by Lydia Rowan
After about five minutes, he looked back, stared at the ocean, aware that time was ticking.
He needed to find something, and quickly, or he’d have to abandon this. Adam couldn’t get caught out here with no way to return and leaving Sloan alone having to explain his absence.
So he moved even faster and then paused when his eyes caught something glistening in the moonlight. He slowed, approached it cautiously, and then realized it was a bolt of some sort.
A structure, Adam saw. He quickly moved around the perimeter of the structure, finding it relatively small, maybe twenty by twenty, not huge, but big enough to hold something important.
He circled again and, seeing no sign of anything, decided he would go for the front door.
It had been very quiet on his way over, quiet enough to make him suspicious but also quiet enough to reinforce the idea that Alistair took a lot of comfort in his location and used physical fortification as his primary source of defense instead of personnel.
Something Adam would use to his benefit.
He quickly traced his hands over the door and found a slide lock. It didn’t require a key, but wasn’t something that most people would be able to open, a good choice here, when it was unlikely that there’d be too many unwelcome visitors.
Adam made quick work of the lock and then slowly pushed the door in, making sure that it didn’t creak. The air in the room was somewhat stifled, telling Adam the room was full, but he didn’t hear any machinery.
So, storage.
Odd because that wasn’t Tremaine’s MO, but Adam had long ago learned not to discount his instinct. He made his way in and closed the door behind him, pausing long enough to prop it open with a rock. He should be able to get out, but he wanted to leave the place untouched and not arouse any suspicion.
After he closed the door, Adam hazarded pulling out his small penlight and moving it around the room.
“Bingo,” Adam whispered when he saw the stacks of plastic containers lining the walls.
He moved toward them, and careful not to disturb anything, he crouched down and opened the first. Adam looked through the documents, barely able to contain his enthusiasm.
Alistair looked to be a meticulous note-taker, and if Adam was right, these containers succinctly laid out an international drug-smuggling operation, one Adam knew would tie back to Tremaine. It was a treasure trove of information. He might get a bonus out of this, but if nothing else, he’d have bragging rights, and he couldn’t wait to have Seth bow down in the face of his greatness.
Adam couldn’t revel for long, though, because he heard a slight creak, and began to turn and then stopped.
For the second time in as many days, a weapon pressed against his back stilled him.
16
“Another game of hide and seek?” Connell asked.
Adam risked turning and met Connell’s cold eyes. He held his weapon loosely, but Adam didn’t let the apparent casualness fool him. That Connell had gotten so close only cemented in Adam’s mind the idea he was well-trained, and Adam would keep his guard up even more than it already was. If he got the chance.
“Will you shoot me in the gut if I try to keep up this couples’ retreat front?” Adam asked, deciding to dispense with the pretense.
Connell snorted. “Probably.”
“So what happens now?” Adam asked.
“You tell me,” he replied.
“You don’t give a fuck about Alistair and what he has going on here. This is just something to pass the time, earn you a little cash,” Adam said.
“Yeah, so?” Connell replied.
“So I could probably get you some real work if you want it. Get you off this fucking beach anyway,” Adam said. He had no authority to offer Connell anything, but he figured he’d sort the details out later.
Connell watched him, the moment growing tense, before the other man relaxed and lowered his gun to his side. “Why not? Jones is a fucking prick, and I’ve had my fill of the ocean. Better hurry back. Tide’s coming in, and I think Alistair is planning to have a little chat with Sloan,” he said.
The air constricted in Adam’s chest, but he ignored it and then began to move, hoping Connell didn’t shoot him in the back.
“Hey, Adam, is it?” Connell called.
He paused, looked back.
“Is Sloan single?” he asked, looking almost hopeful.
“Nope,” Adam said, and then he began stalking back through the trees, intent on getting to his woman.
••••
“Sloan?”
She started and then looked at Alistair as he walked through the door. The door that had only moments ago been locked. Sloan wished she could say she was surprised, but she wasn’t. She also refused to give in to the fear that her new visitor had inspired. She’d make Adam proud.
“Alistair?”
“I don’t mean to startle you, dear, but I was hoping you could visit with me for a few moments,” he said.
He was as usual, every hair in place, expression one of soft placation, but Sloan didn’t miss the hardness around his eyes, or his near request that she couldn’t refuse.
“Of course not,” Sloan said quickly. “Is everything okay?”
“Fine, dear. For the moment,” he said.
That was the least reassuring reassurance Sloan had ever received in her entire life. Still, she walked toward him, at a loss for what else to do. Adam would be furious. He had told her to stay put, but in this situation what else was she to do?
She certainly couldn’t ask Alistair how he had opened her door, or why. Besides, she figured he’d make that clear soon enough, probably sooner than she wanted him to.
All that mattered was that Adam was okay, and somehow, Sloan knew that he was. Now it was up to her to make sure she stayed okay.
She walked out of the door and past Alistair, who stood behind her the entire way.
