Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 149137 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149137 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
He took a deep breath. This was good. It was good that he knew what his “friend” was capable of. And yes, it was good that he now knew not to take Kayla into that compound. No matter how badass she was, she was still human, and she would be outnumbered and outgunned and moving into a situation neither one of them understood. Hell, just the fact that she used to be CIA could get her killed at that compound.
“I might leave her here altogether.” He could take Shane and Declan with him. “I’m scheduled to go out to Hector’s place at the beginning of the shoot, but things can go awry with a shoot like this. It will be fairly easy to tell him I can’t come until later and then fly out early. I can keep the set closed and if he shows up, I’ll act like nothing’s out of the ordinary.”
“You think you can handle that?”
“I know I can. I’m actually quite good at my job.” It would be convincing Kay that it was best she stay behind that would be the real task at hand. He wouldn’t be good at that, but he had to make it work.
Her life depended on it.
* * * *
Kayla walked along the beach, her feet sinking in the sand. The tide rushed in, covering her ankles with Pacific Ocean water. The water was a chilly tickle to her skin in direct contrast to the heat of the sun on the rest of her body. Oh, this was her home. This was where she felt healthy and whole, and she’d avoided it for so long because… Well, she was certain Ariel would tell her she hadn’t felt worthy of being healthy and whole.
Maybe she was finally coming out of it, finally processing that she was here in the real world and she’d done her duty. She was ready to move on and find a real life.
With Josh.
She glanced down the beach and the one thing that could trip her up was striding her way.
“You know you’re dressed for the part of the beachcombing tourist, but no one will buy it because your shoulders are around your ears. What’s going on, Ezra?”
She’d watched him as he walked up the beach. He was in a pair of board shorts and a T-shirt, showing off toned arms and his muscular body. A pair of aviators completed the laid-back look, but unlike all the people around him who were enjoying a low-tide stroll, there was nothing at all relaxed about Ezra Fain. He’d walked onto the beach with one purpose, and it wasn’t looking for seashells.
“We need to talk.”
“Yes, I rather thought you covered that with your text. You know according to the contract I signed, Josh has the right to check my phone. I don’t know how much he’s going to like some random number sending me gibberish.”
“I don’t care. I want to know what happened last night,” Fain demanded.
She sighed. She should have expected this. “I’m sorry I haven’t sent a report in. It’s been crazy around here. My dads showed up and they do not take no for an answer when it comes to brunch. I had to do some fast talking to get them to go home. As it is, I promised we would visit when we get back from Mexico. Let’s walk a little bit. I’ve got a serious food baby going on, and if the press gets a pic, then all the real baby rumors will start up.”
“You know you’re falling way too deep into this role. We? You mean you and Josh, right? Your op is over when you leave Mexico.”
“It doesn’t have to be.” She knew he wasn’t going to be on board with her plan, but he should probably know what she intended to do. “I’ve been thinking about it and it kind of makes sense for me to stay on for a while. It would look weird if I up and quit right after a shoot. He still needs protection and McKay-Taggart can provide it. I’ll simply shift from the Agency’s priorities to my company’s.”
“God, Levi is right. You’re in love with him.”
“My feelings for Josh will not compromise this op. I promise you that. I know how important this is.”
“You think I’m only worried about the op?” He put his hands on his hips and did an excellent impersonation of an annoyed older brother. “Did you or did you not nearly get murdered last night? What the hell was that about? Because according to Riley, you did. Not only did you nearly get killed, but he was worried about sending you off alone with the man. He said Josh had shown no signs at all of any fear or emotion other than anger at the two of you.”