Page 35 of The Spy Who Ghosted Me

I opened my eyes to find him gazing at me adoringly. “Please, let me keep you safe.”

I nodded, unable to speak. Holy heavens, I was in trouble, and not just because a diamond-smuggling wife killer was marrying my sister. Although, that was bad. Very bad.

“Let’s go see your family,” Cash said casually, like this was just another day at the office for him. I supposed it was.

Hand in hand, we walked down the trail.

“Just remember to treat Soren normally. No studying him or long glances. Let’s see if we can naturally find a way to do something with him and your sister as couples.”

“Uh ... okay,” I breathed out, not wishing to go on a double date with someone who may or may not slit my throat. The guy was a doctor, after all. He was probably quite proficient with knives.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” Cash promised.

“Um ... do you, like, pack heat?”

Cash chuckled. “Among other things.”

“Okay,” I strangled out. “Just checking.” What had I gotten myself wrapped up in?

“Don’t worry; it’s all going to be okay.”

That unfortunately sounded a lot like famous last words.

Cash

I COULDN’T TAKE MY EYES off Sabrina as she stepped onto the platform in the middle of her parents’ great room, wearing her bridesmaid gown. The seamstress had brought in the platform specifically for the occasion. This wedding had to be costing a fortune. Callie fussed over her daughter, making Sabrina smile as she turned for her mom like she was once again a little girl. She was anything but a girl now. She was a vision in dark-green silk that wrapped around every curve of her body, showing off the undeniable fact she was all woman. Lexi had made an excellent choice going with sleeveless bridesmaids’ gowns. Sabrina’s smooth skin and the straight line of her collarbone made me want to take her in my arms and kiss every inch of her. Not that she would let me. I was just glad for what she had allowed me. Kissing her again was a privilege I didn’t deserve, yet I relished every touch, knowing it would all end too soon.

“I used to have a perky butt like that.” Nana Rose smacked my backside, interrupting the sweet torture that was Sabrina.

I turned to face the cantankerous old woman with a mischievous grin who had been my constant companion since we’d arrived. “I’m sure it was lovely.”

“You have no idea.” She nudged me with her hip.

I laughed at her spunk.

“I see my granddaughter has decided to give you another chance. It makes me wonder what you will do with it?” she asked mysteriously, as if she knew something she shouldn’t.

“I plan to cherish it.” It was true. Unfortunately, it would be short lived, and Sabrina would probably hate me more than she already did when I disappeared again.

“Make sure you do. Sabrina has never been one to give her heart away carelessly—she’s always been a sensible girl. Not like this one over here.” She pointed at Lexi, who was laughing loudly with a group of her friends near the two-story stone fireplace in the middle of the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a picturesque view of the lake. The Belles’ house was everything Sabrina had painted it to be: inviting and luxurious without being ostentatious. It was much like Sabrina in that way.

I knew Sabrina’s sensibility, which no doubt made this situation even harder for her. If only her sister had Sabrina’s sense, I wouldn’t be here. Selfishly, I was grateful fate had placed me in Sabrina’s path again, even though I hated the danger she was in. “Perhaps Lexi will grow,” I offered.

Nana Rose cackled. “Honey, I love that child, but she always puts the cart in front of the horse, if you know what I mean.”

I got the drift. Lexi wasn’t the smartest girl, obviously. Not to say Izan hadn’t done his best to fool her, but maybe he was truly in love with Lexi. After all, she was beautiful and young, and she probably stroked his ego. Unfortunately, a man like Izan loved himself more than anyone. Sabrina probably thought the same of me, but little did she know I loathed myself as much as she did.

“Lucky for Lexi, Sabrina has always been there to right the cart,” Nana Rose added.

She had no idea how fortunate Lexi was and how much Sabrina was “righting” the cart. “She’s very lucky to have Sabrina in her life. We all are.”

Nana Rose eyed me carefully. “You best always remember that. And if you ever leave her again, don’t come back. Ya hear?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said loud and clear. I would never put Sabrina through this again.

“I’m glad we’re on the same page. Now get your tux on. I can’t wait to see you in it.”

I chuckled at her, but it was a good reminder that Callie had invited me to the dress fitting not to ogle her daughter but to be fitted for my groomsman tux. Hopefully it would be the first and last time I had to wear it. But I feared that with the wedding only five days away, I was running out of time to find those diamonds.

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