Page 44 of Island Whispers

“No, it’s not,” Jess agreed. “Roxy’s asking for answers too. She’s concerned that Nina looks tired.” She drummed her fingers on the glass of sweet tea in her hand. “But this guy is just in the wind.”

“Spratt’s close. The vandalism was a message,” Boone reminded her. “He’s up to something.”

Jess huffed. “Coming after Nina solves nothing. I don’t get this guy at all. He should move on.”

“Agreed. But if you thought it was over, you would’ve reassigned me by now.” He couldn’t shake what the research team had said about Spratt and his determination to make an example of those who crossed him. Boone wouldn’t let her become another statistic on Spratt’s rap sheet.

“I am trying,” Jess said, sounding sour. “We’ve got eyes everywhere.”

He hoped that didn’t mean he and Nina would get caught at a drugstore in Charleston. Either way, he wouldn’t mention it to Nina. No need to worry her. He could count on discretion from the Guardian Agency.

“Sorry,” Boone said. “It’s not you, it’s me.” In more ways than one. “I like her. These are good people and I don’t like seeing her so unhappy.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Apparently I interfere with her design process.”

Thankfully, Jess laughed and the weird undercurrent dissipated. He didn’t want to make her too curious about what was brewing between Nina and him. Primarily because there might not be anything brewing at all.

All through the meal and conversation, his mind drifted back to last night and how perfect she’d felt in his arms. Given a choice, he’d stay right here and make it work between them. He just couldn’t be sure Nina would give him a chance despite the undeniable chemistry.

Well, he’d never been one to sit back and let life happen. This would be the worst time to change his general outlook. She mattered. More and more each day. Other than his sister, Boone couldn’t recall ever having a relationship connection as strong as this one.

“Did you get enough to eat, Boone?”

He patted his stomach, carefully avoiding eye contact with Nina. “Plenty, thanks, Mrs. Billings.” More than plenty, considering the extra food Nina had shoved onto his plate to hide her poor appetite. Standing, he started gathering dishes. “I’ll help clear.”

“You’ll do no such thing.”

Before Boone could insist on helping clean up this time, Nash shoved to his feet.

“Sit, Mom. Boone and I can do the heavy lifting this week.”

“He’s a guest,” she protested.

“Hardly,” Nash countered, bending to kiss her cheek. “This is his second Sunday dinner. He’s practically family at this point.”

Boone wondered what Nina thought of that, but he didn’t look back for fear of starting those rumors she was worried about. Any further protests were soothed away by Mr. Billings as Nash and Boone headed for the kitchen. They were scraping plates and loading the dishwasher, but Boone sensed an interrogation coming.

“Everything okay with Nina?”

Boone had to tread carefully. Nash was still worried about his sister’s safety. “Yeah. As I told Jess, she’s tired of me traipsing around after her, but she knows it’s necessary.”

“Uh-huh.” Nash tucked a few more plates into the rack. When he looked up again, his gaze was intense. “So kissing her is part of the service?”

Boone was grateful the rest of the family was outside. “What the hell, man?”

“Don’t bother denying it,” Nash snarled. “A friend of mine saw you two on the beach last night.”

Crap. That was the last thing Nina wanted. “Nash, you—”

“Listen, up.” He drilled a finger into Boone’s chest. “I don’t care about your bodyguard skills. You hurt her and you’ll need protection.”

He would’ve protested or explained, but Nina stepped inside. “I knew I smelled an excess of testosterone.” She hopped up onto the countertop, putting her at eye level with her brother. “Stop harassing my bodyguard.”

“You need—”

“To get going,” Boone interrupted whatever Nash planned to say. He’d taken one look and recognized Nina wanted to leave. Immediately. He could make that happen. They could talk about the potential rumor hazards on the drive. “We have errands to run. I’ll go say goodbye.”

“Coward,” Nash murmured as Boone walked outside. He’d let Nina handle her brother. In his experience—as both a brother and an outsider—it was best not to get caught in the middle of a sibling argument.

“We need to get going. Thanks for dinner, Mrs. Billings.”

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