Terri Reed - Double Cross

Kiki frowned at him. “Of course. I know that. It’s just…”

“The note.” The threat. The explosion yesterday. Anger burst anew in his gut.

“Yeah. The note. I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything and I’m being ridiculous. It just unnerved me.”

“Which I would imagine was the sender’s intent. But the pipe bomb yesterday wasn’t meant only to scare, it destroyed your truck. I’m telling you, call the police.”

She waved his suggestion away. “Later.”

“Waiting is not a good idea.”

That stubborn, you’re-not-going-to-tell-me-what-to-do look came into her eyes. He could argue with her until he was blue in the face and he wouldn’t get anywhere. So he took a different tactic.

He grabbed her hand. “My father was a cop. One of my brothers is a sheriff. I’ve heard enough stories to know waiting is never a good thing when it comes to threats of any kind. Yeah, it may be nothing but it might be something and wouldn’t you rather be proven right than wrong?”

Her gaze narrowed but the worry there didn’t lessen. “Fine. I’ll go call Nik.”

“Good idea. Nik seemed competent.”

Ryan released her hand and she went inside.

Taking a seat on the porch steps, Ryan blew out the tension and focused his gaze on the tropical vista spread out before him. No wonder someone had decided this piece of property would be the perfect spot for a resort.

The rolling landscape, full of colorful foliage extending toward the rugged cliffs, was a glorious contrast above the churning, white-capped waves of the Pacific Ocean. The darker hues of the water blended with the brighter blue sky at the horizon line. A truly captivating scene.

He shifted his attention to the flower farm’s rows of exotic plants. He had no doubt that even when the beautiful array of red, yellow, white and pink of the cultivated flowers were gone, the view would still be breathtaking.

He could envision a lush, manicured lawn in place of the crops and a huge white gazebo for weddings. Possibly even a small stage for miniconcerts. The place would be a gold mine in the tropics. A gold mine that would fill his own bank account.

“Nik’s on his way,” Kiki stated as she joined him on the stairs.

“Great.” Ryan shifted his gaze to meet hers. “This would be a wonderful place for a high-end resort set up for weddings and events where people want more privacy than can be found at the other resorts right on the beach.”

She frowned and turned her gaze toward the ocean. “There are other places on the island that would work. Places that aren’t currently occupied and aren’t important to me.”

A cramp of remorse gripped him but he suppressed it. This was the land his client wanted. He purposefully ignored her last statement. “Really? Hmph. I didn’t find any other suitable properties when I researched the island.”

A flash of annoyance crossed her face. “That’s because you don’t know where to look.”

“So where are these other places?”

“I’ll show you after church tomorrow.”

Was she suggesting they spend more time together? Unaccountably pleased by the notion, he teased, “Does that mean you’re inviting me to church?”

She met his gaze dead on and straightened her spine. “Yes. I guess I am.”

He blinked. Pleasure, followed closely by a twinge of guilt, chased down his spine. He’d just imagined her beloved flower farm being replaced with a mega resort. How would this personal step affect his deal? Hmm. He wasn’t sure he wanted to analyze that. “I would love to join you for church.”

“Really? So you’re a churchgoer?”

“Every Sunday, growing up. Faith is very important to my family.” And to him. Though there were times he wished he understood God better.

“Good.” Her mouth twisted wryly. “It’s not your traditional church.”

His eyebrows rose. “What does that mean? You don’t offer sacrifices or burned offerings, do you?”

She laughed, the very appealing sound tingled in his chest.

“No, of course not,” she said. “It’s a Christian church, but with some Hawaiian traditions incorporated into the service.”

“That sounds interesting.” He held her gaze, liking how open she was at the moment.

As if she sensed his appreciation, she looked away, following the same visual path he had wandered moments ago. Though he doubted she was envisioning a five-star hotel.

“I hate this waiting. Where could Tutu be?”

The anxiousness in her pretty eyes troubled him. He wished he could lift the burden of fear off her slender shoulders. Her very personal and nonbusiness invitation to church gave him an idea. Taking a chance that she’d not rebuff him for invading her bubble, he slipped his arm around her waist, drawing her close, liking how perfectly they fit together. “Would you like to pray?”

“Oh, yes,” she replied, her expression grateful and heart-wrenching. She bowed her head slightly and closed her eyes.

Writing off this very intimate action on his part as only human decency, Ryan bowed his head but kept his gaze alert for any sudden threats.

“Father God, we humbly ask for your protection over Tutu. Bring her home safely. I…”

A tear fell and landed on the dirt-covered stair by her feet. Ryan couldn’t stand to see her cry and hugged her closer, aching for her and wishing he could make her fear and worry evaporate. He added his own silent prayer, Please, God, give this woman peace and comfort and don’t let anything bad happen.

Where was Tutu?

Kiki shook her head and wiped at her eyes as she pulled away. “Sorry.”

“No need to be. Not with me.”

She smiled slightly and caught his gaze. Light flicked in the depths of her gold-flecked eyes. He wanted to reach toward the glow, to rejoice within the heat of her stare. The moment stretched as some indescribable emotion welled in his chest, constricting his breathing.

“Are you hungry?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Starved,” he replied as his gaze dropped to her lips. What would she do if he kissed her?

She scrambled to her feet as if she’d read his thought. “Come in. I’ll fix something.”

Ryan shook his head to clear his thoughts, glad she’d broken the moment. Kiss her? No way was he going down some romantic road just because he’d lost his mind for a few seconds.

Pure insanity.

He was here for a reason that had nothing to do with forming an emotional relationship with Kiki. He really had to get a grip and keep focused. To remind himself of his purpose, he looked back over his shoulder at the view.

The land, vibrant and energizing in all its natural beauty from the densely tree-covered hillside, the acres of terrain with so much potential, all the way to the cliffs where the reverberation of the churning surf crashing on the rocks and sand below made a calming background sound.

Definitely worth the money Horatio was offering. The money Ryan would make if the sale went through. The money that would bring him that much closer to financial success. Then he could plan his future.

But first he had to protect his investor’s interest.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.