Free The Tycoon Meets His Match by Barbara Benedict Page B

whipped out his BlackBerry with a grim expression. “I’m calling the police.”
    Conscious of the two thugs watching every movement in the yard, Trae put a hand on his arm. “Don’t. Let’s just get out of here.”
    Busy punching buttons, he looked at her, incredulous. “Now, you’re suddenly in a hurry to leave?”
    Glancing over her shoulder, Trae saw Josh headed back their way. Once he arrived with the information, they could go. Had to go, before Rhys said or did something to make a scene.
    “This is useless,” Rhys said angrily, tossing the cell phone into the bag. “The water must have shorted the circuits. I’m going inside to find a phone that doesn’t leak.”
    “No,” she said when he turned to go. “Let’s just find a pay phone on the way.”
    He eyed her as if she’d just suggested standing on their heads. “Forget it. I’m not going anywhere without my wallet. I’ve got five major credit cards inside it. Not to mention my identification.”
    “You can replace credit cards. Your license, too.”
    He tilted his head to study her. “What’s going on, Trae? Why this sudden urgency to leave?”
    Uneasily, she looked back at the bodyguards, glaring like a pair of pit bulls from the rear corner of the yard. “I know about Josh’s father from my old neighborhood. Let’s just say he doesn’t act like the polite folks you hang with in Connecticut.”
    “If you’re trying to protect that kid so he doesn’t get punished…”
    “No, it’s you I’m worried about. Trust me, you don’t want to make a fuss here. Unless you want to replace your fancy wing tips with cement shoes.”
    “You can’t be referring to the mob?” At her nod, he looked incredulous. “You’re serious, aren’t you? Jeez, Trae, we’re all adults here. Well, most of us,” he added, looking behind them at the girls still giggling in the pool. “I’m sure if I talk to this guy like a civilized…”
    “No.” Trae shuddered at the thought of Rhys pontificating at Lou, or worse, at Rico and Johnny. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with. Unless I miss my guess, those two are packing.”
    He glanced over at Josh’s bodyguards, his expression going taut.
    “Besides,” she went on, “if you bring the police here, Lou Carino won’t be the only one facing public scrutiny. After the debacle at the church, do you really want to leave yourself open to more adverse publicity?”
    “Lucie’s more important than…”
    “Yes, she is. So think about this. While you’re busy pursuing justice, she’s out there somewhere with Bobby. And given the mob connection, lord knows who else.”
    His jaw tightened. “Fine, you made your point. We’ll go, but we stop at the first pay phone we come across.”
    Just then, Josh strolled up to join them. “Got it,” he said to Trae, holding up a piece of paper. “Figured I’d forget what they said, so I wrote it all down for you.”
    Taking the paper from his hand, Trae stuffed it into her pocket. “Josh, you’re an absolute prince.”
    He beamed, looking really pleased with himself. “So, this mean we can go now and have some fun?”
    Trae shook her head. She wished she’d made this clear to him earlier. “I’ve got to go find Lucie, remember?”
    “But you promised.” Frowning, Josh reached for her arm.
    Rhys stepped between them, glaring down at the boy with a menacing expression. “You heard the lady. We have to leave now. If we didn’t, you and I would be sitting down and having a serious conversation about what might have happened to my wallet.”
    “I don’t know what…”
    “Funny thing, Josh, how it came up missing somewhere between when you pushed me in the pool and I changed in your room.”
    Eyeing Rico and Johnny, poised and ready to pounce, Trae sucked in a breath. Wasn’t Rhys paying attention?
    Josh looked equally incredulous. “You saying I stole your wallet?”
    “He isn’t accusing you of anything, Josh,” Trae intervened. “He’s