Page 49 of Island Whispers

He kept his back to the bar, hiding her actions. It was hard to hear the operator’s voice over the band and the ambient noise of the bar. The last notes of the song faded and Nina wasn’t quite done. He pulled her even closer and kept swaying, his body blocking hers.

Her eyes kept darting over his shoulder as she gave a description, then she scowled. “He’s gone. Must be out back,” she reported.

“We’re leaving,” Boone decided, guiding her toward the front door.

“The check!” she exclaimed.

“I’ll call back and pay it.”

“Boone.” Her voice was sharp and distracted. Not at all the way he liked to hear her say his name. “Aren’t we safer inside than out? Jess said Spratt doesn’t want to draw more attention.”

Only punish Nina’s bravery. He kept the dark thought in his head. Nina made a good point. “You’re right,” he conceded. He nudged her back into the booth, scooting in beside her and doing his best to block her from view. But where did that leave them? They couldn’t stay in the bar indefinitely.

Spratt was out there, biding his time. He’d tracked her down and was ready to make an example of Nina: snitch and die.

If Spratt wasn’t a hardened criminal, that determination might be an admirable trait.

“It doesn’t make sense,” Nina murmured. Her hands trembled as she reached for her glass of water. “Revenge on me doesn’t do anything.”

“Bolsters his reputation,” Boone said.

“If I could go back, I wouldn’t have gotten involved.”

Boone was staring at his phone, debating his options. Would the police find Spratt? If there was any luck left in the world, they would. Boone wasn’t about to leave Nina’s life to luck. “Watch the crowd,” he said to Nina. “I’m calling Jess.”

She nodded, her gaze scanning the room behind him.

He kept his eyes on the bar, particularly the hallway where Nina had spotted Spratt.

“Boone?” Jess answered. “What’s wrong?”

“Nina is safe,” he began. “Spratt found us in Charleston.” He filled in the rest of the details with what remained of his professional detachment. “I need backup to get to the car and back to the island.”

“I’m on my way,” she said. “Send me the address.” In the background Boone heard what he assumed was Nash’s deeper voice followed by Jess’s put-upon sigh. “Nash is with me.”

Boone might’ve found that amusing at one time. His gaze slid to Nina and he understood. Nash wouldn’t sit back while his sister and his fiancée faced an uncertain risk.

“You don’t have someone here in the city?”

“Of course I do, but this is Nina.”

Boone couldn’t agree more. “The more the merrier. We’ll see you soon.”

Ending the call, he set the phone on the table. Nina’s gaze locked with his. “She’s bringing Nash?”

He dipped his chin. “Your brother didn’t give her a choice.” He drained what remained of his Coke from the glass and swirled the ice around. “We’re to sit tight.”

“Great.”

“Hey, at least the music is good.” Right on cue, the band ended their song and announced a brief intermission. Boone rubbed his forehead.

“Let me out,” Nina said. “I need the restroom.”

He stood up, making room. “I’ll walk you back.”

She rolled her eyes. “No need.” She pointed to the hallway. “There’s enough of a crowd to repel Spratt.”

He eyed the women lining up. Spratt had connections in town or he wouldn’t still be free. “I’ll walk you back.” Weaving his fingers through hers, he didn’t have to play the part of besotted boyfriend. He was hers. Fully committed—professionally and personally. He walked her to the line and stuck by her side as if that was totally normal behavior, ignoring the judgy looks and less than subtle remarks about possessive guys.

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