Island Holiday (Brookwell Island #4)

Chapter 11

Connor got to work as soon as they were settled. They had a suite in a hotel overlooking the Ashley River. Now that he had names and dates, he pulled out all his best research tricks—only a few of them were one hundred percent legal—and all too soon confirmed their theory. Sonya had been spotted while tailing Zimmer.

Mertens, assuming she was the facilitator, had acted as soon as she recognized the risk to the overall operation.

“You want the good news or bad news?” he asked.

“Good news,” Sonya replied immediately.

“Probably wasn’t a tripwire hidden in the financials.”

“Hooray,” she deadpanned. Frowning, she set her laptop aside. “So, what’s the bad news? How did I screw it up?” She curled her legs under her on the couch, making herself smaller. He hated that it was her first instinct. She was smart, independent, bold, and determined. All those characteristics made her shine. “Was it in Brookwell?”

“No.”

“Oh, God!” Her hands curled into fists and her eyes went wide. “Did I expose Jess?”

“No.” He sat down on the opposite end of the couch, ready to pull her out of hiding mode. “Jess doesn’t work in the field,” he reminded her.

“But Jess was right there that day I followed Zimmer to the marina.”

Connor shook his head. “Best I can tell, the Brookwell trip was a trap to prove that you being in his vicinity wasn’t a coincidence. Someone was following you in Myrtle Beach.”

She chewed on her lip. “I guess that lines up. I spoke with one of the testers before her flight home.” She pushed her hands into her hair. “I’ve been so foolish.”

“I disagree,” he argued. “You’re motivated. Smart. And braver than most people.”

“You have to say that,” she muttered.

“Because we slept together?” He laughed. “Hardly.” Her mouth parted in shock and he stifled another laugh. “You wouldn’t have slept with me if I was that kind of easy pushover.”

“You sound sure of yourself.”

“I’m sure of you.” He held his ground, willing her to uncoil and come closer to him. “You followed your gut, put yourself out there.”

“And I’d likely be dead or kidnapped by now without you.”

He suppressed a shudder. His money was on dead. Keeping her alive wouldn’t eliminate the risk she posed to the operation. “You’re right here. With me.” The words were meant to reassure himself as much as comfort her. “And we can finish this.”

“How?” She looked miserable. “Zimmer has all the leverage. Those girls don’t even realize they’re in trouble.”

Connor shared her fears that this wouldn’t work out well. “But we do. Morning Acquisitions has property nearby. The gym they visited is only a short drive away. I’ve already asked for a protector to go in and scope it out. We’ll find the girls and Zimmer too. All while you and I stay under the radar.”

“Which means what, exactly?”

“We have the edge.”

She rolled her eyes, clearly not buying into his encouragement.

“Sonya, I’ve got facial rec programs running for all three students plus Zimmer. You’ve got something similar running on his financial activity.”

She grimaced. “Only effective if he uses the accounts I’m monitoring.”

Connor was confident enough for both of them. “From what I’ve seen the man’s arrogant. Believes he’s untouchable. And laying low, keeping you out of sight, only convinces them that they’ve scared you off.”

She twisted her fingers together. “I’ll have to take your word.”

He couldn’t stand it anymore, he had to touch her. Reaching out, he took her hands in his, soothing the tension away with slow, even strokes over her palms and one by one along her slender, elegant fingers. “Do that. Take my word.” And anything else. He’d give his all for her. Whatever she asked of him, he would do. Whatever resources he had—tangible or intangible—he would share.

The idea should give him pause, but it didn’t. Every minute spent with her only convinced him she was the one. Maybe because he saw in her a kindred spirit. She’d come through hell and kept right on going and growing. Getting stronger with every challenge, embracing the opportunities that came her way.

On a sigh, she relaxed and scooted across the couch, closer to him. “I appreciate your patience, Connor.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

With one hand still linked in his, she dropped her head back to stare at the ceiling. “What do you think is really going on here?”

He squeezed her hand lightly. “Here, here? Or with Zimmer’s con?”

She shifted closer still, her knee pressing into his thigh. “Here,” she tapped a finger to his shoulder, “you’re seducing me.”

She didn’t sound too upset by the idea. “Am I?” He moved slowly and deliberately, drawing her back to rest against his body. He loved the shape of her, the way her soft curves fit against him. He adored the fragrance of her skin and the silky sound of her voice when she was completely relaxed.

“Yes.” But she didn’t resist or move away. She continued to melt into his support. “But we need to figure out Zimmer’s con.”

“We will.” He rubbed her shoulders, urging her to relax. Lost in her, in the moment, they both jumped when his cell phone blared from the coffee table.

She reached over and grabbed the device, handing it to him. The caller ID showed Logan Harris’s face. They’d worked together several times. “This is Brady. You’re on speaker.”

“Found your students.”

“Seriously?” Sonya sat up in a hurry. “Are they safe?”

Connor was more deliberate as he straightened. “What did you learn?”

“They told me they’re here for a special influencer training. Like a holiday bootcamp to start next year with a big push for a new cell phone app,” he reported. “All three of them are thrilled with the accommodations—all-expenses paid holiday fun.”

“And Zimmer?” Connor asked.

“We chatted for a while at the condo pool. Was hard to work him into the conversation without raising suspicions, but they said they meet with the project manager over Zoom each day. No in-person contact for a few days now.”

Sonya dashed off to her computer. Connor stifled a sigh. So much for the seduction—her mind was now elsewhere. He didn’t fault her dedication to the case. Hell, he usually shared that single-minded focus.

“Thanks, Logan. If anything changes, let us know.”

“You’ll be the first,” Logan replied. “Jess is heading up the surveillance team.”

“That’s great. Happy holidays.”

“To you too, man.”

The call ended and Connor pocketed the phone as he strolled into the kitchenette. It was his turn to provide sustenance while she searched for more incriminating evidence to put the proverbial nail in Zimmer’s coffin.

And hopefully drag Mertens down with him.