by Toby Neal
“There’s someone here to see you. I wanted to make sure he is authorized before I let him in.” Antigua’s dark brown eyes were concerned. “His name is Todd Remarkian.”
Sophie’s pulse picked up immediately. “Of course, let him in. He is our boss—the CEO of Security Solutions.”
Even as she turned away from the door to get dressed, Sophie wondered why she hadn’t identified Todd, who went by Connor in private, as her boyfriend. Was she afraid of saying those words?
She dressed quickly in her usual work outfit of black yoga pants and button-down shirt. There was nothing to be done about her thick, curly hair, matted from the ordeal last night and sleeping on it wet. She missed the days of her short MMA buzz cut for that reason.
She checked her face in the mirror as she slicked on colored lip balm. Connor had told her many times that she was beautiful in spite of the unevenness created by the facial prosthetic and the scar bisecting her cheekbone, marking a skin graft stitched up into her hairline. The change in her appearance from the gunshot wound still jarred Sophie whenever she looked in the mirror.
Connor was talking to Jake in the rock star’s spacious living room, and broke off when he caught sight of her. He strode across the broad expanse of polished teak floor to embrace her, pulling her in close. “Thank God you’re okay.”
Sophie closed her eyes and breathed him in, savoring the strength of his arms, his warm hard body against hers. She fit well against him, and reveled in that. He tipped her chin up with one hand and kissed her, right in front of Jake, Antigua, and the rest of their team.
Connor didn’t have any trouble with their relationship status.
Sophie gave his chest a gentle push. “I’m fine. Lei was right. Nothing cures tasing like a good night’s sleep.”
Connor pushed a hand through his short blond hair. Sea-colored eyes studied her intently as a frown stitched a line between his brows. His Aussie accent was broad with distress. “Why didn’t you call me last night? Why did I have to hear about what happened from Jake?”
Sophie glanced over Connor’s shoulder to see Jake heading for the nearest exit, Antigua in his wake. The two security operatives had also vanished.
“I’m sorry. I was so tired that I didn’t have the energy to make another call and have to…”
Have to explain her ill-advised choice to take a run on the beach alone at night.
Have to relive the whole harrowing experience one more time.
Have to deal with Connor’s emotional reaction.
What did it mean that calling Connor had not felt like something supportive, but like one more thing that would exhaust her?
Connor squeezed the back of her neck. “I had to see you and know that you were okay after I got Jake’s call last night. I tried your phone, but it was turned off.” The vibration in his tone told her he was trying not to be angry.
“My phone got ruined in the ocean. I have a new one.” She pulled it out and texted him her new number.
“Are you up for a little walk on the beach?”
“That would be perfect.” Sophie reached out, took his hand. She rubbed her thumb over the callus between his thumb and forefinger, the place where the neck of his violin rested. Touching that roughened patch of skin reminded her of all the things she admired about him—not least of which was his willingness to openly care for her when he was such a private and guarded person.
The ocean in front of the mansion was still cool with early morning, the purplish bulk of Haleakala casting a long blue shadow over pristine sand populated only by a few early morning joggers and dog walkers. The wind Maui was so famous for had not yet risen, and the sea was as calm and smooth as mercury, reflecting the sky and a few lazy white clouds. Mynah birds, waking up in the coconut palms fringing the beach, chattered noisily and mourning doves cooed. Sophie twined her fingers with Connor’s as they walked barefoot down the beach. “I should have called you right away. Before the cops came.”
“I would have appreciated that.” Connor’s voice was tight. “I wanted to hear it from you.”
“I understand. But I’m sure Jake had all the facts, and his brain wasn’t scrambled from a Taser.”
“I never want to hear from Jake about you, ever again,” Connor said flatly. Sophie stiffened at the steely note in his voice. “Jake has feelings for you. I am reassigning him.”
Sophie stopped, digging her heels into the sand. She let go of Connor’s hand and turned to face him. “So, this is what happens when you date the boss. People warned me that it would interfere with my job, and it has.”
“That’s not the only change I’m laying down today. I have a lead on Ang, and I’m handling the situation.”
Sophie glared at him. “We’ve talked about this. He’s mine to take out.”
“Not up to you anymore. I let you have your chance, and he almost got you.”
Sophie looked down, because she couldn’t bear to see the expression in Connor’s eyes—the note of fury and anguish in his voice was more than enough. He went on. “Don’t be stubborn. Admit he’s out ahead of us right now, and we need to bag him by any means. And I have the means.”
Sophie whirled and strode down the beach. She could hear his footsteps following, and she sped up. She was too angry to speak. The men in her life thought they knew better, thought she couldn’t handle her own business, when she’d proved over and over again that she was both competent and deadly.
Whatever sloppiness might have occurred up until now was over.
She turned back to face Connor at last. She took in all of him visually: the light of morning falling over Haleakala, striking his shoulder like a lance, lighting his blond head with gold like a warrior’s helmet, caressing the planes of his face, molding over his muscled body. “If you do this, we’re done.”
Connor had halted too. His gaze was hot and determined. “I’ll just have to trust that this is one more thing we can get past eventually. Are you going to walk off again and make me follow you? Or can we head back and get on with this manhunt?”
