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“Thanks for this,” she said. “You’ve just made my day a whole lot better.”
“See you on the beach.” I stepped out into the hall and shut the door behind me. I took a breath, guilt already building in my gut. The promise I’d just made itched under my skin. I couldn’t keep it, but not making it would have alerted Emmy. And then there would have been questions.
Shit, it wasn’t my place to say anything. Summer was a part of this too, and she wouldn’t want to lose Emmy as a friend over me.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I lifted it out and opened my texts.
“Meet me on the beach in fifteen minutes and give me the files or else.”
I stared at the message.
What the fuck?
The files? That could only be the data for the new prototype app we were working on. An advanced version of the FindMe app with more security measures and a heightened sense of privacy.
My fears that Cruz was somewhere on the island were confirmed.
“Don’t play with me, Baker. I’ll hit you where it hurts.”
I forwarded the texts to Paul’s cellphone, my throat tightening, my fists closing as well. I was seconds from crushing my phone into dust. This was a typical Cruz move, but how? How was he here when he was still, apparently, in Florida?
I could head down to the beach and catch him, but there was no guarantee it wasn’t a trap. In which case, I’d be walking right into it.
My phone rang in my hand, and I set off walking for the elevators at the end of the hall.
“This is Baker.”
“It’s Paul.”
“What do you think of the texts?” I asked.
“You just received them?”
“Correct.”
A silence filled with a frustrated huff of breath. “Don’t go down there. Whatever this is, it doesn’t feel right, Matt. I mean, I’m telling you, Cruz is still in Florida. He’s not out there, and if he’s not sending these messages…”
“That means someone else is.”
“That’s my guess,” Paul said. “And you don’t know how many.”
“What’s your advice?”
“Keep your eyes peeled, but don’t do anything stupid. Shit, I’ll get ahold of the local police today and have them come down there.”
“No,” I said. “That will upset Emilia. This is her time, her wedding.”
“What about her safety?”
“If there’s a way I can do this without alarming her, I will.” I paused and hit the silver button to summon the elevator. “Personal security,” I said. “You have any contacts in the field here?”
“Probably. I’ll have to check.”
“Send me the details if you’ve got ’em. I’ll get in contact and have them interspersed at the wedding.”
“When is it?”
“In a few days,” I said. “Plenty of time to get set up.” Since this was the first time Cruz had transmitted a to message me, it reasoned that he wouldn’t escalate too much until he’d taunted and tried to squeeze what he wanted out of me. That gave me a couple days, at least.
“All right, I’m on it.”
“Thanks again, Paul.”
“Hey, we’re square after this.” He gave a rough laugh. “Seriously, though, man, you can call me any time you need something.”
“I appreciate that.” I hung up and stepped into the elevator then hit the button for the first floor. Things had just gotten a whole lot more complicated.
Chapter Nineteen
Summer
I’d finally shed my crutch. Miracles did happen. My ankle was still tender, and I wouldn’t be dancing at the party, but I was OK to walk and to behave like a friggin’ human being again. It felt so damn good.
The sand was warm between my toes, and my dress—a shade of rose pink that Emilia loved—swished around my thighs, just above the knees. It was cinched neatly at the waist, and my breasts were lifted and on display.
These were the official dresses for the bridesmaids at tonight’s party, and I wasn’t mad at them.
Wait until he sees you in this.
Oh lord, there I went again. I couldn’t quit thinking about Matthew and what he’d look like today. How he’d react to me. What it would be like to go back to his room after the party, when everyone else was distracted, and have more fun. The type that left me pleasantly sore and wanting more.
You’re in too deep.
No, I wasn’t. I was fine.
I strode under the cabanas and out of the sun, admiring the gorgeous view of the aquamarine waves washing against the beach. A few of the others had arrived, but the party wasn’t due to start for another fifteen minutes.
It seemed Emmy and Scott had decided to make a suitably late and fashionable entrance.
I stopped by the bar and picked up a glass of pink lemonade spiked with a dash of rum. I sipped and appreciated the flavor. Things might not be perfect right now, but this sure beat stressing about my future back in my tiny apartment in Miami.
