Page 367 of The Romance Adventure

“Then there’s the family history and⁠—”

I’m not overly interested in hearing about Lorena’s life, because I don’t think it’ll lead me to what I seek—the same thing everyone under fifty in this room is after.

Instead, I study Johnny, understanding what makes him tick because it’s the same for me. Only, I didn’t have a mom who refills my lemonade or tries to be supportive.

We stay for the better part of the afternoon. Even though I’m technically on a case to take down Kent Von Dräger, it feels like I’m in the wind.

Excusing myself outside, I can see why Lorena chose this place to disappear with its palm trees pitched for the optimal amount of shade, a broad beachfront with no one for meters and meters, and the only sound is the shushing of the waves into shore.

Eventually, the guys exit the cottage, thanking Lorena for the hospitality and asking her to keep them updated about their grandmother’s status.

“We can send a doctor,” Lally offers.

“She has all the care she needs, but thank you,” Lorena says.

CJ nods and then his gaze snags on me. Several times now, he’s looked at me as if he doesn’t know me and is seeing me for the first time. My smile strains as my genuine love for this man vies with guilt. I push it away, hopefully out to sea. At least for now.

I take his hand because discovering his grandmother and aunt after all this time must be staggering. He grips it firmly as if he’s afraid I might wander off, get lost, or disappear for a few decades.

“The will said to seek her. Originally, I thought it was a sunken ship. But I think it was a person.”

Magnus, slowing his stride slightly, says, “You might be right about that.”

“But there’s still so much we don’t know,” CJ says vaguely.

“All I know is that I’m starved,” Lally says.

“I know just the place.” CJ insists on bringing us to a place called Hangman’s Tavern for dinner.

After we settle at a table, we all order frozen drinks. The waiter tells us the specials.

“You guys have the best Colombo curry and really good crab dishes. Am I right?” CJ says, sliding back into surfer dude mode.

The guy smiles and laughs, nodding because CJ seems to know the island’s best-kept secrets. But does he have some of his own?

After we order, CJ and Magnus recount stories Lorena and their grandmother told in broken English about Chip, adventures, and the crown while they were in the cottage.

“She said we’ll find it.”

“By it, do you mean the crown?” Lally asks.

CJ nods and smiles, then lifts and lowers his shoulders. “That was the impression I got.”

“You have competition,” I say.

Magnus snorts and shakes his head. “Glandman’s kid? He won’t find it.”

“Do you understand what motivates him?” I ask.

A bit of smoked fish dip falls off CJ’s cracker. Was it an accident, or is he trying to hide his curiosity?

“If you haven’t noticed, his ship is subpar. He and his mother don’t have much. He’s heard the same stories we have. He feels entitled to it,” Magnus answers.

Leaning back in my chair, I shake my head. “No, that’s not it at all. As I said in the kitchen, he wants to prove something to Glandman. Neither greed nor the desire for fame drives him to find the crown. It’s not for financial gain either, even though the golden relic would be a major payday.”

“Then what is it?” Lally asks.

“Revenge motivates Johnny.”