Page 23 of The Millionaire's Mechanic

Laughing, Rainer shook his head. “Ever heard the expression ‘as pure as the driven snow’? You’re safe.”

“Good,” Georgia said, rubbing her hands. “Does your friend have any grenadine in that hidden bar?”

All the booze was discreetly tucked into a cabinet next to the dining table. Like the panel in the plane, it was disguised to blend in. But Rainer opened it before dinner every night to pour himself a few inches of something brown and expensive, almost always apologizing because she couldn’t partake while she was on painkillers.

“Planning to make snow cones?” he teased.

“As a matter of fact, I was,” she replied pertly.

He grinned again, but then his smile died. “I have some news from Powell.”

She could tell from his expression that it wasn’t the good kind. “What happened?”

“Nothing.” Rainer scowled. “A whole lot of nothing.”

Despite the snow slowly gathering in her hair, Georgia took a seat on one of the wide wooden chaise lounges covered in plastic to protect it from the elements. “So, he hasn’t found the kidnappers yet?”

“No,” Rainer confirmed. “The vehicle they drove was abandoned at a supermarket not far from your house. It had been stolen a few days earlier from a mall parking lot across town. Powell and his men are still combing through all the traffic-cam footage in the vicinity.”

Georgia absorbed that in silence.

“We will get them,” Rainer promised. “You’ll be able to go home, just not as soon as you hoped.”

But as long as she was with him, that part didn’t sting. Nope, that came when she remembered what was awaited her back in San Diego. “I almost forgot… I don’t have one of those anymore.”

No longer enthused about the snow, she brushed off the flakes that had settled in her hair. “We’re going to have to go condo-hunting when I get back.” Hopefully, the proceeds from the sale would be enough to get them a nice one, someplace Ephraim could use to meet clients.

Rainer stirred. “Yeah…about that. I’m part-owner of the building where we stashed Ephraim. You’re welcome to stay in the apartment with him until you two get back on your feet—no charge.”

Georgia bristled. Diamond hadn’t raised her to take charity. “We’ll be fine.”

Rainer sighed. “Georgia, don’t do that. I’m part of the reason you’re in this mess.”

She was tempted to stick her tongue out at him. “Ephraim’s old partner is the reason we had to sell the house. The move was coming—your situation just sped it up.”

“That doesn’t change the fact you had to move before you were ready.” He peeled himself off the doorjamb, sitting in the chaise lounge opposite her. “And the apartment I arranged is a nice one. Plenty of space and natural light. It’s on the waterfront. Gorgeous views of the Pacific.”

She groaned. “That only makes it worse. Ephraim won’t ever go for living at your place rent-free.”

The corner of his mouth kicked up, making the butterflies in her stomach take flight. “So, I’ll charge him rent. Something reasonable.”

Georgia could tell from the calculation in his expression that it would be pennies on the dollar.

She pointed a finger at him. “Don’t think he won’t know it won’t be market price. He’s very savvy.”

Bracing his weight on his hands, he leaned back, stretching sideways on the lounger.

“All right. So maybe we don’t tell him exactly when Powell gives us the all-clear. We’ll catch the kidnappers, but tell Ephraim there might be a known associate in the wind. We can tell him there’s no chance of them making a play, but that it will be better to stay put just in case.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“Because the building he’s in is safe, with plenty of cameras and full-time security guards.”

He leaned forward. “Ephraim will stay if there’s even a hint that your safety is still in question. You know he will.”

Georgia narrowed her eyes. “Sneaky.”

He winked. “It will work if you don’t rat me out.”

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