She could feel his gaze on her, saw as he watched. She kept walking, but looked over her shoulder before turning her gaze back to the carpeted hallway.
“Are you sure things are okay?” she asked.
“Positive, dear.”
She turned to the left, toward where she knew his office was.
“Just through there,” he said, indicating the heavy teak door.
Sloan walked toward it, her heart beginning to race and her palms sweating, and when she reached it she stretched her hand and turned the knob, her mind for a split second rebelling and telling her to turn and run. But she didn’t. Instead, she opened the door and walked in, trying her best to make herself keep breathing.
She didn’t know what she would find inside, and she thought she might explode from the tension of this situation.
A moment later she was able to exhale, though. It was the same office, ostentatious and tacky, in her opinion, decorated, dark, heavy furniture everywhere, and more knickknacks than Sloan would ever be able to stand in her own personal space.
Alistair closed the door behind her and then stood behind her for a moment, his presence ominous, unnerving.
Then, thankfully, he moved away.
“Why don’t you have a seat?” he said.
Sloan nodded and then walked to the small settee Alistair had arranged near his desk.
“So, what is it?” Sloan asked, hoping she conveyed a confused, slightly befuddled expression to match her tone.
Not that it was too far of a stretch.
“You really are delightful, Sloan,” Alistair said.
“Thank you,” Sloan replied, though the word came out more a question than a statement. She was perplexed and more than a little afraid now, Alistair’s comfort with her making her that much more uncomfortable.
“How did you get hooked up with a man like that?”
Fuck. Alistair asking these kinds of questions couldn’t be good. But Sloan would do her part to keep their cover.
“Adam and I? We told you. We met at a bar. He—”
“Pursued you until you fell
in love,” he said. “I heard the story, which is total bullshit.”
Sloan started at the curse word that came out of his mouth, so different than the sophisticated image Alistair tried to present, one that seemed to be crumbling as she watched.
“Alistair. I’m sorry, but could you explain what exactly is going on here?” Sloan said. “You’re starting to frighten me.”
“No, Sloan, I need you to explain. What is Adam doing here?”
Sloan locked eyes with the cool blue of Alistair’s, her mind racing as she stumbled to think of an answer.
But one wasn’t necessary.
A second after Alistair had asked the question, the door creaked open, and Adam stood in the doorjamb, empty-handed and fierce and the most beautiful thing Sloan had ever seen.
“Why don’t you ask me yourself?”
••••
Adam gave himself a split second to look at Sloan, seeing that she didn’t appear to be hurt before he locked his eyes on Alistair.
The man himself didn’t look too shocked, only mildly amused.
“I had hoped that Sloan would explain. She seems much more agreeable than you, but the choice is yours. Who are you?”
“I’m Adam,” he said, eyes still lasered on Alistair, not interested in playing this game but needing to be patient. He thought he could count on Connell, but there was still other security to contend with, and Adam didn’t want to do anything until Sloan was by his side.
“Not the cover story,” Alistair said, laughing. “The chemistry between you two is real enough, but I’ve met your type, Adam. You’re not the type to go on a couples’ retreat,” he said.
“And I’ve met your type, Alistair. You don’t run couples’ retreats,” he said.
“So you’re smarter than you look,” he said.
“Maybe, maybe not,” Adam said, keeping his cool and happy to let Alistair talk as long as he, and not Sloan, was the center of Alistair’s attention. “Why don’t you decide?”
Alistair looked at him, and his smile brightened. Then he nodded curtly. “Take your shot,” Alistair said.
Adam did. “Tremaine’s involved, but he’s not running this operation.”
Alistair didn’t react one way or another. “Continue,” he said.
“You’re a salesman. Drugs, sure, probably some guns, but that’s not your primary business. If I’m to go by the files, I’d say information,” Adam said, deciding to be forthright. He hadn’t quite worked out how he was going to maneuver the situation to his advantage, but for the moment he had Alistair’s attention, and he was sure a plan would come together after that.
Alistair nodded, seeming unable to deny that assertion. “Impressive,” he finally said.
“Glad to hear that. So why don’t you send Sloan on her way so you and I can discuss this further?” Adam said.
Alistair shook his head. “Sloan’s lovely company. I think I’ll have her stay.”
“Why?” Adam asked.
“You strike me as someone who takes risks, and I think you’ll probably be much less inclined to do so when Sloan is here,” he said.
“What’s your endgame?” Adam asked.
“You were dead-on, Adam. I sell information, and you seem like you might have a lot. And if you two come as a package, I should be able to—”
“Ugh.” Alistair grunted and then looked back wildly to Sloan, who, for the second time, kicked him directly in his knee.
He screamed as the joint gave and he went down, his other knee giving out. Alistair looked around wildly, but as soon as he turned to face her, Sloan swung the object she held in her hand and caught him with a solid blow to the head.
17
Adam stared at Sloan in shock, and then looked at Alistair, who lay on the ground unconscious.
Then, as easy as she pleased, Sloan returned the wooden globe, apparently a damn heavy one, back to its original location.
