Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
“I don’t know. I think she’s pretty,” another feminine voice said. “She actually reminds me a little of Ava Malone.”
“Only because she’s British,” the first woman argued. “She definitely doesn’t have Ava’s instincts. If someone like Deanna got her claws into David Malone, Ava would have sent her packing long ago. I don’t know what’s happening, but I suspect Deanna will get rid of the Brit in no time at all.”
Unfortunately, she wouldn’t have a chance to set Deanna straight because in a couple of days she would be back on a plane to the States, and on another one to England not long after that. She didn’t have a reason to stay behind.
“Would you like a drink, Ms. Banks?”
She heard a sharp gasp and turned. The gasp had come from the gossiping women while the question was from someone who should have known better. The CIA operative named Drake stood in front of her, dressed in his server’s uniform, a tray of drinks in his hand.
Even as she could hear the women moving away, she sent Drake a look to let him know she didn’t appreciate the interference. But she could use a drink. “Yes, I’ll take a martini. Gin. Up with a twist.”
It looked like she would need it.
He frowned and tipped his tray her way. “But I have piña coladas.”
“Then you’re useless to me.” She glanced back and JT was busy listening to an older man talk about the best golf courses. All three of their suspects were in the room, and it didn’t look like they would be going anywhere. She could take a moment to check in with her team.
She strode toward the back of the large room to the big bar where Sandra Croft was mixing drinks. Luckily, everyone in the group seemed to be busy with their conversations. There were waiters winding through the party with drinks and appetizers, and no one was sitting at the bar. Sandra looked up from her blender and smiled Nina’s way, sliding a martini glass in front of her.
They were alone with a good fifty feet between them and the party, so she hopped onto a barstool. “Thank god. I was worried I would have to drink those overly sweet things.”
Sandra gave a prefilled container a nice shake and poured the drink over the twist of lemon that completed Nina’s favorite cocktail. “I know what you like. I also know that you and the mister don’t appear to be getting along.”
“Yeah, I noticed that, too.” Drake had followed her though he still had a tray full of piña coladas he’d been offering the guests. “I thought you were supposed to be engaged.”
“And I thought you were supposed to be discreet,” she shot back. “I was listening to that conversation.” She looked to Sandra. “They were gossiping about my chances of surviving Deanna.”
“Oh, I think they would be surprised at what you could do to that one.” Sandra went to work pouring out some more drinks. “Though I think they’re wrong about the assistant. I’ve been watching her all night. I don’t think she’s into JT. I think she’s into her job, but not her boss. She doesn’t look at him that way.”
“There’s a way to look at someone?” Nina asked.
“Yes,” Sandra said with a chuckle. “It’s this look of complete longing and desire. If you want to know what it looks like, I’ve got a mirror for you.”
Nina rolled her eyes and took a long drink. “You’ve been talking to Taggart.”
Drake frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Talking. Conversing. It’s when two or more people exchange words,” Sandra said. “In this case it was on a conference call. Hutch was there, too. That boy can eat. I thought he kept that candy on his desk because he wanted the kids to like him. I don’t blame him. Tag’s twins can be mean and bribery works with them, but he can pack away the sweets.”
Drake raised a brow. “I was asking what you meant by Nina’s got a look of longing. Because she better not be longing for the billionaire. Not in real life. Is that why you’re not over there doing your job? You know they’re all gossiping about why you and your fiancé have been so distant.”
“She’s been here for all of four hours,” Sandra shot back. “Leave her alone. Do you know who isn’t doing his job right now? It’s you. People won’t wonder why the new girl is sitting in the back talking to the bartender, but they might wonder why the new girl, the bartender, and some random waiter are having a meeting. Go, little boy. Serve drinks.”
Drake’s jaw tightened, but he picked up his tray. “I’m not joking, Blunt. Don’t fuck this up with feelings.”
Sandra shook her head. “He’s a little asshole, but I’ll get him in line in the end. Now tell Auntie Sandra what went wrong with the billionaire. Was he bad in bed? Because I wouldn’t be surprised. That boy is so pretty he doesn’t have to be good in bed. I’m working on that with Drake, too. Pretty boys need to try harder.”