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Chapter 9
Connor was growing tired of waiting. Bennett asked him to come to Tabiq. Then he had the nerve to blow him off and did not even show at the airport like he was supposed to. Connor was still waiting to her what Bennett’s excuse was. If it was a test that he could fend for himself in a foreign country, he passed. He was a grown ass man, and no issue with finding his way to where he needed to be. Really, who could miss it? The resort was the only tourist place there was on the island, at least from what he had seen.
He wanted to get going. Waiting around wasn’t something Connor was good at. It just gave him more time to think about things that he didn’t want to. Top of the list was why he hadn’t heard from Krista. Granted, she had plenty on her plate, and going to New York on her own surely didn’t help any. But that was her decision. He’d offered. She refused. What was he supposed to do, cuff her to him and not release her until he knew she was okay?
Of course she’s okay. Why wouldn’t she be?
Maybe he wouldn’t be so worried if they had parted on a different note. They were supposed to have another night together, and he planned on doing some talking. Not that they hadn’t the other days, but that was about their past, but nothing about the present, and definitely not about the future. It had been as though neither knew how to start the conversation. Actually he didn’t even know where it would’ve gone if they had it.
Connor wasn’t a live in the moment type of guy. He couldn’t be. Even his job required him to plan for what could come next. But never before had he ever included another person in that equation. Not in the way he was thinking of Krista.
Their relationship was so new, and they still had a lot to learn about each other, but the one thing Connor had been sure about was he didn’t want it to end. Yet that’s exactly how it felt right now. As though that had been a goodbye, not a see you later. It had his stomach twisted in knots, and for the first time in a very long time, unsure as to what to do.
She might not have called him, but he hadn’t reached out either. What was he going to say? ‘I miss you but I’m on the other side of the world and have no idea when I’ll be back.’ Connor would’ve kicked Ethan’s ass if he ever had treated Kollette like that.
Fuck, I’d have beaten his ass for sleeping with her and leaving.
No matter how he cut it, Connor fucked up. Krista had just received devastating news and he walked out the door. Yes she told him to go, but he’d ignored her orders before. That was his chance to tell her what she meant to him. And what did he do? He told her she could call him any time.
I’m an asshole. She deserves so much better.
Sending her flowers or chocolates at this point probably would feel like a slap in the face. Neither was going to represent the true regret that he was carrying. It felt like a knife jabbing in his ribs. He actually welcomed the feeling, because he should be hurting, and not her.
There was a knock on the door and a tiny woman with red hair popped her head inside. “Hello, I’m Allyson Pintino. I’m the HR manager here. Well, sort of. I handle the hiring and such, but my husband Cayden and his brothers, have the final decisions here at New Hope Resort. I wanted to let you know they are almost ready to meet with you. Something came up that needed their attention.”
If they thought sending Allyson would ease his mind, they were wrong. “Who are they? I thought this meeting was with Bennett Stone.”
“Sorry, he headed back home early this morning.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to come inside and fill me in?” he asked.
Allyson smiled. “I’d love to, but really, I was on my way to do an interview. But someone will be along shortly to retrieve you. Oh, welcome to New Hope.”
She was gone before he could even say thank you. He didn’t know much about this place, but now he knew he wasn’t the only American here that wasn’t related to the Hendersons.
Cayden Pintino.That name didn’t sound familiar either. The problem with Tabiq was there were no records to be found to explain the inner works. All he knew was what the website listed. Even Mikie couldn’t come up with much more than that. This place was a total mystery. And now, even more so.
If Bennett knew he was leaving today, why did Connor still need to come? He’d made it clear that he didn’t need Connor’s assistance, yet, here Connor was in Tabiq. And Bennett wasn’t.
Another knock on the door, but this time, it was a face he knew. “Hi Connor. It’s been a while. How have you been?”
Connor got up and shook his hand. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here, Roger. Are you working for the Hendersons as well?”
Roger Patrick said, “No. I’m actually here on vacation.”
Connor raised a brow. “Here? Why?” Not that is was any of his business, but he asked anyway.
“To spend some quality time with my wife, Gia.”
“I didn’t even know you were married. Must have happened after you left the DEA.”
“Yes it did. Actually, I met her through the Hendersons.”
And there was the connection he’d been waiting for. “Well congratulations. But if you’re here on vacation, how is it you knew I was here?” And where to find me.
Roger scratched his head, “That’s the problem. You’re on the beach one minute, then Cayden calls you and interrupts your good time.”
“Cayden Pintino?” Connor asked.
