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“Elena doesn’t know about me.”
Jed frowned. “Why not?”
“Because we didn’t want her to.”
Jed scratched his head. “You’re her uncle, sir.”
“I know I’m her uncle, dammit. But I’ve kept my family away from who I am and what I do because of my lifestyle and career choice. My enemies. It would make both Carla and Elena targets.”
Jed nodded. “Okay, that I understand. Tough choice for you.”
“It was, but it was the right one.”
“So what do you need me to do?”
“We need to find out where Carla is, and keep Elena safe.”
Now the light was beginning to shine on this mission. “You think one of your enemies has figured out that Carla is your sister and has targeted her?”
“Possibly. I don’t know and won’t until I get down there and try to find her. But I can’t go hunt for Carla and protect Elena at the same time. So I need you to help.”
“Why me, General? I’m the new guy. Why not one of the others?” This was a pretty deep secret to share with the most recent recruit.
“Because I haven’t told them this secret. And because they’ve built up relationships with each other and stand to lose a lot if this goes wrong.”
Now he got it. He didn’t have the ties they all had—they all had someone to love. He was a loner, and therefore the easiest to take along on this assignment. “Understood.”
“I knew you would. Pack it up, we’re leaving in an hour. I’ll fill you in on Elena on the plane down there.”
Jed pivoted and left the office, realizing he’d just gotten royally fucked.
The general’s niece? And she didn’t know?
Yeah, this one had no-win scenario written all over it.
TWO
Elena Madison put the finishing touches on the display case just in time to open.
It was a lovely day, warm and sunny, and the ocean breeze swept into the shop as the doors were opened. Traffic was light so far, but having an upscale shop near the beach meant the more discerning clients had to fight the tourist traffic to get here.
She didn’t mind. She had repeat customers who didn’t mind the drive to the beach. And she liked the location, loved the view and wouldn’t sacrifice it. Her mother’s influence, no doubt. The only thing they shared in common—their love of the ocean.
She’d modeled her gallery after the beach and the water, always brought in pieces that reflected the ebb and flow of the tides, the way the landscape was always changing, just like art. Good designers knew this and changed with the tides, the seasons, the years.
The doorbell tinkled, and one of her favorite—and richest—customers stepped in. Louise wore colorful button-down shirts and khaki capri pants along with white tennis shoes. She looked like a tourist, but the woman was made of money. She had a condo overlooking the beach, and she was loaded. She loved to come in and share her stories about her husband and how the two of them had made a fortune in the real estate market in New York. Louise loved this area as much as Elena did, so they had a lot in common.
“Louise.” Elena smiled at the woman. Louise was in her seventies, and Elena admired Louise’s pep. “Finish your walk early today?”
“It’s such a glorious day. I walked all the way here from my condo. It’s my exercise for the day and I couldn’t resist stopping in to see if you had any new pieces.”
“You know I do. Come see.” She led Louise to the case where she highlighted the latest arrivals.
Louise’s eyes widened, and she slipped on the glasses she kept on a jeweled string around her neck. “Oh, these are lovely, Elena.”
Elena stood back and let Louise bend over to examine the necklaces.
“Who did the coral pieces?”
