Island Holiday (Brookwell Island #4)

Chapter 7

Connor and Sonya had worked in their separate corners through the rest of the night. At least, he worked through the night. Sonya had gone to her bedroom at some point. Knowing her commitment to this case, she probably kept working. Mostly, he felt bad for not noticing her departure.

He’d been consumed with his search, confident he’d found a trail. But following it—tedious work from one facial recognition point to the next—didn’t pan out. Irritated with the wild goose chase, he’d gone to his bedroom to crash, only to have his Sonya fantasies overtake his dreams during the few hours he slept.

And when he wasn’t dreaming of her body tangled with his, he was fighting off men who wanted to take her away from him.

He woke to sounds of her moving around in the kitchen and soon the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee motivated him to get up. Should’ve seized that open invitation for more kisses when he had the chance. Although making out with Sonya would likely lead to even more inspiring and arousing dreams.

He dragged himself to the shower—cold—and got dressed. Even put on his shoes immediately. He wanted to be prepared for anything. Yesterday’s close call at the coffee shop proved she’d made herself a target. The trick would be to figure out what had tipped off Zimmer and exactly what he’d hired those thugs to do if they’d caught her. He suspected Gamble would be reaching out with an opinion or a solution soon.

One more facet of a frustrating case, but Connor would keep Sonya safe no matter what.

When he walked out of the bedroom, she was in the center of the condo, her hands wrapped around a mug, staring at the entertainment center.

“Is the remote on the fritz?” he asked. “You can always walk over and turn it on.”

She turned quickly, then hissed as hot coffee sloshed over the cup’s rim and onto her hand. “Ow!”

Crap. Now he felt bad. “You okay?”

She nodded. “Just annoyed with myself. Lost in thought.”

He took a moment to hope she’d been thinking about him for even a fraction of the time he was distracted by her. Ambling toward the kitchen, he was grateful for the fresh coffee in the pot. “Is it the coffee, me, or something else?”

Her head tilted as she trailed him. “Something else.”

Leaning back against the counter, he breathed in the rich scent before taking his first sip. She was far more potent than the caffeine he was about to gulp down. Her hair was pulled back from her face this morning, the curls gathered high on her head. Her gaze was intense and her dark eyebrows knit into a thoughtful frown. There were faint shadows under her eyes, but those didn’t detract from her overall beauty. Her lips… Well, best not to focus on the masterpiece that was her mouth. She nipped her lower lip as she gathered her thoughts and all he wanted to do was take over and soothe that spot himself.

He had to stop this. Had to find his self-control. Wasn’t as if they didn’t have other things to discuss. Besides, he’d come clean and made his interest clear. Best to give her time and space to make the next move.

Assuming she meant it when she said she’d let him kiss her again.

He realized a beat too late that she’d been talking while his mind drifted. He took a slug of coffee and held up a finger to stop her. “Apologies. Can you start over, please? Not enough sleep.”

Sympathy flared in her big dark eyes. “Do you struggle to sleep in new places?”

Yes. “Depends on the place,” he allowed. Prison was particularly harrowing and not at all relevant right now. “The accommodations are fine. Just not enough hours.”

“Oh.” She set her coffee on the counter for a refill and he tried not to be jealous of her head start. “I didn’t sleep too much myself. I was just admitting that the finances just aren’t cooperating.”

This was not the news he’d hoped for. One of them needed to find a crack in Zimmer’s armor—and fast. “When you analyze finances, do you recognize a certain pattern in the way an individual handles their money?”

Her frown returned. “That’s a fairly accurate assessment. There are always patterns to deposits and withdrawals. Most people get paid on a schedule and pay their bills the same way.”

“But Zimmer’s using a project fund, right?”

“Yes,” she said slowly. “Connor, we’ve been over this.”

“I know. Sorry. I’m wondering if any money habits would coincide with the social media posts for the women who fell off the radar.” He wasn’t ready to call them victims, not while they had time to find them.

She took her coffee mug over to the counter and hopped up on the stool. Her hands wrapped around the mug once more. He indulged himself with a study of her elegant hands, automatically picturing that ring on her finger.

Talk about rushing things.

“It’s possible,” Sonya murmured, clearly lost in her own thoughts. “With Zimmer the money isn’t like a regular bank account. His personal accounts are spotless.”

“Not even questionable payments to a couple of thugs in the Charlotte area?”

She pressed her lips together. “That’s another avenue,” she said. “Should’ve thought of it myself.”

He felt like an ass. “That’s not what I meant.”

“No. It’s okay.” She tapped her nails lightly on the granite countertop. “I’m wondering if I’ve missed an account somewhere along the way.”

“Doubtful.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m serious. His personal account shows regular paychecks from the university along with those hefty consulting fees that come in quarterly. The regular outgoing expenses are pretty standard: mortgage, utilities, groceries.”

“So he’s paying himself?” The man had a pretty sweet setup.

Her lip curled. “Yes. It’s so sketchy.”

He smothered a laugh. He found her even more appealing when she was in her judgy mode.

“He pays himself and the students he recruits with the project fund. Most of the time it’s a wire transfer. Occasionally a cashier’s check. Always small enough to go unreported.”

Zimmer was slick. “But consistent enough that you can track it.”

“Yes.”

He knew this wasn’t much help to her, but maybe rehashing it would help him find a new search angle. “Does he donate to any charities? Or maybe he’s been investing in a new company.”

She chewed on her lip. “That’s a smart idea. I’ll look. Again.” She turned those big eyes on him. “I did confirm that the women who didn’t return home were paid. The money has cleared, but the accounts haven’t been active, aside from typical subscriptions.” His face must’ve gone blank because she added, “Music, gym memberships, that kind of thing.”

