Page 75 of Still See You Everywhere

Apparently, MacManus isn’t one to dally. He gestures impatiently toward the waiting UTV. Vaughn shakes his head, clearly unhappy with what he’s seeing. But he leads the way, with security goon one, MacManus, Lea, and security goon two all in tow.

We all continue to gawk as the group of five arrives at a vehicle that only holds four. Low muttering. General maneuvering, followed by more muttering. Finally, Vaughn takes the wheel with blond bodyguard beside him, MacManus and Lea in the back. The second bodyguard prepares to hoof it after them.

The UTV lurches forward, and just like that, our group bursts to life in an explosion of chatter and general what the fuck? No doubt about it, the swear jar is going to be full tonight. Trudy and Ann scamper ahead to welcome Brent and Marilee while no doubt pumping them for the inside scoop. Everyone else heads for the cargo hatch to start the unloading process.

I go with my first instinct and chase after the lone bodyguard with the impressively groomed goatee.

“Let me show you the way,” I declare brightly, falling in step beside him.

He skewers me with his deep, dark eyes. Why are the best eyelashes always wasted on men?

I hold out my hand. “Frankie Elkin. I’m in charge of housekeeping, laundry, and food prep. In practical terms, I know where all the good snacks are hidden.”

“Elias Jackson,” he allows.

“I set up the project manager’s cabin for you and your buddy to use.”

“Jason Tamworth,” he supplies. “Location?”

It takes me a moment to realize he’s referring to Vaughn’s cabin, where they’ll be staying. “Umm, at the edge of base camp. Set out on a knoll. Absolutely stunning view,” I assure him. “Second only to MacManus’s private lodge.”

“Which is?”

“At the other end of things? Maybe fifteen minutes away.”

“No.”

“No?”

“We will require closer accommodations. A neighboring hut.”

“There isn’t any neighboring hut. Well, the cabin used by MacManus’s chef and personal assistant is near there.”

“We’ll take it.”

I blink, realizing belatedly that even knowing some sort of private security team was arriving, Vaughn hadn’t completely understood that a private security team was arriving. As in they’d want to have eyes on their charge at all times. And MacManus probably expected that as well.

“I will make it happen.” I offer another bright smile, determined to break the ice.

Elias doesn’t so much as glance my way. His determined strides are much longer than mine, leaving me to scamper beside him like a toy poodle. Somehow, I doubt that bothers him.

We reach the intersection with the latrine and the bathhouse. I point out both, then spy the UTV now parked at the rear of the mess hall and lead us in that direction. After walking so fast in the heat and humidity, I welcome the relief of the fan-cooled kitchen.

Vaughn and company are in the dining room, MacManus and Lea seated with glasses of water before them, Vaughn and the first bodyguard—Jason—standing next to the table. Jason looks up sharply at our approach.

Seeing Elias, he moves from the center of the space to take up position next to the side door. Jason smoothly inserts himself in the cutout between the kitchen and dining area, guarding the rear. No doubt about it, these two are hard-core. Well trained and, most likely, extremely expensive.

What the fuck, indeed.

I busy myself filling two more glasses of water and offering them to the security professionals in order to justify my presence in the room. Both refuse. I barely notice, already eavesdropping away.

“Don’t you think this is a bit much?” Vaughn is asking.

“Not your problem.”

“The hell it isn’t. Half of my job is camp dynamics. These two”—he skewers the stony-faced guards—“don’t exactly blend in.”

“And yet, here they are. Get over it.”

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