“Give me your lead on Assan,” Sophie snapped. “And I will use DAVID to find him.”
“Because that has worked so well.”
Their gazes clashed. Sophie tightened her lips. Whatever anger she felt right now needed to be put aside in favor of finding her ex. They fell into step walking back to the beachfront mansion, but Sophie kept a couple of feet of space between them, and Connor shoved his hands into his pockets.
“Assan is bound to have left some trace of himself online now that he is using hired assistance. I’m sure Lei and the FBI will have more to work with, as will I. So, what’s that lead?” Sophie said.
“Just let me do what I need to do. Don’t make this about us.”
Sophie didn’t like his tone, or his attitude. She narrowed her eyes. “No. I don’t need or want your help. On this or any other case.” She did not know when that realization had hardened into crystal clarity, but it had. “Give me that lead!”
Connor stared at her for another moment. His face might have been carved from stone. He turned and walked briskly toward the mansion. Clearly, he wasn’t sharing his intel with her.
Sophie watched him go. He reached the end of Miller’s compound, and the almost invisible Plexiglas gate opened for him like magic.
Like she had opened for him.
It had taken time and effort to lure her in and break down her resistance and caution, but in the end, she had yielded to him. Let herself be hopeful for a future.
Let herself love him.
Had she made the right choice? Was there any way to go back?
Her body tingled, remembering how good they’d been together that one weekend, and her chest felt heavy and sore at the thought of goodbye.
This was even worse than when Alika dumped her and left for Kaua‘i. She was such a fool.
Sophie broke into a jog and moved briskly down the beach, fighting off depressive thoughts that swirled in to fan her self-doubt.
>
She entered the house a half hour later and was surprised to see Jake standing outside the den that had been their former security headquarters, arms crossed on his chest, face serious.
He was guarding someone inside that room.
Sophie had finally relaxed from her confrontation with Connor, but now sweat pooled in an itchy line down the back of her shirt from the heat of the run. She couldn’t wait to be alone and sort through what was going on, couldn’t wait to get into the shower and then back into the cool dim computer area to check DAVID’s data caches that were scrubbing the internet for traces of Assan. Even stacking and sorting the behavior patterns they had been recording using Security Solutions’ AI surveillance program seemed appealing, because she couldn’t wait to be back in her comfort zone. “Did Mr. Miller get back or something?”
Jake’s lips tightened, his gray eyes unreadable. “Lei and Pono are interviewing someone.”
“Good. It’s about time you had a break in the Blondie case.”
Jake’s expression didn’t change, and now Sophie frowned. “Is the interview in there about my case?”
Jake shrugged and looked off over her shoulder. His body language sent a clear message.
“Well, it’s apparent you’re not going to tell me what this is about, so I might as well take a shower. Let me know when I’m to be honored by your confidence. Partner.” Sophie walked stiffly past him down the hall.
She had worked so hard for calm, and it was gone in a moment.
Chapter Five
Washing up and changing back at her room, Sophie considered who Lei and Pono might be interviewing in the den. Maybe they’d got a lead on someone who had leaked information about her movements at the house to the would-be kidnappers; the fact that those thugs could grab her when they had seemed awfully convenient.
Sophie felt her belly hollow as she considered the various staff people who might have been compromised: Antigua, either of their two young operatives, Jesse or Ronnie, Pepe, the groundskeeper. Even someone at Security Solutions off-site, with remote access to the nanny cam software that was always recording her movements around the estate, could have leaked her location.
On the other hand, this new development could be about the Blondie case—but if so, she couldn’t think of any reason why Jake wouldn’t just tell her what that was.
Sophie needed a good strong cup of tea after this rough start to the day. She had brought her own tea, special ordered from an import company, and carrying the small paper bag, she headed into the heart of Miller’s mansion, the gigantic state-of-the-art kitchen.
Antigua was washing something up at the sink, her toned arms deep in suds. “You’re late for your morning tea.” She gestured with her regal head to a carafe resting on the marble sideboard. “I made you some hours ago.”
“Thank you.” Sophie felt a lump in her throat, a combined reaction to the woman’s thoughtfulness and relief that it wasn’t Antigua being questioned in that closed room. “My boyfriend Todd and I had a talk, then I took a beach run to clear my head. I’m ready for anything now.” Her smile felt automatic, a mask to hide her turbulent anxiety. Calling Connor her “boyfriend” still felt awkward, odd. They were too mature, and the relationship too intense, for the word to feel like a fit.
“Well, he’s still here, talking with the cops. I don’t know what they wanted to talk to him about, what he might have known about your attack or even the Blondie case, but they’re all closed up in the den.”
Sophie hid the tightening of her abs in response to this news by busying her hands with pouring the tea.
What could Lei and Pono be talking to Connor about?
There were too many possibilities, and few of them were good.
Sophie did not let her mind speculate, keeping her voice level and matter of fact. “Okay. Tell him I’m heading out to the security center and perhaps he can stop by on his way out. When is Mr. Miller getting back?”
“I spoke with him this morning. He is staying over in Quebec for another concert, but then, he should be home for a week or so.”