She then walked back to Alistair, looked down at him and nudged him with her toe, the delicate white sandal on her small foot quite the contrast to the way she poked at the unconscious man to gauge his response.
When she was satisfied with Alistair’s unconsciousness, she looked at Adam. “Get out of here,” she said, her voice firm.
“Sloan! What the—”
“Adam, you have to go. Now get out of here,” she whispered urgently.
“What are you—”
She rushed over to him and grabbed a handful of his shirt in each hand. She looked at him, her eyes searching his, her expression tight and urgent.
“If you’re gone, I can make up a story, say Alistair slipped or something. But if you’re here, no one’s gonna buy it.”
“No one’s going to buy it as it is, Sloan. Let’s go!” Adam said.
She shook her head. “We need to buy time to get out of here without blowing your cover. Call Seth and have him send a plane to intercept Alistair while he’s still unconscious. I’ll convince the rest of the security. Just trust me, okay?” she said, looking at him imploringly.
Adam kept his eyes on hers, trying to think of a reason to tell her she was wrong, but he couldn’t come up with one. She was right; her plan was the best option, but Adam couldn’t make himself move.
“You have to go now, Adam! I’ll be there soon,” she said, face stern.
She went silent then but kept her eyes on his and he watched her, reluctant, but knowing that what she said was true.
“If you’re not back in the room in forty-five minutes, I’m coming for you,” he said.
Sloan nodded and then kept her eyes locked on his for a moment. Then, he watched as the transformation took her over, the urgency, affection he hoped he saw in her eyes gone, replaced with wide-eyed fear and glistening tears.
“Go,” she said.
Adam placed a hard peck on her forehead and then turned and marched down the hall, everything in him screaming at him to go back to her, but his training carrying him away.
When he rounded the corner, he came face-to-face with Connell.
“Sloan’s back there. Watch her,” Adam said, eyes locked on his, hoping the man understood how deadly serious he was.
Connell nodded and went in the direction of Sloan, and a second later Adam heard her high-pitched “Help!”
There was a stir behind him, but Adam kept walking in the direction of their room, each step taking him farther away from the woman he realized he now loved.
••••
Exactly forty-three minutes and twenty-five seconds later, not that he was counting, Adam stood facing the door as it slowly opened and Sloan entered.
When she first walked through the door, he watched her for any signs of distress and saw none. She looked tired, a little frayed around the edges in a way that was uncommon for Sloan, but she didn’t look physically harmed. She closed the door behind her and then leaned against it, crossed her legs at the ankle and locked eyes with him.
Then they stood for long seconds, Sloan watching Adam as Adam watched her.
He was a man of movement, one accustomed to instantly evaluating the situation and acting, one for whom standing and waiting was foreign.
The last forty-three minutes and twenty-five seconds had been excruciating, all manner of horrors running through his mind as he thought of what Sloan was doing, what might be happening to her. But underneath that had been a deep sense of pride.
Sloan had proven she could take care of herself, had proven that she was more than he had ever known, more than he could ever deserve.
But exactly what he wanted.
A second later, he walked toward her, his heart swelling with each step. And when he stood in front of her, he didn’t think of his training, didn’t think of anything but the voice in his head that told him to kiss her.
And so he did.
18
“What the hell was that, Sloan?” Adam asked a long time later.
She turned, looked up at him, her braids settling around her shoulders, lookin
g her usual adorable self, though after what he had seen earlier, Adam wouldn’t ever think of her the same way again.
“What’s that?” she asked, looking almost dreamy.
“What did you do to Alistair?”
She frowned for a moment and then lifted her face in a smile.
“I improvised.”
“Sloan,” he said, “that was idiotic.”
She shook her head. “No, it wasn’t. It was pretty damn smart, actually.”
“What gives you that idea?” Adam said.
“Alistair keeps a SIG in his drawer, but I don’t think I could have reached it in time. Plus it has a nasty kick, and I would have a hard time explaining away a gunshot,” she said.
Adam nipped at her shoulder, amused but not ready to let the point go.
“Why did you do anything at all?” he said.
“There was an opening. You would have taken it,” she said.
“That was damn stupid, Sloan,” he said, though he couldn’t help but smile at her.
“I just used the opening to my advantage. Alistair was too busy playing twenty questions with you to pay attention to me, so I acted. The helicopter rescue came in quick and swooped Alistair away while he was still out. So it all worked according to plan,” she said.
Adam looked at her, the admiration he felt for her nearly bursting out of his chest. “That was a pretty good leg sweep,” he said.
“Pretty good?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Okay, it was textbook,” he conceded, again looking at the incredible woman who had captured his heart with new eyes. “Seth taught you?”
She laughed, the sound one Adam knew he would never tire of. “No. Sloan Wakefield taught me,” she said.
It was his turn to frown.
“My dad,” she supplied.
“I don’t think he would have approved of it,” Adam said. “I sure as hell didn’t.”
She laughed again. “You don’t know my dad. He’s going to be so proud,” she said.