the north, islands dotting the horizon. A café behind the main shopping area was open and Gracie settled onto a verandah overlooking the beach while she waited for her coffee. Children splashed in the water and backpackers strolled along the seawall between the lagoon and Pioneer Bay. The scent of suntan oil from the sunbathers drifted across in the early morning heat. The presence of marine stingers and crocodiles in the tropical waters made it impossible to swim in the sea at this time of the year. It reminded her of Christmas holidays when she and Regan had sat on the sea wall looking longingly at the water. Back in those days there’d been no lagoon and they’d spent the summer holidays cooling down under the hose in their grandmother’s garden. She closed her eyes and the smells, the sounds, and the heat combined to evoke memories of those teenage years spent in this paradise before it had become a mecca for tourists and luxury boats. A sob came out of nowhere and caught in her throat.
God, if anything happened to Regan, she’d be completely alone.
“You okay, love?” The young waitress put the coffee on the table in front of her.
“Yes, thanks.” Gracie opened her eyes and smiled up at her. “I’m fine. Remembering some good times here.”
The girl looked down at the embossed shirt Gracie was wearing. “Going to work on the party boat?”
“Yes, do you know the Midas?
“There’s a big party on there tomorrow night, and we’re doing some of the catering for it. Might see you again when we drop the food off, if you’re working tomorrow?”
“I’m not sure,” Gracie replied.
“Oh, you will be. They keep that boat gleaming, and even more so when there’s a big party on.”
An idea dashed into Gracie’s thoughts and she reached out and grabbed the waitress’s arm before she walked away. “Do you know any of the girls that work on the boat?”
“I know a few of them.” The girl chuckled. “But it’s a bit out of my league. It’s really hard to get a job there but a few of them come in here for coffee sometimes.”
“Do you know a girl called Regan who works on the boat?” Gracie asked.
The girl looked back at her. “Can’t say that I do. What’s she look like?”
Gracie pulled out her phone and scrolled through to a photograph of Regan.
“I’ve never heard of Regan.” The girl took the phone and looked at the screen for a moment. “But that sure looks like Carla. She’s the owner’s girlfriend.”
“Are you sure?”
The girl looked at her strangely. “Well, she was a couple of days ago when I dropped off a tray for a function they were having. Do you know her?”
“No, don’t worry. I must be mistaken.” Gracie put the phone back in her bag and pulled some money from her purse. “Anyway, I’d better dash. Mustn’t be late for my first shift.”
As she walked around the edge of the lagoon toward the path that circled Abel Point and led to the marina, her temper built.
What are you bloody well doing, Regan?
Not only was it Jake’s opinion, and Regan in the photographs was quite obviously all over that guy, now a waitress in a local café said she was the owner’s girlfriend and going by a different name. As she strode around the rocky point and the marina came into her sight Gracie pulled out her phone and called Regan’s number.
Answer your bloody phone, Regan. Or Carla—whatever you call yourself now.
It rang out and she shoved her phone back in her bag. That was another reason to be cross—she’d promised Jake she’d keep the phone on her and there was nowhere in the skimpy shorts and singlet top of the uniform to put it. Not even a single pocket. She’d have to shove it down the top of her shorts and that would be a great look.
The temptation to go back to the car, drive to Jake’s house, pack her bags, and head home was strong. If Regan didn’t care enough about her and was happy with her new life, then fine. It was time to go home. She turned around to head back to the car and her heart missed a beat when her phone trilled from the depths of her bag
Oh my God.
Regan was finally getting in touch with her. Gracie held her phone to her ear and pressed the answer button.
“About bloody time. Where the hell have you been for the past three weeks?”
Chapter Thirteen
“Whoa, calm down, Gracie. It’s me…Jake.”
“Oh.” Her disappointment obvious. “I thought it was Regan. I just tried to call her. Again.”
“I was just ringing to check you were on your way.”
“Yes, Jake. I am on my way.” The disappointment turned to irritation. “I did as you said, and I’m just walking around the point now. I’ll be at the Midas in less than five minutes.”
Jake was hunkered down in the cabin of the sloop across from the Midas and he’d made sure everything was within easy reach—camera, binoculars, and his cell phone. When he’d pulled the phone from his pocket and put it on the table next to the camera, he’d stared at it wanting to call Gracie but knowing she’d be pissed at him for checking up on her. She was determined to prove she was capable but he knew this was not the right place to do it. The quicker she got off that boat, the happier he would be.
He looked down at his watch. It was fifteen minutes before eight. “Well, be careful. I’ll be watching,” he said. “One good thing, there’s a crowd of workers on the boat this morning, so I feel a lot better abut you being on there.”
“Good. So long as you’re happy.” Her voice was short. “I‘ll call you when I get back to the car. Though…you’ll see me when I leave.”
The call disconnected and he walked to the back of the cabin and looked to the south. He could just see the path behind the double-story bar and night club at the southern end of the marina concourse and he watched until Gracie appeared around the corner.
Fuck. What the hell was she wearing?
All he could see was legs and bare skin.
Groaning, he rubbed his hand over his face as she disappeared between the buildings. He was so bloody tired. Between taking photographs and worrying about Gracie going to the boat today he’d not been able to sleep after the lights had gone out on the cruiser.
And just as well.
It had been a quiet night, with few visitors and little to see, but after the Midas had plunged into darkness, a small rubber tender had come in through the entrance from the bay and Jake had snapped a few dozen shots of some large zippered canvas bags being unloaded onto the luxury boat. Gracie’s “friends,” buzz cut and the older guy, had been in the small boat and the guy who had helped them unload was a new face Jake hadn’t seen before. Clive and Cabal hadn’t made an appearance.
He was right. All along he’d suspected there was more to this surveillance than an insurance investigation. Everything pointed to drug smuggling and now he’d seen it for himself. His worry for Gracie…and her sister grew.
He would be hanging onto those photographs until he knew what was going on. If what Ben was hinting was right, there would be more surveillance in the marina than just him at the moment.