Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
It seemed more exciting than walking down a runway and showing off designer clothes. Not that she was knocking the career she’d been fortunate to cultivate so young in life or the other girls who loved it. Nikki was just interested in finding something different. Something more.
A rap sounded and she jumped, as did Panda. The dog began to bark and Winter shushed her. Nikki walked to the door and glanced through the peephole again.
“Derek,” she said, relieved. “It’s my brother.” She undid the locks again and Derek strode past her. “Did I hear a… dog?” His eyes fell to Winter and Panda.
“Derek, this is my neighbor, Winter Capwell. Winter, my brother, Derek Bettencourt.”
He narrowed his gaze. “I thought I said not to let anyone in?”
“You said no one I didn’t know. I know Winter.”
Winter’s smile was tight. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m glad you’re looking out for your sister. I’m going to take the dog for her walk. Take care, Nikki. I’ll check on you soon.”
Nikki nodded. “Thanks for stopping by.”
Derek walked Winter out and locked up again before turning to Nikki.
She held up a hand. “Please don’t give me a hard time. She stopped by as a friend, and I could use one of those right now.”
His eyes softened in understanding. “I know. I didn’t expect to see anyone here. Are you packed?”
She nodded. “I just have to put a few things in my toiletry bag.” Thanks to the travel involved in her career, she always had a cosmetic kit ready to go. “I take it Asher agreed to let me stay at his house?”
Derek put a hand on her back and they walked to her bedroom. “It took some convincing but he’s meeting us at the airport. He’ll take you to the island and stay with you until it’s time for you to come home.”
“What?” Nikki spun around to face her brother. “You can’t be serious. I don’t know him and I’ll feel like I’m invading his space.”
It was Derek’s turn to hold up a hand, pushing off her objection. “I still don’t believe anyone will figure out where you are, but I’ll feel better knowing you won’t be alone. I trust him. Asher knows his staff, and he’ll be aware if anyone sneaks onto the property who isn’t allowed. Do this for me?”
She frowned but couldn’t say no. Not after her brother had gone to the trouble to arrange this getaway for her safety.
“Look at it this way. Mom and Dad won’t know where you are either.” His lips lifted in a smirk, and she couldn’t help but laugh, too.
“Okay. I’ll do it for you. Because you’re the best brother, Derek. Seriously.”
Nikki then left a message for her agent that she was disappearing until things blew over, only telling her she’d be in touch when she was ready. There was no one else she needed to call. She finished packing and they took the private elevator downstairs to the garage where he’d parked his car.
At Derek’s direction, she lay down on the back seat, so when he pulled out of the parking garage, none of the paparazzi lurking with cameras could see her. He waited until he was certain they weren’t followed before telling her she could sit up.
On the ride to the airport, she remained silent, her thoughts consumed with her soon-to-be host. She was well aware the man probably had to be talked into staying with her on the island. His most recent dealing with her had been years ago, but she’d been hysterical after being detained by airport security and customs agents, her mother’s yelling had been ringing in her ear, and she’d been a bitch to both Asher and Derek. She’d never seen him again to apologize, and it was way too late to bring it up now.
Yet Derek had asked him to drop everything and babysit her because she’d ended up with naked photos splashed on the internet. She cringed at what Asher probably thought of her. As they pulled into the airport hangar, she could add one more word to describe what she was feeling.
Nervous to face Asher Dare.
* * *
Asher stood in the airplane hangar and checked his watch, a Patek Philippe Mariner he’d purchased when he’d made his first million on his own, without the family hotel business income included. Derek and his sister should arrive any minute, and he braced himself for the week to come. With any luck, she was a sunbather who’d enjoy the beach, prefer solitude, and leave him to work and do his own thing.
Escorting her around the nearby town and sharing meals could get awkward. What did he have in common with a twenty-one year-old?
His cell rang, and seeing it was his brother, Harrison, he answered the call. “Hello?”
“Hey,” Harrison said. “I just got to Mom and Dad’s and they said you took off. Sorry I missed you.”