Page 27 of Riptide

“The fire did a number on the clubhouse. It could take up to a year to rebuild it. So I rented out a mansion in Rancho Santa Fe to use temporarily. Selby’s been helping me get things in order. It was supposed to be a grand reopening of sorts. We’re doing a jump during the day and then having an evening event.”

“But what am I supposed to tell people? I mean…I’m walking dead here, dude.”

“I don’t know. Maybe we say nothing. Do a masquerade.”

Seth laughed. “It’s sus right off the bat.”

“I’ll say you’re friends of Evan’s. We’ll introduce Kaimana as being a close friend of his. Imply she knows all his closest secrets. Maybe she worked with him on a special project in LA? Selby can help.”

“No one’s going to believe it. They might recognize my voice,” Seth challenged. “What about Lars? We’ve got to tell him what’s going on.” Guilt speared through him at the realization Lars had watched him go over the cliff, probably carried responsibility for his death.

“He’s traveling out of the country right now. And Braelynn is out of the country too. In hiding…witness protection. Giordano is in custody and is going to go on trial. Dean says they haven’t gotten any information out of him.”

“But I think we should tell Lars. I bet he took my death hard. I know him,” Seth told Garrett.

“I know him too. Well enough that his ass will be back in the States and wanting to help us. We’ve got to keep this small. Contained. If there’s a mole still at the club, they’ll be watching us. They could be in the office. Anything out of the ordinary will raise suspicions. It’s best to keep you hidden for now. If they are out to kill Kaimana, they’ll know you made it and are back in town.”

“Okay, let’s think this through. I’ve only reached out to you using Kaimana’s phone. I was hesitant even using it after what happened on the boat.” Seth rubbed his temple with his fingers. “I still don’t like the idea of using Kaimana as bait though. I can toss out the idea that I’ve got news about Evan. If the mole is there, he’s going to come at me because—”

“I’ll do it,” Kaimana interrupted.

“Kaimana, no—”As she extended her hand towards him, he reached for the small square of paper. Tendrils of arousal danced over his skin as her fingers brushed his. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

She shot him a knowing look as she navigated around his legs, her calf brushing his. She sat next to Seth and tucked her feet under her.

Seth slowly rubbed his fingers along the front of the torn match box flap as he examined it. Its brushed gold surface had been rubbed black along its edges. A single word was etched onto its face in large bold letters. Xtra.

“Xtra,” Seth stated.

“It’s a club in LA,” Garrett said.

“What kind of club?” she asked.

“It’s, uh,” he looked to Seth and hesitated before continuing, “It’s an adult club.”

“Like a strip club?” Kaimana asked.

“Like a sex club.” Garrett nodded with an amused grin.

“Well, okay then.” Kaimana glanced at Seth and back to Garrett.

“I take it you’ve never been to one.”

“Yeah, no. Don’t get me wrong. Whatever floats your boat. It’s just not my kind of thing.”

“How would you know unless you tried it?” Seth asked with a sexy smile.

“I guess, well—” Kaimana raised her eyebrows, the corners of her lips turning upward at his question.

“It doesn’t surprise me Evan would go there. I know he’s been to the one in New York.” Seth tapped the front of the paper. “This one is gold though. Gold is L.A. Silver is New York.”

Seth gave a small laugh as Kaimana’s eyes widened. Though he’d been there, he hadn’t attended in years. Club Altura had been the only club he’d needed.

“But if Evan gave it to you, then—” Seth flipped over the match box cover. The word AMELIA IV had been handwritten on its back side. “AMELIA IV?”

“Looks like Evan’s writing. The E. Signature swirl at the end of the A. I can have someone verify it,” Garrett offered.