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“California.”
“New York for me. Been here a little more than a week. The beaches are awesome. How long are you staying?”
“Not sure yet.” Was it me or was this elevator intentionally going slow?
He extended his hand and said, “I’m Draven Blaze.”
Blaze? Like Damien Blaze?This might be the break I needed. Shaking his hand I said, “Declan O’Leary. Nice to meet you. So, the beaches are that nice?”
“Some of the best.” The elevator came to a stop, and we got off. “I did some surfing yesterday. Not bad. But if I had my way, I’d be out on a sailboat and go all around the island.”
I’d done that many years ago. He wasn’t wrong. Tabiq might have its issues, but it was beautiful to look at. “I’m a huge fan of sailing.”
Draven cocked a brow. “O’Leary?” I nodded. “O’Leary Schooners?”
“That’s me,” I admitted.
“Damn, you build some sweet boats. I dated a woman whose father had you build one. He races in the World Cup. Didn’t win, but that was because one of the guys on his team got sick. Man, he was bummed because that thing was fast.”
I knew exactly who he was talking about. It was a great icebreaker that I planned on using to my advantage. Make friends, and then pump for information.
“It sure was a disappointment for him. I am just stopping in my room for a bit, then heading down to grab a beer. Want to join me?” I asked.
Draven shrugged. “Why not. I’ve got an hour to kill before my ride picks me up.”
“I must be mistaken, but they informed me we couldn’t leave the resort property. How did you manage to snag a driver?”Because I'm going to need one myself.
“You’re not wrong about the rules, but my ride this evening is from here, or at least she used to be. She came back for her daughter's wedding. That’s why I am here as well. My brother married her daughter.”
Venus? Venus is your driver?Oh, this was fucking perfect. I hadn’t even been in Tabiq for a day and I already knew how to find her.Glad I held that door.
“Is she staying at the resort as well?”Please say yes.
“Her daughter wanted her to for her safety, but she insisted on going back to a cottage in the countryside. She said she wanted to be alone. Who would want that when you can have all this?”
“I guess she does.” It was good to hear that she wasn’t being forced to do anything she didn’t want to. That should be enough for me to board a plane and head home. I had what I said I needed. So why was I not happy with that?Because hearing it is not enough. I need to see her. Then I’ll leave.
“Well, it is not ideal when you’re trying to keep an eye on someone,” he replied.
“You’re watching her?” He shrugged. “Why?” I asked.
“Because my brother is worried about her. Guess someone is looking for her and she doesn’t want to be found. It’s not going to be pleasant when they find the guy. Damien is as protective of Venus as her daughter MaKayla is.No oneis going to hurt her.”
And here was also another fact that I needed. She wasn’t in harm's way. She was loved and protected. It was more than I could’ve hoped for. And yet, here I was still not planning my departure. It no longer was just about making sure she was safe. Now it was for me to see her one last time. After I laid eyes on her, I could go and put this all behind me. I’d be able to move on knowing that she was happy.
“Sounds like she is in good hands. So how about that beer?” I reminded him.
“I’ll meet you in the bar in ten minutes. I just need to make a call first,” he said before heading down the hallway to his room.
That gave me time to do the same. I’d promised Jones an update. Once inside my room, I called his cell phone.
“Jones here,” he answered, yawning.
“Fuck. Sorry. Forgot the time zone difference.”
“No problem. You make it to Tabiq okay?” he asked.
“I did. And I happened to bump into Damien Blaze’s brother, Draven. He’s here keeping an eye on Venus to ensure her safety. Guess they all think I’m a threat.”
