Page 8 of Island Holiday

Still not a ringing endorsement of the plan. “I’ve booked you into the property,” Jess said, “based on what you and Connor have learned so far.”

“Connor has found the most pertinent information,” Sonya said. “Thank you for discovering what I overlooked.” She worried her full lower lip with her teeth. “I won’t forgive myself if we can’t find those young women.”

The pain in her dark brown eyes nearly undid him.

“Take a breath,” he said. “I have good news on that front.” It was more than a little disconcerting to realize that he would’ve made something up, said just about anything, to take away that pain.

Then again Sonya wouldn’t appreciate anything less than the truth. Through previous online meetings and Hannah’s comments, he knew her to be strong enough to handle it. “The women we are most concerned about, the ones who did not return home as expected, are still using their phones and posting what appear to be current updates.”

“So, you have their locations,” Sonya said. “Are they all together?”

He hated to disappoint her. “Yes and no,” Connor cautioned. “Tracking shows they’re not together. But the social media for each woman is enthusiastic, if cryptic. Their devices are still in the states. The young woman who was in Charlotte is now in Kansas City.”

Sonya frowned in Zimmer’s general direction. “Why can’t we just go ask him what he’s up to?”

“I’m not about to let you scare him off,” Jess said under her breath. “We don’t have any clear proof that he’s doing anything illegal.”

“Three women aren’t where they should be,” Sonya snapped in a whisper. “Heisn’t where he should be.”

“Right.” Connor leaped into the fray before an argument drew Zimmer’s attention. “But we can find them. You’ll follow the money and I’ll follow the people. We can build on your solid start.”

“Exactly.” Jess smiled, a forced expression that was somewhat scary. “That’s the plan. Connor will work his magic tracking the people. Sonya works her magic tracking the money. Are we all in agreement?”

He waited, but she didn’t say anything more about his additional orders. There were concerns that Zimmer was aware of Sonya’s efforts, though they weren’t sure how significant the threat might be. Regardless, Connor had been instructed to keep watch and keep her safe.

“Absolutely,” Sonya said. She turned those big brown eyes on him. “I look forward to working with you.”

Working.Working. His impossible infatuation with her was on him. And he needed to be responsible and lock that down right now. Entertaining anything personal was a dumb idea. No matter how he wanted to reach for her hand, draw her close, and kiss her.

Finally kiss her.

He’d imagined that moment dozens of times in the last couple of years. Didn’t matter that he never expected to meet her. Maybe that was part of the allure, depressing as it was even inside his own head. Sonya was safe, the ideal girlfriend illusion, because face to face was so unlikely.

With Sonya, he could care without being called out over his personal baggage. He could keep an eye on her without any declarations or commitments. He could feel protective and helpful while keeping the ugly secrets in his past tucked out of sight where he didn’t have to share.

Working together only changed the temptation factor. Everything else was the same. And really, she wasn’t giving anyindication that she might be into him too, so he could just get over himself.

Fast.

They had three young women to find, preferably before the holidays. It didn’t matter to him that the students probably didn’t realize they were in danger. Until they found something definitive, Connor would keep digging.

“I’ll email the reservation information. Leave the recruiter to me for now,” she said without looking in Zimmer’s direction. Standing, she smiled at both of them. “First order of business is to get yourselves to the Charleston airport, the sooner the better. Happy holidays to you both.”

Connor swallowed his frustration. Clearly, he was expected to tell Sonya they’d tasked him with protecting her. Maybe it wouldn’t even come up. He didn’t want to sound like an arrogant know-it-all. He just wanted her to be comfortable—with the job and with him.

“New territory for both of us?” he asked.

Her chin bobbed. “Guess so.” She gathered her trash and pushed away from the table. “We’d best get going.”

He commended her discipline to not scan the area for Zimmer. “Too bad I won’t get a tour of Brookwell,” he said. “We should probably take my rental car and drop it off at the airport.” That would throw off anyone who might be following her.

She paused mid-stride. “What should I do with my car?”

“Oh.” He’d been making assumptions based on what he knew about her. That would get him in hot water fast. “We could leave it at the Ellington resort,” he suggested. “Aren’t you and Hannah spending the holidays with Harper’s family?”

She frowned. “I didn’t realize you and Hannah talked that much.”

“We’re both in the office most days.” He caught himself before he could over explain. “Or there’s always the hangar at the airport.”

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