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“They have strict visiting hours,” Kiana pointed out.
Reid shook his head. “This woman was brutally attacked. I’m sure I can get them to bend the rules for her bodyguard.”
Kiana stroked Tish’s arm. It felt so cool, and her face was pale. Because they’d intubated her, she was getting the air she needed, and her heart was beating steadily.
“I need to be two people,” Kiana whispered. “One to stay with Tish, the other to look for Meredith.”
“We could stay here and let Reid look for Meredith,” Dev suggested.
Kiana shook her head and met Dev’s gaze. “I need to be the one asking the questions. Some of the people we worked with won’t talk to you if they don’t know you.” She frowned. “As it is, they might not talk to me if I have a man tagging along.”
Dev’s eyes narrowed. “I signed onto the mission to protect you. I can’t do my job if I’m not with you at all times.”
“As much as I value my independence and hate to admit it, I kind of like having you around.” Kiana stared hard at him. “We’ll have to come up with a good cover for you.”
“You can tell people I’m your boyfriend,” Dev offered.
Despite her past experience with Carl, a flutter of butterfly wings beat against Kiana’s insides. “No. Boyfriends come and go. Some can’t be trusted.” Her lips curled up on the corners. “You need to be a colleague I’m mentoring. Someone who could potentially work with the escort service, talent agency, or both.”
Dev blinked. “An escort?”
Kiana cocked an eyebrow. “What? It’s okay for a woman but not a man? Are you afraid you might be molested?”
“No.” Dev held up a hand. “I guess I never considered being an escort or a model. I’m not sure I can pull it off.”
Reid chuckled. “You’ve got the looks and know how to charm women.”
“Reid’s right,” Kiana said. “If I’m showing you the ropes, it would be natural for you to be clueless about the two businesses. Thus, my reason for showing you the ropes.”
Dev shrugged. “I’m game for anything that gets me in the door with you.”
Kiana gave a brief nod. “Then you’re my protégé. I found you on Maui and think you’ll be a good fit for modeling and the escort business. How do you feel about modeling men’s underwear?”
Dev’s eyebrows rose. “Seriously?”
Kiana fought hard to keep from grinning. “Models take whatever jobs they can get, whether it’s for underwear or perfume.”
Reid snorted. “Some of those cologne ads are pretty spicy. You’d be lucky if you got to wear underwear in one of those.”
Dev’s eyebrows dipped low. “It’s not like I’ll get hired that quickly. I’m the new guy trying to break in. And I’m only playing the part until we find Meredith.”
“True.” Kiana’s lips curled. “But I was thinking about your potential interview with the escort agency.”
“You’re joking, right?” Dev frowned.
She cocked an eyebrow. “Am I?”
Reid laughed.
It was all Kiana could do to keep from laughing at the appalled expression on Dev’s face.
Dev squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. “I’ll dance naked, wearing bells on my toes, if it gets me in with you. Whatever it takes.”
Kiana’s breath lodged in her throat at the sudden image she had of Dev dancing naked in front of her. Heat rose up her neck into her cheeks.
Her little attempt at teasing to make Dev uncomfortable had completely backfired.
Chapter 3
