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“Okay, fine. I’ll tell you. I invited him to my wedding!” Sky squealed.
Jewel stiffened.
“Isn’t it great?”
“But you barely know him.”
“I know his name.” She counted off on her fingers. “That he risked his life to help you. And that means he’s the type of man who’ll step in when he sees an injustice. Isn’t that enough?”
“Sky…”
“Don’t worry. He’s just coming to the wedding. I won’t force you to talk to him.” Her boss sashayed toward the oven, a sign that the discussion was over.
Jewel wheeled away, nostrils flaring and fingers digging into the rim of the counter. She knew exactly why Sky had invited Finn to her wedding sight unseen, but it wouldn’t work.
Jewel would never open her heart to a man like Finn.
She’d seen the control in his eyes, knew he was one snapped nerve away from recklessness. Men like him didn’t hear the word ‘no’ often. When they did, it was a challenge, not a rejection.
Jewel had seen his kind before, had been branded by that selfishness.
Beautiful but dangerous.
A man like Finn had ruined her.
5
Finn jogged back to his car. Sweat dotted his temples and sucked his shirt to his chest. The heat in Belize was oppressive. He had no idea how Jewel survived wearing sweatshirts. The woman was flirting with heatstroke.
A horn honked in the distance. Finn waited for a pickup truck to pass and skimmed the street. Sweet Treats sat across from a gas station. A few blocks over, a sprawling trade school perched behind thick, concrete gates.
Belize City reminded him of a small town. There were no skyscrapers, everything was within walking distance, and the people were friendly.
Well, most of the people.
Not Jewel.
But that would change.
He hiked around a corner and kept going until he spotted his car parked on the sidewalk. A man stood beside it, suspicious and jittery. He recognized the hoodie and a scowl twisted his lips.
The stranger heard him coming, spun and looked up expectantly. Finn gave the kid a cursory sweep—dark skin, wide eyes, blunt nose, thick lips. He’d screamed ‘derelict’ which was the only reason Finn had given him a shot.
It was a choice he regretted.
Finn dipped his fingers into his jacket pocket and slammed a white envelope against the guy’s chest. “Here.”
“Thanks, man. I really needed this.”
Finn said nothing, just tipped his chin to the side. The kid interpreted the unspoken command and skittered away from his car. Finn pressed the alarm fob. His glossy rental chirped and the door popped open.
“I didn’t catch your name,” the kid said, offering his hand for a shake.
Finn ignored it and climbed in. His fingers settled around the premium leather steering wheel, tightening, clenching. An image of Jewel’s face slamming the sidewalk made him grit his teeth.
Instead of this steering wheel, he should wring that guy’s neck.
Fight it, Finn. This guy isn’t the one you came for.
