Page 53 of Island Refuge


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Brett’s mouth twitched. “Brave. Sure. Love takes some thought adjustment, I suppose.”

Love?Travis was speechless. Was he in love? He’d certainly been surrounded with romance lately, protecting the newlyweds and pretending with Lila.

That may have been where the idea had sprouted, but pretending didn’t fit anything he felt for her now. Was that due to adrenaline or the real deal? How could he know? And when the hell would he have a minute to figure it out?

“I think you’ve broken him.” Logan barked out a laugh, sobering quickly when he spotted Lila returning. “Feel better?” he asked before Travis could.

“Yes.” She turned to Brett. “Tell your wife thanks so much. She thought of everything.” Lila had gathered up her damp hair into a ponytail, barely taming those wild red curls. She wore dark leggings and ballet flats and a pale green sweater that hugged her curves. “I feel human again.”

Brett smiled. “I’ll let her know.”

Travis reached out and took the bag with the wet things from her hands. Seeing her safe and feeling better, made him impatient to talk to her about everything else, but they had to take it one step at a time. “Let’s get this over with.”

As much as he’d hoped for a quick and easy update followed by closure of this entire situation, the insurance investigator had dozens of questions, many of which Travis deferred to Detective Bradley.

At last, they were clear to leave. In the elevator, Lila’s stomach rumbled loudly. “Anyone else hungry?” she asked.

Logan suggested a couple of places that would still be open at this late hour. When he mentioned a place on King Street that specialized in enormous burritos, she jumped on the idea. “Have you been there, Travis?”

He shook his head. “Sounds like I will be in a few minutes.” He slid his arm around her as they walked out of the building. “Do we walk?”

“I can drive,” Brett offered. “My car’s right there.” He lifted his chin toward a glossy luxury SUV. “My wife and Logan’s dropped it for us.”

“We are damned lucky.” Logan grinned.

“True enough.” Brett turned to Travis. “Jess sent me a text to drop you two at the Ellington. She booked a room for y’all tonight.”

“Seriously?” Lila stared up at Travis.

She tempted him beyond reason. “You haven’t noticed how the Guardian Agency takes care of its people?” he teased.

“Well.” She pressed her lips together. “I’ve noticed how you take care of your clients…” Her voice trailed off.

He guessed by the blush in her cheeks that she was thinking of other ways they’d taken care of each other in recent days. He wouldn’t mind the privacy of a hotel room for the night. No distractions or interruptions. Just the two of them and time to recover from this mess. Time to discuss what might be next.

“So is it the restaurant or the hotel?” Brett asked. “You can always get those burritos delivered.”

“I like that idea,” Lila admitted. “I’m kind of peopled out.”

“Delivery gets my vote,” Travis agreed. He opened the back door for her and slid in beside her, with Logan sitting up front with Brett.

Though they were in separate seats, she reached out and rested a hand on his thigh. He covered it with his own.

“I can’t believe how perfectly everything fits, Brett. Tell your wife she’s remarkable,” Lila said. “You need to let me know how to get it all back to her.”

“The clothes are yours,” Brett said. Stopped at a traffic light, he glanced over his shoulder. “Seriously. She has some mysteriousfemale magic that she can look at a photo and know the correct sizes. Enjoy in good health.”

“Okay.” She aimed a helpless glance at Travis.

He just smiled, anticipating her next question.

“Your wife is?” she queried.

Brett’s smile was full of pride and love. “Nikki Weston.”

“Seriously? N-Nikki Weston,” Lila stammered. She smacked Travis. “You knew?”

He nodded, smothering a laugh. “I’m surprised you didn’t.” Then again, the last time Nikki and Brett had hung out with Juliet Mason had been a few weeks before Lila had joined the crew on the yacht.

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