Jaci Burton - The Darkest Touch

“I’ll want to see your so-called credentials before I lay out a penny, Isabelle.”

She nodded. “I wouldn’t expect less. I’ll also want to see your financials, Dalton, to make sure you’re not some crazy kidnapper who’s going to lure me out on his boat, have his way with me, then drown me at sea.”

He laughed out loud. “I think we’re going to be great partners.”

Allowing herself to relax for the first time in days, Isabelle said, “I hope so. We both have a lot at stake here.”

“Where are you staying?”

She was almost embarrassed when she gave him the name of her hotel. It was the most inexpensive-okay, cheapest-one in town, but she was nearly out of money and she had to conserve wherever she could. Dalton had come along at the right time. By tomorrow she’d have been sleeping on the beach, or, God forbid, calling Angelique. Neither option appealed.

“I’ll have my full portfolio sent over this afternoon. Background and financial information, with all the appropriate numbers available to verify anything you need. Look it over thoroughly, and if it meets with your approval, my boat is here.” He took a notebook from his pocket and jotted something down, then tore off the sheet of paper and handed it to her.

She slid the paper into her shorts. “What about my information?”

“Just bring it along with you when you come. It won’t take long to have you checked out once you arrive.”

She nodded and stood, and so did he.

“I’ll see you by tonight, Isabelle.”

“That sure of yourself?”

“Yes.”

She liked his confidence. “Good-bye, Dalton.”

She turned and walked away, hoping this worked. She needed cash, and fast. She needed this find, or at least to find something.

Wasn’t it time for something positive to happen in her life?

Dalton allowed himself a moment to watch Isabelle walk away, admiring the soft sway of her hips.

He had spotted her two days ago, strolling along the boat dock. A diamond in the rough dressed in sand-colored shorts and a thin tank top, her hair pulled back in a dark gold ponytail. He’d paused for a second when he’d seen her, because she looked a lot like Angelique. Isabelle’s hair was lighter though, and her body was curvier in certain places. Where Angelique was athletic and slender, Isabelle was more. . lush.

A rush of heat had hit him instantly. Same thing happened this morning when he sat down across from her at the café and met her curious eyes. His body had gone haywire just looking at her, and he’d felt that same warmth again.

No, that was wrong. It wasn’t just warmth. It was an inferno. And she’d seemed completely oblivious to it.

An act? Maybe. Then again, maybe not.

Dalton shook his head at his wayward thoughts. Yeah, like he of all people should be thinking in that direction. But who wouldn’t be struck by the beauty of her eyes. A mix of gold and green, swirling, mesmerizing color.

She might be Angelique’s twin, but they weren’t identical. There were differences between them.

He’d been damn lucky to find her. And when she’d left the boat dock, he’d had a casual conversation with some of the boat owners about what she’d wanted. They’d called her some crazy archaeologist looking to hire a boat.

He knew instinctively what she was after. That’s when he’d come up with a plan.

He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and pressed a button. Lou answered on the first ring.

“You got that portfolio ready?” Dalton asked.

“I gather she took the bait?”

“Hook, line, and sinker. She wants a boat badly.”

“That’s good news. Everything’s in order. All of the records for your fictional corporation, Dalton International, should already be waiting for you on the boat. I had a messenger from the Realm deliver it.”

The Realm of Light, always on the ball as usual. “Thanks.”

“You know what you’re doing, Dalton?”

“I have a pretty good idea. I want to play along with her awhile.”

“Keep her close. We need to see if she has any connection or knowledge of the black diamond or the Sons of Darkness, and if she exhibits any demon behavior. Let me know if you find out anything.”

“What about Angelique?”

“Ryder’s with her. He’s watching over her now.”

“Don’t tell them I’ve found Isabelle. I want to do this on my own for a while, see what kind of situation we have here first before we reunite the sisters.”

Lou was silent for a moment. “Okay. I agree with that. It might work in our favor if Angelique still believes her sister is missing. She might give up the black diamond if she thinks the Realm of Light can help find Isabelle.”

“That’s what I like about you, Lou. You’re devious.”

Lou chuckled. “Not me. I leave that up to all of you.”

“Okay, I’m on it.”

“Work quickly. We don’t have much time.”

“I’ll do that.” Dalton hung up and headed to the boat.

Though that was an understatement. It was nearly as big as a freaking cruise ship, and docked off the harbor. He took the launch off the pier and headed to the yacht, shaking his head as the navigator approached the one-hundred-sixty-foot beauty. He didn’t know how the Realm of Light did it, and had never asked, but whatever any of the demon hunters needed-money, fake identities, props like this ostentatious floating city-one telephone call and within hours it appeared.

He’d been with the Realm for over ten years, and he’d seen money spent like water. They were well funded and he still didn’t know where it came from.

He knew this boat cost millions. Everything was polished to perfection, and there were so many rooms on the damn thing he could easily get lost, which meant he had some serious studying to do before Isabelle showed up. He was supposed to own this yacht. He’d better know it backwards and forwards before she got here.

And she would come. If the portfolio he’d asked Lou to put together contained everything he wanted it to, she’d come running.

Isabelle needed him, more than she could possibly know. Once in her presence, it hadn’t taken him long to read her, to get a sense of what was going on beyond her dire financial situation. There were undercurrents of something that wasn’t quite. . right within her. He didn’t know exactly what, but he knew all about things that weren’t normal.

After all, he wasn’t exactly normal. So he was probably in the best position to figure out who. . or what. . Isabelle Deveraux really was.

“Tase, I must speak with you.”

Tase turned and his brother, Aron, took a couple steps back. Tase kept his expression devoid of the smile that wanted to creep out at Aron’s obvious displeasure with Tase’s heat.

His difference from his brothers had always put him at an advantage-one he never failed to use whenever they were together. It reminded them who was in charge. His heat where the others were cold had always kept him separate from the other Lords. It was his punishment from their father, this heat he must live with instead of their normal icy cold. He had sinned, had transgressed, and Father had punished him, made him burn for it. Instead of bemoaning his fate, he had used it, benefited from it. Now he led with it. It had made him a leader. Father was proud of him for living with his sin, for using it for his own gain.

“Go ahead,” Tase said.

“One of the new recruits has found Angelique.”

“And?”

“The recruit is injured.”

“I don’t care about that. What of Angelique? Did he bring her back? And the black diamond?”

“She didn’t have it at her home. He worked her mind, saw it was not there.”

“I see. Did she reveal where it was? And what of her sister?”