Free Danger in Paradise by Katie Reus

placed them in a safe house. But these weren’t normal circumstances, and he couldn’t risk a leak or trust anyone but himself.
    He’d been working for Richard Taylor for two years. This job had cost him his marriage, his life. One way or another, he was bringing that bastard down.
    “Call me when you have the location of the meet,” Bishop said.
    “Done.” He disconnected.
    “What did the boss man say?” Sanders asked as they neared the waiting zodiac.
    “Just to call him when we have more details about the big meeting.” The salty water drenched them as they waded in.
    His partner nodded, and they both pushed the small boat into the waves before jumping in. “Why do you think Richard wanted her dead? She didn’t even know him.”
    “Don’t know.” He had a few guesses, but Taylor hadn’t seen fit to tell him why the girl needed to die. Just that she did. Considering he’d sent that weasel son of his with them, he could make an educated assumption.
    Now that he’d proved himself, John had no doubt he and Sanders would be included in Richard’s more intimate dealings. Until recently he’d been nothing more than hired muscle. Things would drastically change after tonight. Or at least he hoped they would. If not, he’d wasted two years.
    “Do you really trust them to stay out of sight for three days?”
    He nodded. “Luke Romanov isn’t an idiot.” He’d reviewed the other man’s file and was satisfied he’d be astute enough to listen. Luke had former military experience, and he ran a million-dollar security company. By now, he’d probably guessed they worked for the government.
    “You think Richard will include us in the deal now?” Sanders’ voice was barely audible over the engine and ocean waves.
    He nodded and said a silent prayer he was right. “He’d better or we’ve wasted two years.”
    Once they made it back to the yacht, Patrick was passed out. No surprise there. Instead of waking him, John called Patrick’s father, who’d demanded proof. John had counted on that, so he sent Richard Taylor a picture of two bodies charred beyond recognition to an encrypted phone.
    Now if he could just wrap up this undercover job, he could go back to his life.
    What was left of it.
    * * * * *
     
    Hope opened her eyes and groaned. Light filtered in through a sliding glass door, bathing her in warmth. She sat up and immediately clutched the back of her head. After a few moments, the pain abated, so she pushed the unfamiliar palm tree covered comforter off and ventured out of bed. She shivered when her feet hit the cool tile floor. After a quick glance around, she guessed she was in a villa or a cottage. No personal items lay on the shelves or dresser and the room had a hotel feel to it.
    She padded across the floor toward the glass door and drew back the sheer white curtain. In cargo shorts and a plain brown T-shirt, Luke stood with his back to her, facing the aquamarine water and talking on his cell phone. Without announcing her presence, she walked outside, savoring the feel of the sun-warmed grass underneath her feet.
    “I’ll call you when I know more,” he growled before flipping his phone shut.
    “Uh, hi.” She held up a hand, trying to block the sun and get his attention.
    He swiveled and his expression softened instantly. “Hey, how are you feeling?” Before she could answer, he continued. “Here, sit.” With a gentleness she hadn’t expected, he led her to one of the lounge chairs.
    “Where are we?”
    “A friend is letting us stay here. We’re on the northern coast of Jamaica. Right on Discovery Bay.” He motioned behind him to the still waters of the bay, his eyes never leaving hers.
    She wasn’t sure what it was, but something had changed in him. And that’s when it hit her. She was wearing a pair of light blue cotton pajama pants and a matching tank top. Both of which, she hadn’t put on herself. She could feel the heat slowly creep up her neck and cheeks. “Did you