Free Skylar (The Love Family Series Book 1) by Kate Allenton

Amanda, and she had it out for you, why did he kill her?”
    “We don’t know he was working for her, but maybe she promised him money and didn’t pay him when we both survived. Money is a reason to kill,” Declan was quick to say.  “But we’ll know soon enough after we find him. This island isn’t big enough for him to just disappear. I’ll contact all of the hotels and pass his picture around and start looking through each of their lobby security feeds. Maybe we can trace his steps”
    “That’s assuming he’s still here,” Luke added.
    “Only one way to find out. We’ll know more once you review the ferry footage, but in the meantime, I’m going to put out an APB on this bastard and start searching for him. He doesn’t know this island. There are only so many places he can be staying.”

 
     
     
    Chapter 7

     
     
    After getting settled in the cabin and eating a light lunch, Skylar popped in the first surveillance security disk from the ferry. She relaxed on the couch and propped her feet on Luke’s lap as they watched the tourists coming and going from the boat, both searching the crowds for the killer. His fingers dug into her soles, releasing the tension she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying.
    “You know, I can think of several other things we could be doing.”
    His hand slowly crept up her thigh and she swatted at him. “Work first, play time later.”
    “You’re right.” He lifted her feet and slid off the couch to sit on the floor. “There’s plenty of time for that later.”
    Plenty of time? “Luke, when are you scheduled to go back?”
    Luke shrugged. “When I’m ready. I mean I have to go back and get some things handled, but…” He paused the DVD and turned to look at her. “I’m buying a building here on the island and opening one of my labs. It’ll be my home base.”
    Words escaped her. “Come again?”
    He laid his hand on her leg. “I’m moving home, Sky. This is where I belong.”
    She sat up on the couch, and butterflies danced in her stomach. “I don’t understand. I thought you liked New York and big-city living. Why would you do that? Please don’t say that you’re doing it to be near me.”
    Luke rose. “What if I was? What would be so terribly wrong with that idea? After last night, I thought it was settled, that we’d see where this relationship took us. I’m an all-in kind of guy, Sky.”
    “Luke, you have a life outside of the island. What if we don’t work out? Are you going to uproot your employees again and leave?”
    He sat on the couch beside her. “You’re breaking us up before we even get off the ground, Sky. Don’t you think you’re jumping the gun?”
    “Me!” She scooted him out of the way and moved to the middle of the living room. “I’m not the one jumping the gun and buying a freakin’ building.”
    He shrugged. “The building is a sound investment for my research, and I’ll be closer to my parents and my best friend, not to mention you.”
    She crossed her arms over her chest. “Who else knows about this? Does Declan know?”
    “Of course he does. I had to ask him about the Dagger Building and what they were involved in. Other than him, only my assistant, Justin, knows.”
    She turned and let out a sigh. “All of your employees…”
    “Those people will be just fine.” He rose and moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “I’m keeping the other building, and they’ll have a choice before I bring in help from outside the company. No one is going to lose their job.” He pressed a kiss to her neck. “And as for us, sure I want us to work out, and I’m thinking one day we could have a future, but I’m willing to wait until we’re on the same page. I’m not proposing, Skylar. I’m making a move back to the town where I grew up.” He turned her in his arms. “You’re a bonus.”
    Skylar chewed her bottom lip. Her heart thumped against her ribs as she replayed his words. He was moving here.