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“Your flight information and debrief are in your inbox.” He pushed a file across the table to me. “This is all the information we’ve been able to dig up. Good luck.”
Nodding at the men in the room, I left on wooden legs. How would I survive being so close to Thea again?
I drove back to my apartment in a daze, skipping the gym for once. The file was lying on the passenger seat where I’d flung it, a looming presence I couldn’t ignore.
Once I was sitting on my ratty old couch, the file on my lap and a beer in my hand, I took a deep breath and opened the cover.
The first thing I saw was a photo of Thea and William. They made a great couple. She looked radiant, her whole face glowing with a wide smile. She was looking at him with something akin to worship, his arm around her waist, her body turned in to him. Her hand was resting on his chest, and she looked happy.
They must have been at an official event; he was in a suit, and Thea was wearing a slip of a dress, the light blue color making it appear almost white.
The lace stood out against her tanned skin, her thick mass of hair bouncing in big curls down her back, one side held back with a clip.
My mouth dried up, and I was glad I was by myself because my reaction was pathetic. We’d only ever been friends. But seeing her again after all these years was a kick in the gut. She’d become even more breathtaking. And now I was going to spend a lot of time with her. I just hoped I’d left my childhood crush where it belonged—in the past.
Moving the photo so it was backside up, I flipped through the pages. At first there were only stats on the companies William owned, his business partners, investments, and real estate portfolios, but when I turned the next page, things became more interesting. It appeared William had made a few poor business decisions and lost a lot of money. But he’d recovered most of it in the last few months.
What is he doing that would make him this much money?
The information on Thea was less detailed. They had no kids, and her only friend was my sister.
Thea had never made friends easily. She was overly cautious, questioned everyone’s intentions, and her trust was almost impossible to earn.
Which made her marrying William after only knowing him for a few months even more confusing. I’d never understood what had happened. Hadn’t believed my sister when she’d told me Thea had gotten married.
I noted their address, as it was where I’d be going when I arrived in San Diego. This had to be just another job until I could go back out into the field. As long as I kept a lid on my juvenile crush, things would be fine.
After reading the file twice, I dragged my sore body to bed. The cold sheets were a stark reminder of my lonely lifestyle.
Never taking a break was catching up with me. And despite not wanting to slow down, especially not if it meant being close to Thea again, I grudgingly accepted the fact that I was close to burning out.
Gunner was right to ground me. Didn’t mean I wasn’t sore about it.
Images of Thea swirled through my head before I fell into a fitful sleep, her beautiful smile following me into my dreams, keeping the nightmares at bay.
* * *
“Ladies and gentlemen,please fasten your seat belts and put up your tray tables and blinds. We’re approaching sunny San Diego and will be landing shortly. It is currently 78 degrees, and there’s not a cloud in sight. Enjoy your stay, and thank you for traveling with us.”
I startled awake, having fallen asleep before we’d even taken off. There was something about the hum of the plane engines that always lulled me to sleep. Planes were also relatively safe, the chances of someone attacking slim. I could let my guard down enough to get some rest.
Sitting up, I stared at the sparkling waters and white beaches below. There were boats on the water, and people occupied every square inch of the popular beaches, making this seem more like a holiday destination than a place to live.
Maybe the next few months won’t be so bad after all.
Once we landed and I’d found my suitcase, I checked in with Gunner.
“How was the flight?” he greeted me, muffled noise in the background.
“Good. I’m on my way outside to get my car.”
We never used regular car rentals since our requirements were more difficult than just a car. We needed something bulletproof, fast, and outfitted with a GPS tracker.
But Gunner’s reach went far and wide, and he had contacts in all major cities.
“Call me if there are any issues.”
Spotting my ride outside, I walked with sure strides to the sliding doors. “I’m sure I can manage babysitting duty.”