“Gyms. Yes.” He topped off his coffee and grabbed his phone. “Big oversight on my part. If it’s a chain, I can narrow our search.” Figuring it was best to start with where they were, he searched for gyms close to the condo.

“Assuming they’re using the facility. How many people do you know who subscribe and never use the service?”

“Fair. I’m still looking.”

“Besides, you said they announced a social hiatus or something for a special project. You think Zimmer would really let them do whatever they pleased?”

Her question—the implication that Zimmer could be involved with human trafficking—was chilling. “They aren’t behaving like captives,” he said. Though he couldn’t be absolutely sure. The social media accounts could be manipulated. “I really think he’s convinced them it’s something else. Some fun experiment.”

“I hope you’re right.”

He swallowed.

And he hoped his theory wouldn’t be proven wrong in the worst possible way. Desperate to find anything, he dug deep, doing what he did best: finding people who didn’t want to be found.

***

Sonya watched, fascinated by Connor’s intense focus. No wonder he’d found her when she’d been too scared to leave an Ellington property. Whatever programs he used, he was diligent and relentless with combing through the data.

She fixed eggs and toast for both of them, sliding a plate, fork, and napkin within his reach when the food was ready. No surprise, he ate absently, though he did look up long enough to say thanks.

His focus inspired her. After finishing her breakfast, she resumed her own searches. Anything to find Zimmer’s trail or an indication of his intentions. She went back, reviewing all the payments from the project fund for the past ninety days. Pulling out her notebook, she confirmed all the payments to his recruits. Those all matched up. She kept digging through his consulting fees and then his expenses. Nothing was jumping out at her.

There had to be something. Some payment or connection that would justify why those men had jumped them yesterday. People like that didn’t do favors for free. And Zimmer was smart enough that his scam hadn’t been stopped yet. He was smart enough to realize she was on to him.

Annoying, but true.

How did he hire and pay enforcers, or whatever they called themselves?

When would he have decided to do such a thing?

Comparing her handwritten notes to the electronic records on her screen, she thought about when Zimmer would’ve noticed her getting close. It couldn’t have been too long ago or she likely would be a statistic by now.

Galling to realize just how much more she had to learn about being in the field. She glanced at him. He had such a strong, handsome profile. Not the point. She considered her relatively short stint with the agency and how her habits might be perceived. If they’d wanted her protected, wanted someone to stay close, they couldn’t have made a better choice.

No one had any idea she found him attractive. But after working with him, it was probably clear to their bosses that she trusted him nearly as much as she trusted Hannah.

And they never would’ve sent Hannah into the field with her, even if she wasn’t taking some holiday time with her husband.

“Connor?”

“Hm?”

“They sent you to protect me, didn’t they?”

“Yes.” He jerked around so fast he nearly toppled the chair. “I mean—”

“You don’t have to explain it.” She waved off his concern. “I’m grateful.”

“Sonya.”

“Seriously, I’m glad for it. Keep doing your thing.”

His brow furrowed and his mouth slanted into a frown. “You’re sure.”

“Mm-hm.”

She set her laptop aside and walked toward the panoramic view of the city through the slider. She considered going out, but it was overcast and rainy. Probably cold too. It hadn’t taken her any time at all once she’d left home to adjust and prefer the winters near Charleston. She didn’t need four full seasons. She could travel to satisfy those urges.

Behind her, she heard Connor get up.

“It’s not a big deal,” she said.

“This is.” He gently turned her around and kissed her.

Her mind blanked from one heartbeat to the next. This wasn’t a performance or an evasive maneuver. He kissed her as if she was the answer to everything.

With her senses overwhelmed by him, she wanted to be everything he might need, want, or dream of. He held her body flush against his, her soft curves melting into the hard planes of his chest and thighs. Her hands slid under his shirt and her fingers traced ripped muscles, her palms soaked up the heat radiating from him. Just how much time did he spend in the gym?

He tipped her chin back, running his lips and tongue down her throat and across her collarbone. She shivered. If he kept that up, she’d be naked in no time. She’d never responded to a touch with this much need. “Connor.” She breathed his name, not sure if it was to urge him on or slow him down.

He lifted his head, a question burning in his gaze. That look blasted away any doubts. Slowing down was not on her agenda.

She pressed up on her toes and laid claim to his mouth. Between the swift, hot kisses, she mumbled concerns about work. The case. Those three young women who could be anywhere.

“I set an alert,” he said, cradling her face in his hands. “It will let us know if the search turns up anything worthwhile.”

She could learn so much from him.

Professionally.

If she was in the right headspace.

At the moment, all she wanted to study was his body and how it fit with hers. She was out of control and couldn’t find an ounce of her normally staunch responsibility. Desire and an unrelenting need had taken over. Pure lust and instinct. And she didn’t want to interfere with all the wonderful sensations that felt so marvelously perfect.

A touch, a gasp, a whispered word, she wasn’t about to put a halt to this when it felt like the best Christmas ever. Days early, but who was counting?

“I didn’t expect this,” she murmured as his mouth traced the shell of her ear.

He stilled. “Tell me to stop.”Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt. “Please don’t stop.” She gave him a little shake when he hesitated. “I don’t do this… Don’t do wild or reckless.” She was on the pill for her body more than any serious precaution. She hadn’t been in a relationship in years.

“Same.”

It took her a beat to realize he wasn’t talking about relationships. Just right here and now. This wasn’t about tomorrow or even next week. This was simply chemistry. Hormones. Spontaneous combustion between consenting adults.

“I’m on the pill,” she said at the same time he announced he had condoms.

It made her laugh and she dropped her head to his chest, catching her breath. “Guess that makes us two highly prepared singles.”

Then she shrieked as he swept her up into his arms. “Bonus points for us.”