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“Do you have a lunch cooler handy?”
“Always.” She started toward the cabinet where they were stored.
“Great, thanks,” he said, following her. “I’ll take the items out in that. We can put this bag back where you found it.”
She spun around, the cooler clutched to her chest. “No. My kitchen is not becoming square one of whatever sting operation you have in mind.”
He smiled, huffed out the softest of laughs. “As of tomorrow morning it won’t be your kitchen.” He lowered his voice. “We stopped in Miami. Our next destination isn’t a secret. The report came across my desk because the items were stolen from vessels in and around the marina where we docked. If the thief isn’t on board, it’s possible they plan to recover the goods in Charleston. The thief may try to board once we dock.”
He was staring into the plastic bag now, as if sizing up each individual velvet sack.
“Yes.” She sighed.
His gaze snapped to her face. “Yes, what?”
“Yes, you can use the potatoes as decoys. I’ll get them.”
She scooted by him and he returned to the office. She met him there with the potatoes. Though it would’ve gone faster if she’d helped, she watched him pull the gloves on once more and trade potatoes for precious items. Finished, he seemed satisfied.
“Is that it for me, then?” she asked. “Not that it isn’t fun aiding and abetting the good guys.” Please let that be all. She still wasn’t sure he believed her.
“That’s all. Thanks for your help.”
“Of course.”
He frowned and she barely smothered her frustration. “I’ll be back down in a few minutes with an AirTag. If someone does come back for the stash, we should be able to track it.”
She forced a smile. At least that would clear up any doubts about her involvement. “Whatever you need to do, be my guest.”
When he was gone, she sank into her chair, relieved and frustrated. That was not how she’d envisioned Travis noticingher. Oh, well. He’d stay a fantasy and she’d eventually meet someone wonderful back home.
For now, she had work to do. Work that would be way more challenging with his distracting masculine scent lingering in the tiny office.
Chapter 3
Once they were docked in Charleston the next morning, Travis was immediately in the weeds dealing with schedules, walk-throughs, and introductions. As he’d hoped, Brett fit in immediately and would take the lead in town. Juliet was a friend as well as a client, and he knew the city inside and out.
Momentarily relieved of his primary responsibility, Travis shifted his focus to the stolen goods as promised. There was a pressure, the good kind, to live up to the Guardian Agency reputation for security and investigative work. Overnight, he’d made a few calls, met with the captain, and confirmed his appointment with the insurance representatives. Apparently, the company planned to log the recovered pieces and return them to their rightful owners as soon as the police were done collecting evidence.
And he’d stalled as long as possible, waiting for that decoy bag to move.
By noon, he had little to show for his efforts. Everyone and everything on the yacht seemed to be in motion. Except the bag with the tracker. It remained in the potato bin.
Travis couldn’t help wondering if that was a sign that Lilawasinvolved. Instead of resisting the idea, he let it play out. If she was in on the heist and he caught her sorting the loot, that meant she’d left without her get-rich-quick money. She wouldn’t have taken the decoy bag and incriminated herself further.
Sadly, the scenario was plausible.
He swore. What if the family bakery story was a ruse, or worse, the business was failing and shedidhave a motive to steal items she could fence for fast cash?
Was he so easily fooled by a pretty face?
When it was Lila? Yeah. Though he didn’t like admitting it. Her soft green eyes, lush mouth, and ivory complexion sprinkled with freckles over her nose and cheeks had knocked him breathless the first time they’d met. And her lovely features were framed by that curling red hair that gleamed gold in the sunlight. Simply put, she was beautiful.
That was quite the endorsement for a man who’d protected his share of celebrities. His current, primary client was considered one of the most beautiful women in the world. And yet, when she was out with Lila, he would spend the entire shift fighting the distraction of the chef.
But if she was connected to the thefts, why be so cooperative? Was she just a skilled liar? He would’ve sworn she was telling him the truth—including exactly where to find her. For a second yesterday, closeted with her in that miniscule office, he’d thought she was inviting him to come see her at the bakery.
Clearly wishful thinking on his part since she’d left this morning without a word.