“I hope we get a break on the Blondie case before he returns.” Sophie nodded to Antigua as she walked out. She wrapped her hands around the mug, hoping it would warm her as she hurried back across the length of the mansion, out the side door, and over elegant embedded flagstones to the guest cottage where the security center was located.
She dismissed Ronnie, who’d been keeping watch on the monitors. Sitting down in the comfortable leather office chair in front of the multiple screens surveilling the property, Sophie tried to keep her mind from wandering back to the den and Connor.
Maybe they were talking to him about Security Solutions’ role, and response to her attack. After all, Connor was her boss, even if only technically. Could it be about their relationship? The lead he’d uncovered about Assan?
She refused to consider that they might know about the Ghost. She was the only one who knew about the Ghost.
She would know soon enough.
Sophie wrestled her thoughts back into focus by putting on headphones and filling her ears with classical music as she pulled up the complicated algorithm of the nanny cam surveillance software and began to assess the emergent patterns.
Unfortunately, all of the data she’d gathered would be outdated when Shank Miller returned. The whole point of the software was to automate and identify abnormal behavior patterns. When tuned up correctly, the software was much more accurate than hired watchmen. Sophie hoped getting it set up might not only protect Miller more economically than a large human staff, but it could lead to a break in the Blondie case.
Sophie had enough data about the rest of the household’s “normal” life patterns to run the program effectively, but Miller hadn’t been home enough to integrate his patterns into the overall picture, and the software would need to be trained all over again when Miller took up residence.
That was a problem.
But maybe now she could take a break and go back to Oahu and see Ginger while Miller did that last concert in Quebec.
And see Connor, and work things out with him.
Connor wouldn’t like her going back to her off-the-grid apartment and alternate identity as Mary Watson, but until she knew better, Sophie hoped that Assan didn’t know about that identity. Mary Watson existed to give her a layer of protection and anonymity, make her harder to find.
Sophie assembled the nanny cam analysis into a single report and contacted Kendall Bix, her immediate supervisor and VP of operations at Security Solutions. She wanted to get the okay to go back to Oahu before she had to talk to Jake about it.
Bix was noncommittal on the phone. “I need to check in with Jake. And Dr. Kinoshita just let me know she’s coming over for a consult on the Miller case. I think you should be present for that, and afterward we can talk.”
“When is the doctor arriving?” Sophie had a pen ready to jot down the date, time, and flight number.
She was still on the phone with Bix when the door banged open, and she spun to face the threat.
Connor stood in the doorway, aqua eyes ablaze and hair mussed. He strode back and forth rapidly while she wrapped up the call. His muscles were pumped, and anger seemed to shiver in the air around him. The minute she got off the phone he grabbed her by the arms, pulling her up out of the chair. “Hey!” she exclaimed, but he kissed her anyway.
Sophie stiffened, pulling back, twisting her face away. He held her close, then let go abruptly, stroking her arms. “Sorry about that. I just needed to hold you a minute.”
“I don’t like being manhandled,” Sophie said. “You know why.”
“Damn it. Yes, I know. I just couldn’t bear to leave with discord between us.”
“That didn’t help,” Sophie said.
Connor threw up his hands, stalking away. She’d never seen him so agitated. “This is so difficult! And it’s going to get even harder.” He spun to face her, pinning her with a hard, blue gaze. “You’re going to
hear things about me. Don’t believe what they tell you.”
“What’s this about?” Sophie frowned. “What the hell is going on?”
“I wasn’t supposed to speak to you at all. I have to go. They’ll be here any minute. Just believe me—I had nothing to do with what they’re saying. I’ll be in touch.” He whirled, and the door slammed closed behind him.
A moment later, she heard the roar of the white Security Solutions SUV Connor drove leaving the estate.
What was happening? The nagging, prickling hurt of the way they’d parted brushed along her nerves, making her stomach knot, and the sight of Connor barely hanging onto self-control was not reassuring.
A knock came from the door. Sophie answered it. Lei stood on the step, Pono a looming but benign presence behind her shoulder. Both of their faces were uncharacteristically serious.
“We need to speak with you about your case. And something else. Where can we be guaranteed confidentiality?” Lei asked.
Sophie gestured to the cluttered dining room table inside the cottage, site of many a team meeting. “The men sweep the house and grounds for bugs twice a week, and the last time was yesterday. The biggest possible interruption is Jake, and if you’ve dealt with him, we should be fine.”
Sophie knew it was bad when the two didn’t even smile. Lei just made a motion with her head, and Pono locked the door behind them.
Sophie cleared off the cluttered dining room table with quick, jerky movements. “Who were you interviewing in the den?” she asked, to get things started.
“We had questions for your boyfriend, Todd Remarkian.” Lei sat down at the table, Pono beside her, and opened a file.
Sophie kept her face neutral, hiding her apprehension. “Is this something to do with my attack? Or with the situation with Blondie?”
“Neither.” Pono spoke this time, lacing thick fingers together and gazing at her over them with soulful brown eyes. “There’s an investigation going on at the FBI. They are looking into Remarkian for shady online dealings through Security Solutions.”